Destination Guides
Living in Dordogne and Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Bordeaux, Périgueux or Sarlat?
Compare Bordeaux, Périgueux and Sarlat, understand Dordogne rental and renovation budgets, and choose a southwestern France base around everyday needs.
For Americans considering moving to southwestern France, the appeal is easy to understand: historic stone buildings, countryside, food traditions and access to celebrated wine regions.
But Bordeaux, Périgueux and Sarlat offer different ways of living. Choosing between them means deciding how much you value city convenience, a smaller-town setting or space in the countryside.
Housing prices can be attractive, particularly in parts of Dordogne. However, a rental budget of €400–€800 per month or a property advertised below €100,000 needs context. Neither figure should be taken as a promise of a spacious, ready-to-occupy home in every location.
Understand the Geography Before Choosing a Home
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the wider region. Dordogne is one of its departments and includes Périgueux and Sarlat-la-Canéda. Bordeaux is in the neighbouring department of Gironde.
That distinction matters when searching for property. A Bordeaux apartment, a home in central Périgueux and a farmhouse outside Sarlat are separate housing searches with different practical considerations.
Start by choosing the type of daily life you want:
- A city base with activities and services close by.
- A smaller town where you can manage regular errands locally.
- A village or rural property where space takes priority over immediate convenience.
Only then compare prices. A lower purchase price is less useful if the location makes your everyday life difficult.
Bordeaux: Consider It as a City Choice
Bordeaux deserves a place on your shortlist if you want to explore southwestern France while living in an urban setting.
The important decision is whether you want the city itself or the surrounding countryside. Being attracted to Bordeaux’s wine country does not necessarily mean you would enjoy living outside the city, just as enjoying city visits does not mean you want an apartment there.
When assessing a neighbourhood, test the journeys you expect to make regularly. Consider groceries, social activities and transport connections alongside the property’s appearance.
Set a Separate Bordeaux Rental Budget
Do not apply a Dordogne rental estimate automatically to Bordeaux.
The local rental observatory recorded a median rent of €12.60 per square metre per month, excluding charges, across the Bordeaux agglomeration in 2024. This covers existing private rentals across a wider area; it is not a current quotation for a furnished apartment in central Bordeaux.
Use it as background information, then compare current properties of the size and type you need. Central location, furnishing and tenancy terms can all change the comparison.
Périgueux: Explore a Town-Based Life in Dordogne
Périgueux is worth investigating if you want a Dordogne base without beginning your search with an isolated rural property.
Its historic appeal extends beyond medieval streets. Dordogne’s tourism organisation highlights its Roman heritage, including the Vésone tower and Vesunna museum.
For a relocation decision, however, focus as much on ordinary routines as on heritage. Walk from prospective homes to the shops and services you expect to use. Check whether the route is comfortable and whether the property works for you throughout the day.
What Might €400–€800 a Month Cover?
Current advertised rentals in Périgueux include apartments within the €400–€800 monthly range. Examples listed in October 2026 include smaller furnished properties and some larger unfurnished apartments. These are asking prices, and availability can change.
That makes the range a useful starting point for an apartment search in Périgueux. It does not establish a standard price for detached houses, renovated country homes or accommodation throughout Dordogne.
Compare floor area, condition and included charges before deciding which listing offers better value.
Sarlat: Historic Surroundings and a Different Daily Rhythm
Sarlat’s appeal is closely tied to its preserved medieval centre, stone buildings and market. These are central features highlighted by the local tourism organisation.
For someone moving to France, the question is whether to live within that historic setting or use the surrounding area as a base.
A central property may suit someone who wants to step outside into town. A countryside home may provide more space but should be assessed against the journeys and upkeep it requires.
Test the Location Beyond a Holiday Visit
Before committing, visit at different times and, if possible, in another season.
Check practical details that photographs cannot answer:
- Can you reach the entrance easily with shopping?
- Where would you park if you need a car?
- How much noise reaches the living room and bedrooms?
- Is the rental available for the full period you need?
- How convenient are your regular journeys?
An attractive holiday setting can still be the right place to live, but it needs to work during ordinary weeks as well.
Can You Buy a Stone Property for Under €100,000?
Some Dordogne properties are advertised below €100,000, including renovation projects. One current listing advertises a farmhouse near Saint-Cyprien for €85,000 and explicitly describes it as requiring complete renovation. That supports a qualified affordability claim, rather than a general promise of inexpensive, move-in-ready farmhouses.
The distinction is crucial: buying the building and making it suitable for your life are separate costs.
Assess the Work Before Comparing Prices
Before making an offer, arrange an appropriate independent assessment and obtain written estimates for necessary work.
Ask about:
- The condition of the roof, walls and floors.
- Signs of damp or water penetration.
- Heating, insulation and likely running costs.
- Electrical and plumbing installations.
- Drainage arrangements.
- Access, boundaries and outbuildings.
- Whether your proposed alterations need permission.
Do not assume that the standard sale documents answer every question about a building’s condition. Ask your advisers what has been checked and what requires further investigation.
The useful comparison is the total cost of acquiring, repairing and maintaining the property—not simply the advertised price.
Budget for the Home and the Lifestyle Around It
A lower rent or purchase price can create room in your budget, but assess the full monthly cost.
For rentals, confirm whether building charges, water and heating are included. Keep electricity, internet, deposits and any applicable fees visible in your calculations.
For a rural purchase, consider how you would manage shopping, appointments, maintenance and visits from friends or family. If you expect to work remotely, verify connectivity at the actual address before committing.
Space is an advantage when you can comfortably manage both the property and the routines it creates.
Finding Community After Moving to Dordogne
The established English-speaking community is part of the region’s appeal for international movers. Treat it as a starting point for making connections rather than a guarantee that every village will offer the same social opportunities.
During a scouting visit, look for activities you would genuinely attend. Ask how often groups meet and whether they operate throughout the year.
Building some French into your routine will also help you participate more independently in local life. The aim is to choose a place where you can develop relationships, rather than relying solely on the presence of other expatriates.
Choosing Your Base in Southwestern France
Bordeaux, Périgueux and Sarlat belong on different shortlists: a city search, a town-based Dordogne search and a historic-town or surrounding-countryside search.
Begin with your everyday needs, then test the housing budget against suitable properties. If a stone farmhouse is your goal, establish the likely work and total cost before allowing the asking price to drive the decision.
If you are considering moving to Dordogne or the wider Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, contact Vantage Point Europe to discuss your plans and connections to independent providers who can help you take the next steps toward relocating to France.