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Sarlat-la-Canéda
A Private Day Trip From Sarlat to Padirac Chasm & Rocamadour Village
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private tours
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Sightseeing
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08 hours
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Small Groups ( 2~8 )
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Active
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Multi-languages
English Français
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
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Highlights
- One of the most stunning visits of the area: Padirac Chasm
- Rocamadour: a castle set above a sanctuary set above a village
- Tour the spectacularly perched Notre Dame chapel
- Enjoy free time to wander and stroll the village of Rocamadour
- Dordogne Tour can be customized to suit your interests
- Local Tour Guide, Expert of the Dordogne & Lot Region
Program & Itinerary
Meet your English speaking local guide, expert of Padirac & Rocamadour
Today, meet your English speaking guide who is an expert of the Dordogne and who will go over the itinerary and program of this full day tour with you. Then, board your spacious, comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to the Quercy region of France.
Travel in a spacious Mercedes Minivan
Your private Sarlat Sightseeing Tour will take place in one of our very spacious Mercedes Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons normally but on this occasion, the vehicle will only be for you. This allows you to choose the seat that you think best in terms of social distancing while still enjoying the information passed on by your guide.
All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access on all tour vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles.
One of the most stunning visits of the area: Padirac Chasm
After a drive of just over an hour, arrive in Padirac. Experience a unique visit of one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena of the region as you plunge in an unexpected underground world of the Gouffre de Padirac.
The chasm itself is 103 m (338 ft) deep, with a diameter of approximately 35 meters (115 ft). The flooded network of Padirac Chasm is the second longest in the world after those located in the Yucatan province of Mexico.
The visit of this vertiginous chasm begins with a 75 meter descent via a lift before actually entering the cave system. Following the descent, enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the mysterious subterranean River.
Then, disembark and walk along a path that will take you through large caves decorated with stunning gigantic limestone concretions. After the walk, you will return by boat to your original departure point and take the lift back up to reach the outside world. Once outside, your full day tour will continue towards a gem of the Quercy region.
Rocamadour: A Castle set above a sanctuary set above a village
After the visit of Padirac, board the minivan and head to the nearby village of Rocamadour. Miraculous rock, collection of tales, legends and beliefs, sanctuary of the Black Virgin, pilgrimage site: the Village of Rocamadour is all of this at the same time.
The old medieval houses, the towers and fortifications, the oratories all tumble along the steep cliff that dominates the Alzou Canyon. The whole site is topped off by the castle and its dungeon and the seven sanctuaries. Your tour guide will certainly stop here for a breathtaking view of the whole site that make for fantastic photo opportunities.
Depending on your time of arrival, you will either follow a guided walking tour of the village or enjoy some free time. For lunch, there are many restaurants & snacks to be found in the village and your guide will make the adequate suggestions depending on what type of meal you are looking for.
The name of the village probably originates from the association of St Amador or Amadour of whom the relics were discovered in 1166 in the heart of the sanctuary and roca (cliff).
This beautiful village is renowned for its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which for centuries has brought pilgrims from every country, among them kings, bishops, and nobles.
Follow your guide and stroll through the streets of the medieval village. You will then reach the steps that will take you to the middle part of the village where the church square is located, Place St Amadour, surrounded by its 7 sanctuaries.
The 216 or so steps that make up the Great Staircase takes visitors from the lower part of town to the religious complex. In the middle age, pilgrims would go up the steps on their knees.
Visit the Monastic buildings in the sanctuary
Upon arrival, your guide will introduce you to the sanctuary. Try and find the legendary sword of Roland, named Durandal, that is embedded in the cliff. The sword landed in Rocamadour as Roland, the nephew of Charlemagne, threw it from the battlefield so that no one would ever be able to use it again.
Once you have reached the sanctuary, visit the renowned Notre Dame Chapel, part of an extraordinary 13th-century chapel complex. Inside, your guide will certainly talk to you about the Black Madonna statue that was carved from a walnut tree in the 12th century.
Hanging from the ceiling are a number of ship models, given by thankful survivors that were saved from shipwrecks by calling upon the Black Madonna. Each time a ship was saved it is said that the miraculous bell, also located in the Chapel, would ring once.
Facing Notre Dame chapel, admire the beautiful frescoes that represent the Annunciation and Visitation and that date back to the 12th century.
Enjoy some free time for personal discovery
After the visit of the sanctuary, you will have some free time to visit on your own. If you make your way out of the sanctuary at the same level it will be possible for you to reach the Castle that is located above the Sanctuary. The Castle itself cannot be visited but it is possible to follow the remparts for stunning views over the Alzou canyon.
Another option is to make your way down back to the village and take some time to stroll through the main street and shop for local souvenirs. There are a number of arts & crafts shop that make for perfect presents.
Return to Sarlat at the end of the day. Other great trips that can be taken include our private tours to Saint Cirq Lapopie, Collonges la Rouge or to the small villages of the Dordogne valley. See below for recommendations.
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Meet your Guide at your Accomodation in Sarlat
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Visit of Padirac Chasm
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Guided walking tour of Rocamadour and its sanctuary
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Free time for lunch (at own expense) and personal discovery in Rocamadour
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Depart from Rocamadour and enjoy a relaxing drive along the Dordogne valley
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Drop off at your accommodation in Sarlat
Gallery





Know before you book
- Tour available from April to October
- 8 hour Padirac & Rocamadour Private tour from Sarlat
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Entrance tickets to Padirac can be purchased during booking process
- Warm jackets are highly recommended – 14°C (57F) inside the caves
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
- Prices are per group from 2 to 8 persons - Larger groups please contact us
- Currency is in Euros
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available for travelers and staff
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
Meeting point
Departure
Other possible pick up locations :
- Montignac
- Les Eyzies de Tayac
- Beynac, La Roque Gageac, Domme
Return
Reviews
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Patrick R
20, May 2019
An Excellent Way to See Dordogne My wife and I visited the Dordogne region and stayed in Sarlat. The region is beautiful, but it is difficult to see it...
Included / excluded
Included
- Guided walking tour of Rocamadour
- Reservations for Padirac Chasm
- English-speaking driver guide, Expert of the Dordogne
- Travel in recent, comfortable & fully equipped minivan
- Bottled water in the minivan
- Free WiFi access on board
Excluded
- Entrance fees to the Padirac Chasm
- Elevator in Rocamadour
- Personal insurance and expenses
- Meals, drinks & wine tasting fees
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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Do you organize pick up and return at accommodation for Sarlat private tours?
Yes, absolutely, we will come and pick you up at your hotel or accommodation in Sarlat. We can also pick you up within a radius of 30kms (20 miles) around Sarlat at no extra cost. -
What type of vehicles are used during your private tours from Sarlat?
Our company uses only Mercedes Vito Tourer 8 seater minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows, large leg space and on board P/A system for commentaries by the guide. -
Who conducts these Dordogne private tours from Sarlat?
We only employ fully accredited, licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of the National Prehistory Museum, guided walking tours in villages such as Rocamadour, visit of historical monuments and so on. In the Dordogne, all our guides are experts in History & Culture. All have a large experience in Paleolithic Art and conduct tours in both Caves & Castles. -
How strenuous is this tour to Padirac & Rocamadour?
Concerning Padirac:Persons with mobility issues are advised to go down by lift. However, please note that there are a further 70 steps to reach the level of the Underground River - 103 metres underground. You will then need to board a small boat.
The gallery tour includes several sets of steps. Access to the Salle du Grand Dôme involves 150 steps going up and 150 steps going down.
Concerning Rocamadour: Rocamadour is a medieval village. This implies that there are cobblestone streets that can be difficult to walk on. Also, the sanctuary is located in the middle part of the village and to reach it implies that you will need to climb stairs. However, there is a possibility of taking an elevator but this will be at your own expense. -
Is it cold inside Padirac Chasm?
Yes, you will need to bring some warm clothing for the visit. Inside the chasm the temperature is of 13°C (55.5°F). We also advise that you wear comfortable walking shoes as there are uneven soils inside the chasm. -
How long is the visit in Padirac Chasm?
The tour as a whole, starting in the Reception Hall, lasts for about 1½ hours, depending on your pace of exploration; You will cover a distance (out and back) of about 2.2 km (1.5 miles) , including 500 metres in a boat. -
Can I take photos during our tour in the Padirac Chasm
Flash-free photography and filming are tolerated during your visit on foot but are prohibited during the boat trip for reasons of safety and comfort of visit.
Warning: Selfie sticks are strictly forbidden everywhere on the site for safety reasons.
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How many steps will we have to climb in Rocamadour?
Once you have visited the village, you will arrive in front of the Great Staircase. This is the main pilgramage way to arrive at the sanctuary. There are about 216 stairs to climb so this can be challanging for some persons. Howere, there is an option to take an elevator for those that have walking issues or that feel that the climb will be too strenuous. The return price for the elevator is under 4€ at time of writing (11/2020). -
Is lunch included on this private tour from Sarlat?
No, we never include lunch on our private full day tours from Sarlat. If you would like to include a lunch in a local restaurant don't hesitate to reach out and our travel advisors will take care of your restaurant reservation. Also, don't hesitate to ask your guide in the morning for recommendations.
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