This itinerary provides an immersive experience in the cultural, natural, and gastronomic riches of the Dordogne and its beautiful surroundings. There is so much to do in this area of France, from cycling, to canoeing or kayaking down the Dordogne, exploring the Lascaux caves or visiting old castles. You could fill many weeks over with interesting activities. It is a popular region for very good reason.
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Here is our sample itinerary:
Day 1: Sarlat and the Dordogne Valley
The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times is a pleasure to visit, especially during the spring and autumn, or early in the morning. If you can catch the early morning sunshine on the yellow sandstone buildings it is really beautiful.
It is the most well known town in the region and it is a magnet for tourists, with a fantastic selection of restaurants serving local food, shops etc.
Market day in Sarlat is quite an experience but we really do recommend getting there early.
We then recommend heading to the medieval town of Domme, which overlooks the Dordogne river. It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. You can visit the ramparts and appreciate the medieval architecture that is immaculately preserved.
Finally, why not end the day with a visit of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle castle?
Day 2: Dordogne Valley Boat Ride
Visit the beautiful village of Beynac, which, like Domme, has a fortified castle. The 12th century castle is one of the best preserved and most authentic in the region, and offers breathtaking views of the valley of the 5 castles and the Dordogne river. The walk in the village is also to do because it has preserved all its authenticity.
There are boat rides that depart from Beynac (more information here) which are a great way to appreciate the local countryside, and the riverside castles.
Day 3: Grotte de Lascaux
The Grotte de Lascaux, or Lascaux Cave, is a network of caves in teh Vézère valley that is famous for their prehistoric cave paintings and carvings. The caves are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are often called the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”.
Day 4: Walk
Walk from Sergeac to St Léon sur Vézère (approx 1 hour) with a good lunch at the end in St Léon sur Vézère.
You could then visit the village of Madeleine. Located in a loop in the Vézère, north of Eyzies, the troglodyte village of Madeleine is one of the best examples of the long tradition of human occupation in this area of Périgord Noir. The prehistoric deposit is found at the foot of the cliff. It has particular stone and bone tools and many works of art which have enabled the definition of a new period in the evolution of Cro-Magnon.
5. Rocamadour
Not only is the village one of France’s most important tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also been a crucial pilgrimage site on the ‘Way of Saint James’ for hundreds of years.
Rising up 120 metres, this vertiginous Citadel of Faith is best summed up by an old local saying: ‘Houses on the river, churches on the houses, rocks on the churches, castle on the rock’.
And of course there is the cheese! A speciality in Rocamadour and the Quercy Limestone plateaus, Rocamadour cheese or ‘Cabécou’ is made with unpasteurized goat’s milk and has been designated the AOC quality label. In the shape of a small disk, Rocamadour cheese can either be eaten warm on a slice of walnut bread or in a salad and will undoubtedly tickle any cheese lover’s tastebuds. It is seriously delicious.
At the end of September there is a hot air balloon festival which is a beautiful sight to behold. It starts in Rocamadour.
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