What You Need to Know About the Dordogne Department
When we talk about department 24 of France, we know that it is actually the Dordogne. And unlike many French departments, it is a rural department located in the southern part of the country. Its prefecture and capital is called Périgueux and is part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. This department owes its name to the river that runs through it, that is, the Dordogne River. Otherwise, the territory occupied by the Dordogne department is the department of the former county of Périgord.
The sub-prefectures of the Dordogne department are Bergerac, Nontron, and Sarlat-la-Canéda. It is also noted that the area of the territory occupied by said department is 9060 km2 and the population living there is 413,223 km2. Thus, the population density per km2 of the Dordogne is 46, making this department the 58th most populated in France. Finally, in Dordogne, there are 504 communes, 25 cantons, and 4 arrondissements.
What Is the Climate Like in the Dordogne Department?
Indeed, the climate of department 24, the Dordogne, is classified as an oceanic type climate. It is characterized by the fact that all seasons are pleasant and more or less temperate. This results from the fact that the Gulf Stream, which is a marine current, is very present throughout the territory of the Dordogne.
In this western part of the Dordogne, the coasts are warmed by warm waters. Moreover, temperatures constantly vary and depending on the sunshine of each area of the department, the climate differs.
As one moves into the western zone of the department, the influence of the warm marine currents of the Atlantic Ocean gradually decreases. Then, the climate shifts from oceanic to a temperate climate like that of Aquitaine. However, as one enters the mountainous part of the Massif Central, the climate becomes semi-mountainous.
Generally, spring is the season when it rains a lot; it is a pleasant season with mild temperatures and alternations between clouds and sun.
- When we talk about summer, it is actually a dry season with lots of sunshine.
- Then there is autumn, which is a beautiful season with mild weather and a bit of humidity that gradually comes in.
- And finally, for winter, there is snow and frost, but the snowfall is not very significant.
On the other hand, there are significant fluctuations when observing the climate in the north and south of the department. Indeed, there is a drop in temperature in the north during winter, and in summer, it is also cooler. This could be the result of elevation. Regarding sunshine, in Dordogne, there are about 2000 hours of annual sunshine, which is very high compared to the French average.
Which Departments Border the Dordogne Department?
The Dordogne is bordered by 7 departments, a record never reached in France: Charente-Maritime, Haute-Vienne, Lot, Gironde, Charente, Corrèze, and Lot-et-Garonne.
What Are the Best Cities in the Dordogne Department?
To make this ranking, we based it on the most visited cities in the Dordogne department
- Saint Cyprien
- Saint-Jean-de-Côle
- Brantôme
- Bergerac
- Sarlat-la-Canéda
- Siorac de Ribérac
- Saint-Maime-de-Péreyrol
- Périgueux
- Domme
- Belvès
What are the best municipalities in the Dordogne department?
For this first ranking of the municipalities of Dordogne, we based it on the population density per km2, so here are the most populated municipalities of Dordogne:
- Bassillac et Auberoche
- Jumilhac-le-Grand
- Saint-Saud-Lacoussière
- Le Buisson-de-Cadouin
- Sorges et Ligueux en Périgord
- La Roche-Chalais
- Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac
- Bergerac
- Payzac
- Sarlat-la-Canéda
For this second ranking, we based it on the area of the municipalities in km2, so here are the largest municipalities of Dordogne:
- Périgueux
- Sarlat-la-Canéda
- Trélissac
- Terrasson-Lavilledieu
- Saint-Astier
- Bergerac
- Coulounieix-Chamiers
- Boulazac Isle Manoire
- Montpon-Ménestérol
- Bassillac et Auberoche
