Travelling with 15, 18 or 20 people is a wonderful opportunity to bring the whole family or a large group of friends together for a few days. But organising group holidays in Dordogne involves more than simply finding a house with enough beds.

Once you arrive, other questions become just as important. Where will everyone eat together? Will the children have enough space to play? Are there enough bathrooms? And, perhaps most importantly, do 20 people really want to live under the same roof for an entire week?

Here are the things we believe are genuinely worth considering before you book.

One large house or several cottages on the same property?

This is probably the first question to ask.

A large house allows everyone to stay under the same roof. It is sociable and easy to organise. But with 15 or 20 people, everyone may have very different routines: young children going to bed early, teenagers staying up late, and grandparents perhaps appreciating a little more peace and quiet.

Another option is to choose several cottages on the same property. The group can spend the day together, share the swimming pool, garden and meals, while everyone still has their own accommodation to return to when they want some privacy.

This is the arrangement we offer at La Petite Auberge. Le Poulailler sleeps 2, Le Fournil sleeps 4 and La Grande Maison sleeps 15. Booked together, the three cottages can accommodate up to 21 guests, with 9 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms in total.

→ Discover our three cottages for groups of up to 21 guests

For 20 people, living spaces matter just as much as beds

This is probably one of the easiest things to overlook when booking online.

A property may sleep 20 people without necessarily having enough space for 20 people to sit comfortably together for drinks or dinner.

We discovered this ourselves at La Petite Auberge. As we began welcoming more groups booking all three cottages together, our existing outdoor furniture was no longer quite suitable. We therefore added large outdoor tables where everyone can eat together, while keeping smaller tables in different parts of the garden for anyone who wants a quieter moment.

So before booking, look beyond the number of beds. Dining space, terraces, living rooms, kitchens and outdoor areas all make a considerable difference to everyday life when travelling with a large group.

Sort out the bedrooms before you arrive

Choosing bedrooms takes five minutes when there are four of you. With 20 people, it can become rather more complicated!

Before your holiday, make a simple list of couples, children and single guests. Think about individual needs too: young children who need to be close to their parents, early risers, or grandparents who may prefer a quieter space.

Then look at the layout of the accommodation and decide who is sleeping where before you arrive.

When staying in several cottages, another option is to divide the accommodation between families. Everyone has their own space while still spending the day with the rest of the group.

And don’t overlook the bathrooms. At La Petite Auberge, the three cottages provide seven bathrooms between them. With 21 guests, that makes quite a difference in the morning.

Do you really need to do everything together when travelling as a group?

Probably not!

In fact, that is one of the pleasures of a group holiday: everyone can spend time together without having to organise every day like a school trip.

Some people may want to visit a market in the morning. Others might prefer a château or a vineyard. And part of the group may be perfectly happy doing absolutely nothing and staying beside the pool.

Around Eymet and Bergerac, there is plenty of choice, making it easy for everyone to plan different days.

To help plan your stay, you can explore some of our guides:

→ 5 villages not to miss during your holiday in the Périgord Pourpre
→ Family holidays in the Dordogne: 10 unmissable things to do near Eymet and Bergerac
→ Walking Trails in the Périgord Pourpre: Scenic Routes & Local Tips
→ Wines of Bergerac and Duras: our favourite estates to visit

You can also discover why we love the Périgord Pourpre and why it is such a great base for a holiday in the Dordogne.

For current events, visits and activities taking place during your stay, you can also check the Bergerac Sud Dordogne Tourist Office.

The little details that become important with 15 or 20 people

When travelling with a large group, some things that might normally seem unimportant suddenly matter a great deal.

Parking is one example: how many cars can the property accommodate? Also think about the kitchen and food storage, particularly if you plan to prepare most of your meals yourselves.

The number of toilets and bathrooms obviously matters, as do the different spaces where people can relax without necessarily staying with the whole group.

If several families are travelling together, check what is available for younger guests too: a travel cot, high chair, games or outdoor play areas can all make life easier.

At La Petite Auberge, we can provide baby equipment, books and games on request.

Children and dogs: two things worth checking carefully

When several families travel together, there are often plenty of children too. A large garden, swimming pool and activities available directly at the property can make a huge difference.

At La Petite Auberge, the garden covers around 3 hectares. Children can enjoy the play equipment and trampoline, while the rest of the group can choose between the swimming pool, pétanque, table tennis, badminton… or simply a sun lounger.

If you are bringing a dog, it is also worth checking exactly what “pets welcome” means. Is there an additional charge? Are the grounds enclosed? Is there a private outdoor area?

At La Petite Auberge, pets are welcome at no extra charge. The grounds are not fully enclosed, but each of our three cottages has its own private enclosed terrace.

What about food and wine?

Food is often a big part of a group holiday in the Dordogne, especially when everyone can gather around a large table at the end of the day.

Local markets, bakeries and producers make it easy to discover regional specialities during your stay. And if your group includes wine lovers, the vineyards around Bergerac and Duras offer plenty of opportunities for tastings and visits.

We have put together a selection of some of our favourite local estates to help you plan a day out:

→ Wines of Bergerac and Duras: our favourite estates to visit

Planning group holidays in Dordogne? Book early

A couple can sometimes decide to get away at the last minute. For 15 or 20 people, it is obviously rather more complicated.

You need to find dates that work for several families as well as accommodation large enough for everyone. If you also want a swimming pool, plenty of bedrooms, outdoor space and specific dates during the school holidays, the number of suitable properties quickly becomes smaller.

It is therefore worth starting your search well in advance, particularly for July and August.

Before booking, take a little time to check the conditions too: the deposit required, arrival times, whether linen is provided, pet policies and cancellation terms.

Planning your next group holiday in Dordogne with family or friends?

At La Petite Auberge, near Eymet, our three independent cottages can be booked together to accommodate up to 21 guests.

Together they provide 9 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, with a large garden, swimming pool and plenty of space to spend time together.

→ Discover our cottages for groups of up to 21 guests

→ See our prices and availability

→ Book directly online

And if you have any questions about how the cottages are arranged or organising your stay:

→ Contact us