Starting from Sarlat

This route 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.

DAY 1 - Sarlat’s historic centre 

• 
  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 Sainte-Marie OR visit a goose farm OR visit the Gouffre de Padirac.
• Evening: Enjoy a walk or cycle ride in the Old City with its natural gas lighting. 

EXCURSION 1 (half-day or full day) : The Valley Of Man 

Lascaux and The International Centre for Cave Art

• Don’t miss: Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, the picturesque village where 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.
• Unique experiences: Thot Park – an introduction to cave art, flint cutting workshop, and archaeological dig.

EXCURSION 2 (half-day or full day) : France’s most beautiful villages 

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, and La Roque Gageac, from where it is possible to take in many castles in one glance.

• Don’t miss: Limeuil, which dominates the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère • Monpazier • Belvès • Cazenac • Domme • Castelnaud la Chapelle.
• Unique experiences: Boat trips on the Dordogne river • canoeing • pedestrian trails • biking • hot-air balloon rides.

EXCURSION 3 (full day) : Medieval towns and castles

Discover some of the architectural treasures of the region’s fortified medieval towns, in spectacular hillside and riverbank settings. 

• Don’t miss: Villefranche-du-Périgord • Monpazier • Villeréal • Monflanquin • Domme • Eymet as well as the castles of Milandes, Castelnaud la Chapelle, Hautefort, and Biron.
• Unique experiences: Le Bastideum at Monpazier.

EXCURSION 4 (full day) : Turenne and Collonges-la-Rouge

Two destinations which 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.

• Don’t miss:
  • In Collonges-la-Rouge : visit of the Maison de la Sirène (Renaissance) • the Chapelle des Pénitents • the castles of Vassinhac and Maussac.
  • In Turenne: Renaissance mansions and the imposing Caesar tower, a remnant of the 12th-Century feudal castle • the castles of Linoire and Lapérousse and the chapel of the Capucins.
• Unique experiences: The pottery of the Grès Rouges (Red sandstone).