DESCRIPTION :

On this 2 day tour depart for Sarlat & the Dordogne region famous for its prehistoric sites & caves such as Lascaux or Font de Gaume, its villages that are often classified as most beautiful of France and its mighty castles that for many date back to the hundred years war.

DAY 1 : BEYNAC / LA ROQUE GAGEAC / SARLAT WALKING TOUR

As you travel to Sarlat discover the village of Beynac to admire the village and Castle. This Middle Ages construction, with its austere appearance, is perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town and the north bank of the Dordogne River. The castle was built from the 12th century by the barons of Beynac (one of the four baronies of Périgord) to close the valley. The sheer cliff face being sufficient to discourage any assault from that side, the defenses were built up on the plateau: double crenelated walls, double moats, one of which was a deepened natural ravine, double barbican. Then reach the village of La Roque Gageac. Located at the foot of a south-facing cliff, the creamy stone houses with their "lauze" stone slab or brown-tiled roofs are mirrored in the waters of the River Dordogne where the famous "gabarres" (traditional flat-bottomed boats) laden with goods used to pass in the 19C. Here, enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the River Dordogne to admire the landscape and some of the castles of the region. Finally, follow your guide on a walking tour of Sarlat. The town developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the towns most representative of 14th to 16th century France. During the guided tour you will discover the most famous monuments and buildings of the town including the mysterious "Lantern of the Dead".

Depart from Bordeaux and visit the villages of Beynac and La Roque Gageac and why not enjoy a boat ride on the River Dordogne. Finish the day with a guided walking tour of Sarlat

DAY 2 : FONT DE GAUME CAVE / LASCAUX CAVE / BORDEAUX

Today experience the best of Prehistoric Perigord with the visit of two of the most prestigious caves in the world. Commence with the visit of Font de Gaume cave. Discovered in 1901, it is the last remaining cave that bears polychrome paintings on the walls and that date back to the Magdelenian period of prehistory. To date, 230 figures have been recorded in the cave, and it is thought that more are still to be revealed. Font de Gaume holds over 200 polychrome paintings and is considered the best example of polychrome painting other than Lascaux. The paintings in include depictions of more than 80 bison, 40 horses and more than 20 mammoth depictions. After the visit, head for Montignac to experience Lascaux II. More than just a reproduction, the cave is a perfect reconstitution of the original and took more than 20 years to create. Lascaux II, which represents two of the original cave halls — the Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery — was opened in 1983, 200 meters from the original. The most famous section of the cave is The Great Hall of the Bulls where bulls, equines and stags are depicted. The four black bulls are the dominant figures among the 36 animals represented here. One of the bulls is 17 feet (5.2 m) long — the largest animal discovered so far in cave art. Additionally, the bulls appear to be in motion. To visit these two caves during the day is an ideal way in which to approach the sophisticated art of our ancestors. Return to Bordeaux.

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