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Overview:
This program includes the famous prehistoric sites of the so-called Valley of Man, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and which is famed for the cave art of Lascaux, known as the “Sistine Chapel” of prehistory. Visitors can also explore walled towns, medieval churches and castles, and picturesque villages, including Beynac, La Roque Gageac, and Marqueyssac with its remarkable gardens. The region’s gastronomic pleasures are also to be savoured, through its markets, restaurants and cooking courses. We propose here a minimum of 4 days with various options each day. But a week to 10 days will not be too much to discover the treasures of this part of France and savor a superb gastronomy.
Morning:
Explore Sarlat, capital of the Black Périgord, on foot. Visit the markets which reveal the gastronomic specialities of Périgord, including truffles, foie gras, walnut oil, ceps, and duck.
Afternoon:
Discover Sarlat’s art and culture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Highlights include the House of Boétie, Lantern of the Dead, Cathedral Saint Sacerdos, and the panoramic views from the glass elevator of the Church SainteMarie. Then, you can go and visit:
● a goose farm
● The Gouffre de Padirac.
● The Valley Of Man Lascaux and The International Centre for Cave Art
● Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, the picturesque village where the cro-magnon man was discovered;
● the Museum of Prehistory and the International Pole of Prehistory;
● the Font de Gaume cave, Combarelles cave, and Rouffignac cave to see original and authentic engravings.
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Unique experience: Thot Park – an introduction to cave art, flint cutting workshop, and archaeological dig.
The Dordogne is home to 10 villages ranked as the most beautiful in France. These include:
Beynac – one of the most grandiose sites on the banks of the Dordogne,
La Roque Gageac – from where it is possible to take in many castles in one glance
Limeuil – not to be missed; dominates the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère.
As well as Monpazier, Belvès, Cazenac, Domme, and Castelnaud la Chapelle.
Unique experiences:
● Boat trips on the Dordogne river
● Canoeing, pedestrian trails,
● Biking
● Hot-air balloon rides.
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Discover some of the architectural treasures of the region’s fortified medieval towns, in spectacular hillside and riverbank settings. There are a plethora of choices.
Don’t miss: Villefranche-du-Périgord, Monpazier, Villeréal, Monflanquin, Domme, Eymet as well as the castles of Milandes, Castelnaud la Chapelle, Hautefort, and Biron. A unique experience if you travel with children is “ Le Bastideum at Monpazier”, anarcheology and history museum which reveals the history of the bastides from the Middle ages.
Two destinations are classified as “most beautiful villages of France”.
Turenne boasts a white fort with a limestone dungeon, while Collonges-la-Rouge is a sandstone city with medieval streets. In Collonges-la-Rouge, visit of the Maison de la Sirène (Renaissance), the Chapelle des Pénitents and the castles of Vassinhac and Maussac. In Turenne: Renaissance mansions and the imposing Caesar tower, a remnant of the 12th-Century feudal castle. You could extend the excursion to visit the castles of Linoire and Lapérousse and the chapel of the Capucins.
Unique experiences: The pottery of the Grès Rouges (Red sandstone).
This sample tour is just an example of a specific itinerary related to the country we just described to give you an idea of what is available in that country when you travel.
All our trips are tailor-made and we are at your disposal to plan your trip in consideration of how many people will be traveling, how many days you wish to travel, the season, the standard and the location of the hotels, the amount of meals you wish to include, the guided tours or experiences which will show you not only the “must see” landmarks but also the special interest sites and events you will love that are off the beaten track.
Francoise is the president and founder of Celestial Voyagers. She graduated with a tourism degree at Nice University in France and has worked as a tour director and operations manager in France, Australia and Mexico. Settling in New York City, she founded Celestial Voyagers with the aim of creating uniquely curated group travel for adults and Academia.