Landscapes of the Dordogne

Day 1: Sarlat
Day 2: Marquay – Château de Commarque – Marquay, 7.5 mi. (12 km) | ±330 m elevation
Day 3: Beynac or La Roque-Gageac – Domme, 7–11.25 mi. (11–18 km)
Day 4: Château des Milandes – Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle – Domme, 8 mi. (13 km) | +633 m / –554 m elevation
Day 5: Limeuil or Le Bugue – Les Eyzies, 8–14 mi. (13.5–23 km)
Day 6: St. Cyprien or Meyrals – Les Eyzies, 6–9.3 mi. (10–15 km) | ±270–320 m elevation
Day 7: Le Moustier or St. Léon-sur-Vézère – Montignac, 7.5–12.5 mi. (12–20 km)
Day 8: Montignac – Lascaux Loop, 4 mi. (7 km)

Every effort is made to update the routes; however, changes can occur on the ground due to various factors such as fallen trees, adverse weather conditions, or human activity. These factors can affect path signage.

Day 1: Arrival in Sarlat
Welcome to Sarlat-la-Canéda, the beautiful capital of Périgord Noir and the starting point of your journey. This enchanting town is known for its cobbled streets, intimate squares, and remarkable architectural heritage, making it one of the most atmospheric destinations in southwest France.

To make the most of your stay, we recommend beginning your tour on a Tuesday or Friday. This allows you to experience Sarlat’s lively weekly markets, held every Wednesday morning and all day Saturday, where local producers showcase the region’s finest fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and wines.

Take the afternoon to wander through town, soaking in its medieval charm before settling into your accommodations for a restful evening.

A local representative will contact you via WhatsApp to review your itinerary and answer any questions, ensuring you are fully prepared for the days ahead.

Sample accommodations:
Standard – La Maison du Notaire Royal B&B
Charming – Les Cordeliers
Superior – Plaza Madeleine (4*)

Day 2: Marquay – Château de Commarque – Marquay, 7.5 mi. (12 km) | ±330 m elevation
After a short transfer, you arrive in the charming village of Marquay, where stone houses with traditional lauze roofs and a fortified church from the 12th and 13th centuries set the tone for the day.

Your walk begins through deep oak and chestnut forests surrounding the village, leading into gently rolling hills dotted with hamlets and ancient rock shelters carved by the Beune River over centuries. The highlight is the Château de Commarque, an impressive fortress perched on a rocky outcrop. Beyond its medieval walls lie prehistoric cave dwellings and troglodyte habitats, offering a fascinating glimpse into layers of human history (entrance not included; open from late March or early April through October).

After returning to Marquay, a transfer takes you back to Sarlat to relax and recharge.

Approx. walking time: 3¼ hours

Sample accommodations:
Standard – La Maison du Notaire Royal B&B
Charming – Les Cordeliers
Superior – Plaza Madeleine (4*)

Day 3: Beynac or La Roque-Gageac – Domme, 7–11.25 mi. (11–18 km)
Today offers two route options, allowing you to choose the pace that suits you best.

The longer option begins in Beynac, a dramatic cliffside village crowned by a powerful château once captured only by Richard the Lionheart. From here, you walk through wooded hills high above the Dordogne, enjoying sweeping river views before descending to La Roque-Gageac, officially listed among the most beautiful villages in France. Nestled along the riverbank, this remarkable village features ochre stone houses, lauze roofs, historic mansions, troglodyte dwellings, and even an exotic garden.

While in La Roque-Gageac, consider a boat ride on a traditional flat-bottomed gabarre, modeled after 18th-century merchant vessels. Nearby duck farms offer the chance to stock up on regional delicacies before continuing.

The shorter option begins directly in La Roque-Gageac and follows a scenic path to Domme, a magnificent bastide town founded in 1283. Perched high on golden cliffs, Domme rewards you with panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley.

Please inform your driver of the option you choose.

Elevation:

• Longer option: +690 m / –670 m

• Shorter option: +690 m / –670 m

Approx. walking time:

• Longer option: 5 hours

• Shorter option: 2½ hours

Sample accommodations:
Standard – Les Petits Cousins du Québec B&B
Charming – Hôtel de l’Esplanade
Superior – Logis 1

Day 4: Château des Milandes – Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle – Domme, 8 mi. (13 km) | +633 m / –554 m elevation
A short transfer brings you into the rolling countryside to the Château des Milandes, once home to legendary entertainer Joséphine Baker. From here, you follow the left bank of the Dordogne toward Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, another village classified among France’s most beautiful. Its imposing medieval castle, which played a key role during the Hundred Years’ War, dominates the landscape.

Continuing your walk, you climb back toward Domme, where you can stroll through cobbled streets, fortified gates, towers, and the covered market. The evening is yours to enjoy this hilltop village and its unforgettable views.

Approx. walking time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Sample accommodations:
Standard – Les Petits Cousins du Québec B&B
Charming – Hôtel de l’Esplanade
Superior – Logis 1

Day 5: Limeuil or Le Bugue – Les Eyzies, 8–14 mi. (13.5–23 km)
Today’s walk leads you through the heart of the Vézère Valley toward Les Eyzies, known as the capital of prehistory. You may choose between two route options.

The longer option begins with a transfer to Limeuil, a charming riverside village officially listed among the most beautiful in France. From here, you walk through peaceful countryside toward Le Bugue, following paths that wind past shaded forests, farms, and small hamlets. Along the way, you may visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier before continuing on to Les Eyzies.

The shorter option starts directly in Le Bugue and follows a gentler route through the valley to Les Eyzies. Both walks end in this remarkable town, where you will spend the next two nights surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and archaeological treasures.

Elevation:

• Longer option: +414 m / –405 m

• Shorter option: ±181 m

Approx. walking time:

• Longer option: 6¼ hours

• Shorter option: 3¾ hours

Sample accommodations:
Standard – Le Ménestrel B&B
Charming – Cro-Magnon (3*)
Superior – Les Glycines (4*)

Day 6: St. Cyprien or Meyrals – Les Eyzies, 6–9.3 mi. (10–15 km) | ±270–320 m elevation
After a transfer to the trailhead, choose between a longer or shorter walk through the rural heart of the Périgord countryside. Both routes lead you along forest paths, past farms and small hamlets, offering a gentle and scenic day before returning to Les Eyzies.

Back in town, you may wish to visit the National Museum of Prehistory, located in the center of Les Eyzies (entrance not included), to deepen your understanding of the region’s extraordinary past.

Approx. walking time: 2½–4 hours

Sample accommodations:
Standard – Le Ménestrel B&B
Charming – Cro-Magnon (3*)
Superior – Les Glycines (4*)

Day 7: Le Moustier or St. Léon-sur-Vézère – Montignac, 7.5–12.5 mi. (12–20 km)
Today again offers two walking options.

For the longer route, you transfer after breakfast to Le Moustier and follow the “Path of Prehistory,” passing La Roque Saint-Christophe, an extraordinary troglodyte site carved into towering cliffs. Continue on to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, a classified village where you can pause for a drink or lunch on a café terrace overlooking the river. The walk then continues to Montignac, set below the famous Lascaux hill.

For a shorter day, transfer directly to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. Take time to explore the village and enjoy its riverside setting before walking onward to Montignac.

Elevation:

• Longer option: ±510 m

• Shorter option: +366 m / –288 m

Approx. walking time:

• Longer option: 5 hours

• Shorter option: 3¼ hours

Sample accommodations:
Standard – Le Petit Monde (2*)
Charming – La Roseraie (3*)
Superior – Bouilhac (4*)

Day 8: Montignac – Lascaux Loop, 4 mi. (7 km)
Although today is your departure day, there is time for a short loop walk to the famous Lascaux site (advance booking required). This remarkable complex of caves is celebrated for its Paleolithic wall paintings, created over 17,000 years ago. While the original caves are closed to protect the artwork, the Lascaux IV replica offers an immersive and highly accurate experience, created using advanced digital scanning and 3D technology.

The paintings depict animals such as horses, deer, bulls, and bison, along with abstract symbols, and are considered among the most important examples of prehistoric art in the world. You may wish to add an extra night in Montignac to fully enjoy this experience.

A taxi transfer from Montignac to Sarlat is scheduled for 4:30 PM. An alternative departure time can be arranged if specified at the time of booking.

You are offered three levels of accommodation for this tour. Standard consists of 2-star hotels & nice B&Bs. The Charming level is a collection of 3-star establishments and the Superior level of accommodations are all 4-star hotels. Please refer to each day’s details to see the preferred hotel listed. Upon booking, any changes that need to be made due to availability will be subject to your approval before official confirmation It is possible to upgrade on certain nights.