2020 Essential Dordogne - small group tour, exclusively in English

Wander through the picturesque town of Sarlat, visit the beautiful town of Rocamadour, enjoy a cruise on the Dordogne River by the cliff-side Village of Beynac, see Extraordinary Cave Paintings from 15,000 BC and explore the hidden gems of the wondrous Valley of Dordogne

day 01 Sarlat arrival
Independent arrival to your hotel in Sarlat. The rest of the day is at leisure for personal discoveries.Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and is one of the most representative towns of 14th century France. Located in the heart of the Perigord Noir, the town possesses an outstanding number of buildings and houses dating from the 13th to 18th century. Take some time to stroll through the small narrow alleys and streets for personal discovery.
day 02 Domme-Beynac-La Roque Gageac-Sarlat
Today is a market day, so follow your guide through the winding streets and stroll through the colorful stalls as he introduces you to the local delicacies. Your tour will include stops where you will taste delicious specialties of the region including duck, cheese, walnuts and wine. At 2.00pm, departure for the second part of your day.
Drive to the beautiful village of Domme. With its trapezoid city plan, Domme is a bastide, or a fortified medieval town, adapted to the surrounding terrain, and thus falling short of the rectangular city plan characteristic to bastides. The village is classified as one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (“The Most Beautiful Villages of France”). In 1307, Knight Templars were imprisoned in Domme while during the Hundred Years’ War, the bastide was coveted by the English who first took the town in 1347 and repeatedly changed rulers throughout the war until 1437 when it finally fell under French rule again. Then drive to La Roque Gageac and enjoy a peaceful cruise on the the Dordogne River on board an authentic Gabarre to admire mighty castles that line the river. Finally, reach Beynac to admire the village and the 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 in 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 defences were built up on the plateau: double crenelated walls, double moats, one of which was a deepened natural ravine, double barbican. See architectural phenomenon, aided by nature, and discover more about the history of this unusual city.
day 03 Lascaux Art of the Cave
Some 15,000 years B.C. unknown artists created breathtaking cave paintings of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area. During this day tour you will be introduced to this fascinating art and to the people who made it. Begin the day in Les Eyzies de Tayac for a guided visit of the National Prehistory Museum. Opened in 2004, this national museum possesses the largest collection of prehistoric artifacts in the world. Continue to Montignac where you will visit Lascaux IV cave, a perfect reproduction of the original cave. Opened in 2016, Lascaux IV is a triumph of technology. Unlike any other cave visits, Lascaux IV employs different set designs, displays, state-of-the-art interactive workshops and immersive technology to bring it to life. In fact, the atmosphere inside the replica cave is just like that of a real cave: dark, damp and muffled. Finally, end the tour with the visit of Rouffignac Cave that possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings. The Rouffignac cave was already mentioned in 1575 by François de Belleforest. In his Cosmographie universelle he cites “paintings and animal traces”. In the 19th century the cave was known as a tourist attraction. Famous archaeologists like Henry Breuil, André Glory and Martel had visited the cave in the early 20th century, but it was only in 1956 when Louis-René Nougier and Romain Robert, two prehistorians from the Pyrenees, rediscovered and confirmed the cave art. After the visit, return to Sarlat.
day 04 Rocamadour
A Spectacular Half-Day Visit of This Most Special Village. Depart for the pilgrimage and fortress village of Rocamadour that attracts visitors for its setting in a gorge above a tributary of the River Dordogne. The 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 visit the renowned Notre Dame Chapel, part of an extraordinary 13thcentury chapel complex perched on a cliff and one of the most dramatic pilgrimage sites in Europe. Enjoy some free time for personal discovery and return to Sarlat. 1.00pm Return to Sarlat. Afternoon at leisure and night at your hotel.

day 05 Sarlat departure
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast.

Inclusions: 3* or 4*accommodation, breakfast daily, small group 8 participants maximum, comfortable and fully equipped minivans, Sarlat guided walking tour, villages of the Dordogne tour, Lascoux IV, Rauffignac cave, National Prehistory museimwith entrance fees, Rocamadour tour, English speaking driver-guide, boat ride, entrance fees.

Excluding: meals, drinks, gratuities & personal expenses. Optional return transfers on request.

nclusions: 3* accommodation sharing a double/twin room, breakfast daily, semi-private Sarlat guided walking tour, semi-private visit of Villages, boat ride on the Dordogne, Lascaux IV, Rouffignac Cave and National Prehistory Museum visit with entrance fees, semi-private guided walking tour of Rocamadour, travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans, complimentary bottles of water in the minivan, minimum 2 - maximum 8 participants.

Exclusions: entrance fees other than mentioned in the programme, meals and drinks, personal expenses and insurance, eventual gratuities for the driver/guide