![]() ![]() From that ledge, I reenacted a goofy little speech, which I imagine happened many times during the Hundred Years’ War, fought between the French and English (1337–1453). The attendant let me unlock a huge plank door that opened up a treacherous little balcony high above the castle grounds. In the knights’ mess hall, it felt as if the cooks had just taken a break. The castle was lit by little oil lamps - puddles of light giving the spiral staircase a visual rhythm. It was like stepping back into medieval times. And the noblelady of the castle herself - land rich but, apparently, cash poor - sold me a ticket to enter and prowl around. Pulling my canoe up in Beynac, I hiked up to the brooding, cliff-clinging castle. On one particularly memorable Dordogne day, I enjoyed a perfect storm of travel thrills. Two of the most picturesque are La Roque-Gageac, a strong contender for “cutest town in France,” and Beynac, a well-preserved medieval village that winds like a sepia-tone film set from the river to the castle above. There’s always a place to stow the canoe, and plenty of welcoming villages. Delights are revealed around each bend, and you can pop ashore whenever you like. I can’t think of a more relaxing way to enjoy great scenery while getting some exercise. When I’m here, one of my rituals is exploring the riverside castles and villages via canoe. Its highlights include villages seemingly carved out of the rock, prehistoric cave paintings, floats along the river, cute farmhouses perched amid fertile fields, and a local cuisine that brings together all that’s best about French food. Whether young or old, visitors to the Dordogne are easily charmed by its unforgettable blend of village charm and scenic landscapes. I’d take her for a lazy canoe ride down the river, then cap the day with a great riverside meal - letting her enjoy goose liver (explaining what it was later) with the finest glass of French red wine she’s ever had. Its houses at the foot of a cliff just in front of the waters of the Dordogne will take you breath away! Also stop by Château de Beynac standing at the top of a vertiginous cliff, dominating the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac, the castle is an impressive stone sentinel that has watched over the Dordogne for more than 9 centuries.A reader once asked me: If I were to bring a spry, 73-year-old grandmother to Europe, where would I go? My response: France’s Dordogne River Valley. The village has a very rich historical heritage and the highest density of listed historical monuments in the world! A city of Art and History and also the first protected area in France to have been restored! Sarlat’s Old Town looks like nothing less than a fairy tale village, filled with beautifully kept buildings and tiny, twisting paths.Īlong your way back to Bordeaux stop by spectacular villages like La Roque Gageac, third site in France after Mont Saint Michel and Rocamadour. Next head for lunch at the charming medieval city of Sarlat-la-Canéda. You will leave the real world to rub shoulders with the dreamlike and artistic universe of cro-magnon 21,000 years ago rich in emotions and colors! Travel in this masterpiece of humanity and discover the impressive parietal representations. A complete and unpublished replica retraces the discovery of the famous decorated cave. If time allows you can take a quick visit of the village before heading to a bucolic spot: Les Eyzies de Tayac, considered as the “world capital of prehistory”! The village offers an impressive setting of cliffs that you will be able to admire from the confort of your car.Īrrive to Lascaux IV cave for a 1 hour 30 minutes of guided visit in English! For the first time, Lascaux reveals itself entirely. ![]() Head to the region of Dordogne, you will be picking up your licensed guide at the village of Bergerac that will accompany all your visit during the day. ![]()
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