Dordogne Valley Tour
Day 1
Pick up from Bergerac Airport (Ryanair from London Stanstead),
St Cyprien Rail Station or Le Buisson de Cadouin (Train from Paris).
You will be chauffeur driven to your cottage accommodation in the charming village of Berbiguières in the heart of the Périgord Noir.
Settle into your accommodation and then be driven to one of the most well loved restaurants in the region for a typical Périgourdine Gourmet evening, surrounded by lush forest and the sparkling Dordogne river (Les Gabarrières).
We will pick you up and drive back to the Cottage. B/D
Day 2
You will visit one of the most lively markets of the region situated all along the main street of St Cyprien (just down the 'Hill'). Indulge your senses and pick up that something special from the region to take home.
Return to the cottage for a home cooked lunch prepared for you complimented by a bottle of local Bergerac red or two!
In the afternoon, we will visit one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France: (most beautiful villages of France) Beynac.
Climb the quaint streets and pretty cottages that cling to the cliff whilst enjoying the ever evolving vistas of the Dordogne below. Reward yourselves with a refreshing beverage at the top under a shady tree whilst revelling in the views.
For the slightly less adventurous, continue up the hill by car and enter the famous Chateau de Beynac and nearby chapel and relive the past whilst learning of the importance of this extraordinary castle made famous as a bastion of French resistance against the English during the 100 years war.
Return to the cottage for a relaxed evening. Dinner as you wish, perhaps something you picked up from the morning market. B/L
Private Luxury
Escorted Tours
Day 4
AM Pick-up for drive to Montignac via Les Eyzies. This is the most famous site in Europe featuring Pre-Historic man (Cro-Magnon). Visit the cave/discovery centre of Lascaux 4 and be amazed by the whole region’s wealth of examples of the earliest history of man.
PM Drive to Monpazier, where you can find a local café for a light lunch before taking a leisurly stroll through the streets of this grand Bastide town, one of the finest examples of it’s kind. Evening: Drive “down the hill” to the L'Atelier D’Epicure for a gastronomic delight at (in our opinion) the best restaurant in the region. This is true French cuisine at it’s finest. Pick up and return to Berbiguières. B/D
Day 5
Option 1
You will have the morning to sleep in and wander through the village and discover one of the many little walking trails in and around Berbiguières and surrounds.
We will drive to Belvès, a delightful nearby village perched high up on a hill overlooking the entire valley from all directions. Discover the hidden alley ways choosing somewhere for lunch at one of the beautiful “old town” cafés. We take a short drive to the magnificent Jardins des Marqueyssac. Walk amongst 160,000 beautifully sculptured box trees whilst strolling along the trail of the falises (cliffs). Magnificent ever changing vistas opens up around every turn as you follow the limestone formed cliffs which course their way around every turn of the Dordogne between the Chateau Castelnaud right around to an “ariel” view (from the beautiful Belvedere) of La Roque Gageac. Through the centre of the
park, walk back to the Café where you can sit out under the wisteria and gaze back again across the valley whilst enjoying a coupe or freshly squeezed orange juice. Return “home” for an aperitif before heading out to another of the areas best known restaurants, La Belle Etoile at La Roque Gageac. B/L/D
Option 2 (mid July to mid August)
The same AM as above except: Enjoy a delectable lunch at the renowned Auberge de La Nauze just down the hill from Belves.
Head home for a sleepy afternoon snooze before heading to Marqueyssac for the Festival of the Chandelles. A feast of live theatre, music and fun, escourted along the trails by some 10,000 candles. Enjoy the packed picnic dinner prepared by your hosts at any of the little stopping off points whilst being entertained. B/L/D
Day 3
AM Pick up and visit 2 more of the most beautiful villages of France. La Roque Gageac clings to the cliff which towers 300 feet above the delightful turn in the river below. Wander the length of the town, lingering at the many little shops
along the street. Walk up one of the access lanes and marvel at the way troglodite dwellings and more “modern” versions of accommodation have precariously been nestled into the sheer rock face. A drink, coffee or local speciality from one of the many delightful cafes will refresh you.
We continue on by car to another marvellous vantage point over this most famous river at Domme. This is a Bastide town which as well as a grotto and spectacular views, has a plethora of little shops featuring produce from the region all begging to be explored.
Lunch at the Auberge des Cinq Chateaux. Not just any auberge, this award winning restaurant not only serves a most delectable lunch menu but from the outside Terrace you can see all five of the most famous Chateaux in a 270 degree panorama.
PM After our gourmet lunch break we continue just up the hill to the spectacular Chateau de Castelnaud. Either join a guided tour or take your own time to follow the very well signed self-guided walk back through time. Interactive video presentations, history guideposts not to mention one of the most comprehensive array of medieval weaponry to be found anywhere, ranging from cross bows, an assortment of rather gruesome examples of hand to hand warfare, through to the full sized re-construction of the much feared weapon of the day, the Trebouchet.
Children of all ages can be swept-up into the age of knights and maidens, with live shows on the hour to complete the entertainment.
Enjoy an artisanal “Glace” (ice-cream) or ice cold glass of Rosé before returning to home base where you can source dinner as required. B/L
Day 6
AM Les Jardins D’Eyrinyac will delight your senses as you are free to wander through hornbeams, yews and a veritable feast for the eyes of French/Italianate formal gardens, beautifully manicured and tended. You will easily be lost in time for two hours whilst you marvel at the craftsmanship and sheer beauty of these formal gardens.
PM We will then return to Sarlat, the largest town in the region and be enthralled by one of the most well known superbly preserved medieval towns in all of France. It has been the backdrop to many french film sets. You too will be enchanted by the wonderful little ruelles and quaint shops all throughout this unique old town village.
The hardest job is choosing from one of the many delightful restaurants, where you can enjoy local produce cooked to perfection whilst soaking up the atmosphere from a by-gone era. Return to Berbiguières and prepare for dinner at Le Trèfle à Quatre Feuilles in Siorac. A true french gastronomie experience. B/D
Day 7
AM Visit the grandure of Chateau Les Milandes. The previous owner was the famous french singer and dancer, Josephine Baker. View rooms featuring many of the celebrity’s famous costumes and then be thrilled by the interactive Rapter Show in the sumptuous manicured grounds of Milandes.
Head to La Roque Gageac for a lunch or energy snack followed by:
-
One of the favourite highlights of this whole tour is a canoe trip on the mighty Dordogne. The best views are definitely from the river itself.
-
For the less adventurous, a river tour on a traditional Gabarre boat offers the same spectacle without the exertion.
** Private Concert and aperatif before dinner.
A short drive to La Syvade - Restaurant Francaise (St Cyprien)
We will pick you up and drive you back to Berbiguières. B/D
Day 8
Late check out, pack and pick up.
Transfer to your departure town. Bergerac/Brive/Le Buison de Caduoin
Costs: 8 Days – Dordogne Valley Tour
2 people $2895 AUD per person
3-4 people $2495 AUD per person
*7 Nights’ Accommodation at La Maison du Chateau, Berbiguières
*All Transfers. Brive/Le Buisson Train Station, Brive/ Bergerac Airport
*Chauffeur driven to all sites. To and from all Restaurants
*All meals (according to itinerary) (excluding wine) (5D/4L)
*Breakfast (stocked daily with your choice of cereals,dairy,patisseries,bread.)
*Daily servicing of “La Maison”
*All entry fees
*All gratuities and taxes
**Final night (in house) private concert (French Music)
Does not include:
Airfares, Train travel from Paris, Insurance.
N.B. Please refer to Terms and Conditions.