Landscapes of the Dordogne

Day 1: Sarlat
Day 2: Marquay - Château de Commarque - Marquay, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Day 3: Beynac or La Roque-Gageac - Domme, 11.25 or 7 mi. (18 or 11 km)
Day 4: Château des Milandes - Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle - Domme, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 5: Limueil or Le Bugue - Les Eyzies, 14 or 8 mi. (23 or 13.5 km)
Day 6: Les Eyzies - Saint Cirq - Les Eyzies, 7 mi. (11.5 km)
Day 7: Peyzac Le Moustier - St. Léon sur Vézère - Montignac, 12.5 or 7.5 mi. (20 or 12 km)
Day 8: Montignac -  Montignac, 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: Sarlat
Welcome to the beautiful capital of Périgord Noir, Sarlat-la-Canéda, where your stay is set to begin. As you arrive in this enchanting town, you'll be greeted by its charming cobbled streets, picturesque small squares, and numerous architectural treasures.

To make the most of your visit, we recommend beginning your tour on a Friday or Saturday. That way, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the weekly market that takes place every Wednesday morning and Saturday all day. The market is a bustling affair that showcases the region's bountiful produce, including fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and wines.

As the sun begins to set, you can retire to your comfortable lodgings in Sarlat, where you can rest and rejuvenate for the days ahead. 

Accommodation:
Standard: La Maison du Notaire Royal B&B
Charming: Les Cordeliers
Superior: Plaza Madeleine

Day 2: Marquay - Château de Commarque - Marquay, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
After a short transfer, get ready to explore the charming perigourdine village of Marquay. You will be captivated by the quaint houses with their distinctive lauze roofs and the imposing fortified church of the 12th and 13th centuries.

The walk begins as you make your way through the deep oak and chestnut forests that surround the village. As you venture further, you will encounter small hills dotted with hamlets and rock shelters that have been carved out by the Beune River over the years.

At the Château de Commarque, an awe-inspiring castle perched on a rocky outcrop. you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery. The site even boasts prehistoric cave dwellings and troglodyte habitats, making it a must-visit destination.

Once back in Marquay, a transfer will be waiting to take you back to Sarlat, where you can rest and recharge for the next day's adventure.

Elevation: +/-330 m
Approx. walking time: approx 3 1/4 hrs

Accommodation:
Standard: La Maison du Notaire Royal B&B
Charming: Les Cordeliers
Superior: Plaza Madeleine

Day 3: Beynac or La Roque-Gageac - Domme, 11.25 or 7 mi. (18 or 11 km)
Today, you have the choice of two route options. The longer route begins in Beynac, a pretty cliff-side village with a rich history, including a château that was only ever captured once by Richard Lionheart.

As you begin your trek from Beynac, you'll pass through wooded hills above the Dordogne, taking in breathtaking views of the river along the way. Eventually, you'll arrive at La Roque-Gageac along the Dordogne River, which has been listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This stunning village is home to historic mansions, troglodyte dwellings, ochre-colored stone houses with lauze roofs, and even an exotic garden.

While in La Roque-Gageac, don't miss the chance to take a boat ride down the river on a flat-bottomed Gabarre, a reconstruction of old merchant ships from the 18th century. And before you leave, be sure to stock up on regional delicacies at a nearby duck farm.

If you opt for the shorter route, the walk begins in La Roque-Gageac itself and leads to Domme, a magnificent bastide town dating back to 1283. This town is perched on a vertiginous cliff with golden stones, offering panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley.

Please inform the taxi driver which option you are choosing.

Elevation: 
Longer option: +690m / -670m
Shorter option:+690m /-670m
Approx. walking time: 
Longer option: 5 hrs
Shorter option: 2 1/2 hrs

Accommodation:
Standard: Les Petits Cousins du Quebec B&B
Charming: Hotel de l'Esplanade
Superior: Logis 1

Day 4: Château des Milandes - Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle - Domme, 8 mi. (13 km)
A short transfer from Domme takes you into the gorgeous countryside to the Château and gardens of Milandes, the former home of Josephine Baker, legendary entertainer of the early 20th century. You follow the left bank of the Dordogne to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, another classified most beautiful village with its marvelous medieval castle which played an important role during the Hundred Years War. Continue your climb and finish in Domme, enjoy a stroll through the village’s cobbled streets,
fortified gates, towers and the covered market. Night in Domme.

Elevation: +633m /-554m
Approx. walking time: 3 hr 20 min

Accommodation:
Standard: Les Petits Cousins du Quebec B&B
Charming: Hotel de l'Esplanade
Superior: Logis 1

Day 5: Limueil or Le Bugue - Les Eyzies, 14 or 8 mi. (23 or 13.5 km)
Today’s trek leads you through the picturesque valley towards Les Eyzies. You have the option to choose between two routes: a longer hike starting from Limeuil or a shorter version starting directly from Le Bugue. If you decide on the longer trail, your journey starts with a 40-minute transfer to Limeuil, a charming village listed among the most beautiful in France. You will then traverse through stunning landscapes and arrive at Le Bugue, a town located on the banks of the Vézère River. Along the way, you will come across shady forests, farms, and hamlets, and have the opportunity to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier. Your hike ends in the capital of prehistory, Les Eyzies, where you will spend the next two nights. Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of prehistoric times!

Elevation: +414m / -405 m or +/-181m
Approx. walking time: 6 1/4 hrs or 3 3/4 hrs

Accommodation:
Standard: Le menestrel B&B
Charming: Cro Magnon
Superior: Les Glycines

Day 6: Option 1 (long) St Cyprien - Meyrals - Les Eyzies, 9.3 mi. (15 km) | Option 2 (short) Meyrals - Les Eyzies, 6.2 mi. (10km)
Transfer to the start of your walk, the longer or shorter version depending on how you feel for a gentle walk through the forest, past farms and hamlets, and back to Les Eyzies. You are in the rural heart of the Périgourdine countryside. After you walk you can visit the National Museum of Prehistory right in the heart of Les Eyzies (entrance not included). The night is spent in Les Eyzies.

Elevation: +/- 270m to +/-320m
Approx. walking time: 2 1/2 hrs to 4 hrs

Standard: Le menestrel B&B
Charming: Cro Magnon
Superior: Les Glycines

Day 7: Peyzac Le Moustier - St. Léon sur Vézère - Montignac, 12.5 or 7.5 mi. (20 or 12 km)
You have the option to choose between two hiking routes for the day. If you're up for a longer walk, you can start your day with breakfast and then transfer to Le Moustier. From there, you follow the path of prehistory, leading along La Roque Saint Christophe, a unique troglodyte site.  Continuing on, you reach Saint Léon sur Vézère, a classified village where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or lunch on a café terrace with stunning views over the river. You end in the charming village of Montignac, located at the foot of the famous hill of Lascaux. 

Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter hike, you can transfer to St. Leon sur Vezere after breakfast. From there, you can explore the village and take in the beautiful surroundings. Don't forget to indulge in a refreshing drink or a delicious meal on a café terrace with a stunning view of the river. Afterward, make your way to Montignac, where you can enjoy the rest of your evening and a peaceful night's sleep.

Elevation: +/- 510m or +366m/-288m
Approx. walking time: 5 or 3 1/4 hrs

Accommodation:
Standard: Le Petit Monde
Charming: La Roseraie
Superior: Bouilhac

Day 8: Montignac -  Montignac, 4 mi. (7 km)
Though today is your official departure day, there is enough time to do a short loop hike following the footsteps of our ancestors to the famous Lascaux Cave (needs to be booked in advance). This site is actually a complex of caves famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings, estimated to be over 17,000 years old. The cave was discovered in 1940 and opened to the public in 1948, but it was closed in 1963 due to concerns about damage caused by carbon dioxide and other pollutants from visitors. Today, a replica of the cave known as Lascaux IV is open to the public, designed to provide visitors with an immersive experience of the cave's prehistoric art. The replica was created using advanced digital scanning and 3D printing technology to recreate the cave's intricate artwork and rock formations as accurately as possible The paintings themselves depict various animals, including horses, deer, bulls, and bison, as well as abstract symbols and patterns. They are considered some of the most important and well-preserved examples of prehistoric art in the world. You may even consider booking an extra night in Montignac.

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.