VILLAGE LIFE IN THE DORDOGNE

On this four day tour in the Dordogne based in Sarlat, your own personal driver/guide will make you discover the best the Dordogne region has to offer.

Pickup will be at centrally located Place Pasteur bus stop and you will depart towards the main attractions this unique region offers. Small traditional Dordogne villages will be yours to discover as many are classified amongst the “most beautiful of France”.

The region also boasts some of the most incredible medieval castles as this was the region where the French and English armies faced each other during the 100 years war. Amongst these castles you will see the ones in Beynac, Castelnaud and Marqueyssac that also presents some of the most beautiful gardens of the Dordogne.

Certainly one of the main features of the tour will be the visit of Lascaux II cave. The Dordogne is famous in the world for having the largest number of cave paintings in a sole location. Not only will you visit the most famous of them all but we will take you to Rouffignac to see some original paintings.

Itinerary:

Day 1: SARLAT / DORDOGNE BOAT RIDE / DOMME

In the morning, follow a guided walking tour of historic Sarlat, a rich merchant town of the 18th century. In the afternoon drive to the beautiful village of La Roque Gageac. Enjoy a boat ride on the Dordogne on board an authentic Gabarre to admire mighty castles that line the river. Then reach the small villages of Beynac and Domme, classified as most beautiful villages of France. Walking tour in the villages and free time.

Day 2: PADIRAC ABYSS / ROCAMADOUR / EYRIGNAC MANOR GARDENS

Set off on an excursion to the Padirac abyss, a natural, 75 metre chasm that shows on the limestone plateau of the "Causse de Gramat" in the Lot, below which, at 103 metres underground flows a river. Visit and boat ride in the Abyss. Then off to the pilgrimage and fortress town of Rocamadour. Visit the renowned Notre Dame Chapel, part of an extraordinary 13th-century chapel complex perched on a cliff and one of the most dramatic pilgrimage sites in Europe. Finally stop at the Gardens of Eyrignac Manor, which are among the most famous and beautiful in France.

Day 3 : ROUFFIGNAC CAVE / LES EYZIES DE TAYAC / LASCAUX II CAVE

Some 15,000 years B.C. unknown painters created breathtaking cave paintings of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area. During this day, visit Rouffignac cave that possess original and authentic paintings. Then enjoy some time in Les Eyzies where one can visit an authentic shelter or the National Prehistory Museum (optional). In the afternoon, visit of Lascaux II a perfect reproduction of the original cave.

Day 4: MIGHTY CASTLES AND SMALL VILLAGES OF THE DORDOGNE

In the morning, depart towards the Dordogne valley. Discover and visit the mighty castle of Castelnaud a medieval fortress overlooking the Dordogne River, erected to face its rival, the Château de Beynac. Then off to Belvès, perched on a rocky spur above the Nauze Valley the village boasts 7 bell towers and has miraculously managed to preserve superb relics of its built heritage. Our next stop is Limeuil famous as it is the location where the movie “Chocolat” was filmed. End the day with the visit of the Castle and Gardens of Marqueyssac: listed as a National Historical Monument it offers more than 6 kilometres of shaded paths, edged with 150 000 hand-pruned hundred year old boxwoods.

End of our services.

PRICE: 310€ PER PERSON - SCHEDULED TOUR

1520€ PER MINIVAN - PRIVATE TOUR (2-7 passengers)

Schedule Details

4-Day Village life in the Dordogne tour based in Sarlat

Inclusions:

o Transport in luxury air-conditioned minivan

o Entrance fees to monuments listed (not included for private tours)

o Services of a professional English speaking driver/guide

o Pick up and drop off at Place Pasteur bus station

o Pick up and drop off at your hotel (private tours only)

o Visit of Rouffignac and Lascaux II caves

o Visit of Eyrignac gardens, Rocamadour and Padirac Abyss