The Perigord Noir, Dordogne
Listed below are just some of the attractions this beautiful region of France has to offer. Click on the links at the bottom of this page for more information.
SARLAT is the capital of the Perigord Noir. Step back to medieval times as you wander around the old lanes and courtyards and admire the architecture. The weekly Saturday market is famous and well worth a visit. Enjoy a meal alfresco in the evenings at one of the many restaurants and watch the musicians and street entertainers performing. The atmosphere as dusk falls is magical when the gas lights illuminate the passageways and squares. Sarlat does get very busy in Summer and as we are only a 15 min drive away you can enjoy your visit and then return to the lovely countryside. It is also easier to explore the other beautiful sights in the area without having to navigate through the traffic in Sarlat each time you venture out.
DOMME is a very pretty bastide town. Enter through the old town wall gateways, and climb the narrow streets up to the most amazing view point over the river Dordogne, looking across to La Roque Gageac and Beynac in the distance. The central square has a covered market and you can visit the Grottes and learn about the history of the Knights Templars.
La ROQUE GAGEAC has been awarded the title of "the most beautiful village in France". Positioned right on the river the honey coloured houses shelter under the cliff and take on a beautiful glow as the sun sets. Climb up between the traditional Perigordian houses, looking down over the roof tops to the river below. Enjoy a relaxing boat trip down river on a gabarde (a replica of the old traditional boats). You can take a flight in a hot air balloon and experience the chateaux and dramatic scenery from the air.
BEYNAC is another stunning riverside village with the magnificent and imposing Chateau perched on top of the cliff. It is well worth climbing the steep lane up to the castle for the view of the Dordogne valley.
CASTELNAUD- the castle rises up from from the medieval village, built on a sheer cliff overlooking the Dordogne river and across to the Chateau de Beynac. There are displays inside of the weapons and armour and life-size reconstructions of the machines used during the hundred years war.
ROCAMADOUR where the houses cling to the rock face. There are wonderful views over the rooftops from the summit of the cliff. Tread in the footsteps of the pilgrims up to the Church which is built into the rock face.
The dramatic VEZERE VALLEY and Les Eyzies are the areas to explore many of the prehistoric sites and grottes with cave paintings, Lascaux II being the most famous.
The Lot and other regions
We are very close to the border of the Lot and it is possible to also explore the sights this region has to offer.
St-Cirq-Lapopie - built up on a cliff overlooking the river lot. Very pretty historic village with narrow cobbled streets to explore with little craft shops tucked away between the quaint houses. It is a very pretty drive down to St Cirq, through lovely little hamlets and villages.
Three lovely villages of Autoire, Loubressac and Carennac can all be visited in a day. Don't forget to take the camera!
Further afield and worth spending a little longer in the car is:
Collonges la Rouge – This pretty village in the Correze (route to Brive) is unusual in that it is built totally of red sandstone and contrasts dramatically on a sunny day against a blue sky. It sits in a very pretty valley. Wander around the little streets and every turn there is a photograph. There are craft shops tucked away around the village.
Turenne – This is also in the Correze and can be visited en-route to Collonges la Rouge. The village suddenly appears built up on a hill and is a total contrast to the Dordogne buildings, being in grey stone and slate roofs. There is a steep climb to the castle tower at the top.
LINKS TO PLACES OF INTEREST
www.maison-forte-reignac.com
www.gouffre-de-padirac.com
www.roque-st-christophe.com
www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en Lascaux II
www.casteland.com Chateaux Castelnaud and Beynac
www.perigord.com/proumeyssac
