The Dordogne, France

Information about the Dordogne River Valley

Dordogne, France tourist information from France This Way

Office de Tourisme de Sarlat

Rent a canoe and explore the area from the river. You can hire a canoe from many places along the river and they will pick you up at an agreed-upon site down river. And you can go ashore and explore anywhere you want to, such as at one of the towns along the river like La Roque-Gageac for example. This is a good town to visit while you are in the region, whether you get here by car or canoe. See Hôtel La Belle Étoile in the lodging section below if you decide you want to stay here.

Notice the stone roofs (lauzes) in this region. Made of flat limestone rocks, they are very steep so that they distribute the heavy load to the walls of the buildings. The plentiful rocks were a cheap building material, very durable, and small vents provide air circulation.

Things to do and Places to go

La Roque-Gageac

La Roque-Gageac Tourist Information, Gites and Hotels

In places, La Roque-Gageac is little more than a row of riverside houses squeezed between the Dordogne river in front and the overhanging cliffs behind. In other places the town spreads up the hill a little, towards the caves set in the cliffs above. There is also an interesting tropical garden with palm trees and banana plants. La Roque-Gageac has been named a 'most beautiful village of France', and won the 'prettiest village in France' contest. You should arrive early at La Roque-Gageac to avoid the coaches that arrive later in the day.

Beynac

Beynac Tourist Information, Gites and Hotels

Beynac is spread along the northern bank of the Dordogne river, and then winds up the hill to the castle above. The narrow lanes between the traditional Dordogne honey-coloured buildings wind up the hill, and the main street is the basket-makers path (Carnival del Panieraires).

The castle at the top of the hill is the Château de Beynac. This was a French stronghold during the "hundred years' war". The English had the equally magnificent Château de Castelnaud on the other side of the river. The castle is a very interesting château to visit. You will surely want to stand in the same spot as Richard the Lionheart and take in the magnificent views across miles of beautiful countryside.

There is also an interesting archaeology park in Beynac with typical neolithic buildings.

La Roque St. Christophe

La-Roque-Saint-Christophe

This is a large prehistoric settlement complex and is located about 9 km north of Les Eyzies, on the south bank of the Vezere River. La Roque St Christophe is an extensive series of caves carved out of the soft limestone cliff by the action of the river almost a kilometre in length and 80 metres high. About 55,000 years ago man first started to inhabit hese natural caves. In the 6th to the 16th centuries the cliff also was developed as a village, with numerous buildings and fortifications. The official history records people using these terraces as protection from raiding Vikings. Watchtowers were set up along the river and when the alarm was sounded, people would flee to the protection of the caves. There are recreations here of the winches that they would use to haul their animals up with them. It was finally abandoned in 1588.

Sarlat

Sarlat Tourist Information, Gites and Hotels

Fine examples of architecture from both medieval and renaissance times can be found in the Old Town. Try to catch the early morning sunshine on the yellow sandstone buildings.

Having stayed loyal to the French crown throughout the hundred years' war, Sarlat was rewarded by with Fernch king with lots of money to rebuild the town. Since this was between about 1450 and 1550, much of the architecutre is in the Renaissance style.

If you can, try to be there on a Saturday when it is market day in Sarlat. Taking place in the "Square of the Geese," be sure to taste the foie gras which is a big draw for tourists to visit this area.

Lascaux

Lascaux caves

The Cave of Lascaux

Because of the deteriation that has occurred because of visitors over the years since the caves were first discovered, the caves are now closed to the public. However, you can take a guided tour of Lascaux II, an elaborate recreation of the original caves. The region also has many more examples of pre-historic cave paintings.

National Museum of Prehistory

National Museum of Prehistory Musée National de Préhistoire
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Tél: 05 53 06 45 65

With over 18,000 bones, stones, and artifacts, the museum shows that the Magdalenian people who lived here 15,000 years ago were far more advanced than the cavemen we often think of.

Lodging