Walking Tours
A unique hiking escape walking in the Southwest of France in the famous Périgord Noir area around Sarlat-la-Canéda. In a week you get to enjoy and soak up the natural beauty of the Dordogne and Vézère Valley infused with the richness of heritage, culture and cuisine. Walk on gentle hiking trails along the river, through chestnut forests, walnut orchards, passing by fairytale Castles from the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, along paths that lead you to some of the most beautiful villages in France and prehistoric sites with cave drawings. Mingle with locals at the lively and colourful market in Sarlat-la-Canéda, savour the specialties of the region including Foie Gras, Confits, Truffles and Strawberries accompanied with a glass of Bergerac wine. Experience this unforgettable blend of nature, history, heritage, exceptional food and outstanding local vintages! Trip Level: Easy walks from 7 kms to 12 kms, moderate options up to 23 kms per day.
Today, make your own individual travel to Sarlat-la-Canéda. Train from either Bergerac, Périgueux or Bordeaux to Sarlat-la-Canéda. Alternatively, take a private transfer from the Airport in Brive-Souillac (40 km), Bergerac (75 km), Bordeaux (215 km) or Limoges (150 km) to Sarlat-la-Canéda. Your stay begins in Sarlat-la-Canéda the Capital of the Périgord Noir with its cobbled streets, picturesque small squares and many architectural treasures. Enjoy the colour and life of the weekly market, which takes place every Wednesday morning and Saturday all day. Overnight stay in Sarlat-la-Canéda.
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After breakfast, you will be transferred to Marquay to start your walk in this charming Perigourdine village with its typical houses and their lauze roofs as well as its Fortified Church of the 12th and 13th Century. You cross deep oak and chestnut forests, small hills punctuated by hamlets, rock shelters dug by the River Beune before arriving at the Château de Commarque, which stands on a rocky outcrop in a breathtaking landscape, the site even features troglodyte habitats and a prehistoric cave (visit included). Continue your loop back to Marquay and transfer back to Sarlat-la-Canéda. Overnight stay in Sarlat. Meals: Breakfast
Today, you have two route options to choose from. You can either start your walk in Beynac-et-Cazenac (longer walk) or La Roque-Gageac (shorter option), ensure you inform the taxi driver when you board the vehicle. Beynac-et-Cazenac is a pretty cliffside village with the impressive Château de Beynac, only ever captured once by Richard Lionheart, overlooking the Dordogne. Pass wooded hills above the river before reaching La Roque-Gageac, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, containing historic mansions, troglodyte dwellings and ochre coloured stone houses with lauze roofs and an exotic garden. There is also the opportunity of a boat ride down the river on a flat bottomed Gabarre, which is a reconstruction of old merchant ships from the 18th Century. Stock up on regional delicacies at a nearby duck farm before reaching Domme, a magnificent bastide town dating from 1283 perched on a vertiginous cliff with golden stones offering panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley. Overnight stay in Domme. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, take a short ride from Domme into the gorgeous countryside to the Château des Milandes and gardens of the former home of Josephine Baker, legendary entertainer of the early 20th Century. You follow the left bank of the Dordogne to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, another classified as the most beautiful village, with its marvellous Medieval Castle, which played an important role during the Hundred Years War. Continue your climb and finish back in Domme. Here enjoy a stroll through the village's cobbled streets, fortified gates, towers and the covered market. Meals: Breakfast
Today, walk through the enchanting valley towards Les Eyzies. You can choose to be transferred to Limeuil (for a longer walk) or directly to Le Bugue (for a shorter version). If you go for the longer hike, you start in Limeuil, listed among the most beautiful in France, crossing picturesque landscapes before arriving in Le Bugue located on the Vézère River. Follow many shady woods, farms, hamlets to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Here, take the opportunity to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier along the route, before finishing in the Capital of prehistory Les Eyzies where you will spend the next two night. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the start of your walk, the longer or shorter version depending on how you feel for a gentle walk through the forest, past farms and hamlets and back to Les Eyzies. You are in the rural heart of the Périgourdine countryside. After you walk you can visit the National Museum of Prehistory right in the heart of Les Eyzies (entrance not included). Overnight in Les Eyzies. Meals: Breakfast
Today, for this hiking day you can choose between two options. After breakfast, you will be transferred to either Le Moustier (long walk) or to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère (short walk). If choosing to leave from Le Moustier, you walk on the path of prehistory that runs along La Roque Saint-Christophe a troglodyte site unique in the world before arriving at Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. Perhaps enjoy a refreshing drink or lunch on a café terrace with stunning views over the river before continuing to the charming village of Montignac, located at the foot of the famous hill of Lascaux. Overnight stay in Montignac. Meals: Breakfast
Today is your departure day, so if you have enough time you can do a short loop hike taking you through the footsteps of our ancestors and straight to the famous LASCAUX II / IV Cave. (needs to be booked in advance). A complete and unpublished replica that houses the oldest paintings of humanity and traces the discovery of the famous ornate cave. Your tour ends after your walk in Montignac. Make you own individual departure for your onward Journey. We can book a taxi for you (upon request) or you can catch one of the following buses (not included) Nr. 7 to Sarlat-la-Canéda or Périgueux and Nr. 8 to Brive-la-Gaillarde. Meals: Breakfast
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (wi)
