Dordogne Walk

Arrive at the Bordeaux airport and join the group transfer to our charming hotel located in Les Eyzies, known as the capital of prehistory.

Today, we concentrate on the little town of Les Eyzies. Our walk takes us past some of the most important rock shelters in the Dordogne, where our ancestors lived more than 20,000 years ago. After lunch, visit the great caves of Font-de-Gaume, the only place in the world that original polychromatic cave paintings can be seen by the public. Next take in the exhibits of the National Museum of Prehistory, which is tucked into a rock shelter and displays extraordinary findings and ancient stone working techniques.

Our route this morning leads us along the Vézère Valley, the Valley of Man, where so many remains of our stone age ancestors survive. After a picnic lunch by the beautiful Romanesque church of St. Léon, continue by road or on foot as we return via the pre-historic rock shelters of the valley to our hotel.

The history of the Hundred Years' War is encapsulated in these two bastions, separated by the meandering Dordogne River. Stop first at the Château de Beynac, then wander through the romantic gardens of Marqueyssac to our picnic lunch. Continue on foot to La Roque-Gageac, a beautiful river port on the banks of the Dordogne. From here, drive to the Château de Castelnaud, a medieval fortress from the 12th century. Finally, continue to our next hotel, located in the market town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, capital of the Périgord. This afternoon there is time to meander through the medieval streets and picturesque squares, admiring the beautifully preserved medieval and Renaissance buildings and the large Benedictine abbey at its center.

Walk along the Alzou River to a fortified mill, the perfect setting for our picnic lunch. From here either walk or continue by road to the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour, where stone houses, majestic towers, and a castle keep are nestled in the side of a cliff. Return to Sarlat and enjoy the evening at leisure.

We leave the Dordogne Valley today, driving north to the Périgord Blanc. Our walk leads us through beautiful valleys to the fabulous gardens of Eyrignac. There is time to explore the gardens after our picnic lunch before continuing by road to picturesque Brantôme, where we spend the next three nights in a converted watermill. 

This morning, visit Brantôme Abbey, founded in Charlemagne’s time, before starting out on our walk. Stop for a picnic lunch beside the ruins of a Cistercian abbey before continuing to the great renaissance Château de Puyguilhem for a visit.

Walk from our hotel across verdant hills and along a river to our picnic lunch in the town of Bourdeilles, which is dominated by its magnificent château. Visit the château before returning to the delightful riverside hotel in Brantôme. Toast our journey over a farewell dinner this evening.

After breakfast, join a group transfer to Bordeaux airport for onward connections.