The Historic Dordogne - Walking Tour

Rendezvous at the rail-station at Souillac for the drive to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, where Cro-Magnon Man was discovered in 1868. An aperitif in the hotel garden precedes an Introductory Talk and Welcome Dinner in the hotel's restaurant, renowned for its excellent cuisine.

We continue to walk in the area, keeping our sights on the impressive rock formations, until we reach a local restaurant built into the rock and looking out over the river for our lunch. In the afternoon, a walk through the village and beyond takes us round the famous Grottes de Font-de-Gaume, where we wonder at the cave-paintings and, if time allows, visit the museum. Dating from the Magdalénien period, it is estimated that the images date from 17,000 years ago. They feature depictions of animals (bison, reindeer and horses) painted in browns, blacks and earth colours, of compounds made from rock and pastes. At the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel with time for a swim before we enjoy another culinary treat from Chef Pascal.

Our journey this morning begins by the Dordogne River and leads us to Les Milandes, former home of the late, legendary American performer Josephine Baker, Queen of Parisian music-halls during the 1930s. Here we enjoy lunch and a display of falconry. In the afternoon we continue our walk along forest paths to rendezvous with our transport to our second hotel in Saint Vincent de Cosse in the heart of the Périgord Noir. We have dinner in a restaurant widely-renowned for its cuisine in the nearby, spectacular cliff-side village of Roque Gageac.

We walk from our hotel, weaving through tiny villages and forest paths to Beynac, inhabited since the Bronze Age and dominated by a 13th-century castle and then on to Castelnaud for lunch. Here we have the opportunity to tour this, the largest and best restored of the region's castles. We walk on to the fairy-tale chateau of Fayrac and transfer to Domme, one of the best examples of a medieval 'Bastide' town in France, famous for its panoramic view over the Dordogne valley. We dine in the hotel's excellent restaurant.
 

We set off from our hotel, down to the river, walking on the banks from which we deviate to visit the occasional pretty village or interesting church. We board a river-boat for a guided cruise on the Dordogne River, disembarking at the enchanting riverside village of La Roque Gageac for lunch. We walk on to the Chateau de Marqueyssac, whose beautiful box gardens have become nationally famous and from which there are breathtaking views over the whole area. We return to Domme for dinner and overnight.

We descend from Domme to the river and walk cross-country to the extraordinary Chateau de Montfort, its foundations in the very rock, for lunch. In the afternoon we stroll the streets of Sarlat, a meticulously restored 16th century gem, with an expert local guide. We will have time to shop, relax or further explore this lovely Renaissance town, before our Farewell Dinner in the hotel.

In the morning we have time to experience Sarlat's outstanding local market and, after this, The Wayfarers will transfer you to Souillac station.