Visit the pastoral Vezere & Dordogne Valleys to explore midieval towns, pre historic caves painted, carved and scratched with images, and fortified castles along the Dordogne River.
Bordeaux is an excellent starting point to walk the streets full of restaurants, cafes, shops with nooks and crannies to explore. Find the Cathedral, the Opera House and so much more. The Musee D’Aquitaine covers the world of pre-history and traces this unique city at the confluence of shipping and river trade. A short travel along the Vezere valley to the small town of Les Eyzies and the valley where caves are clustered. Be sure to have reservations with a guide in English. Their flashlights will focus your eyes to reveal the sculptural carvings nestled in and about the limestone rooms. Some caves are filled with art, others are harder to decipher as they are scratched in obscure places, as if to be hiding behind stalactites.
The pictures, etchings and relief sculptures are all dated by radio carbon analysis that suggests enormous time spans between the different caves only a few hectares apart; Laxcaux 19,000 and Roufignac 38,000 years ago – in the same valley!
The caves are open seasonally because of the weather. The new contemporary museum Lascaux lV is open all year round. It hosts a perfect reproduction of that cave with technologically perfect replicas of cave spaces in the galleries. The real caves: Font-de-Gaume; Rouffignac, Les Combrelles and Cougnac still have to close in the winter months.
Coming up for air, explore one or more of the castles on the Dordogne River including Beynac and Castlenaud constructed by an English and another by a French king. This makes for a nice contrast during a week”s visit – some for the outside and some time for the underside.
And it is the countryside of France. Formal gardens open to the public abound. Choose the spring or fall months known as the shoulder seasons to avoid crowds. By booking in advance, you will be fine. We are glad to put you in touch with well trained local guides.
All year, the story of local cuisine is world renowned: oysters, foi gras, walnuts, prunes and fine local wines pair with duck, pumpkin, a fresh salad or special dessert! Try it all!
The tour begins and ends in Bordeaux – at least 5 nights.
We suggest spending an extra day early to acclimate to the European time zone.
Activity level – Moderate. Travelers will enjoy the trip if they are able to walk comfortably and transport their own roll-along suitcase.
Trip limited to 8 travelers in a group. Fewer is better these days.
Learn why D0rgd0gne was named among the best places in Europe!
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