Authentic Dordogne
14 days / 13 nights
Location: Paris - Aquitaine/Dordogne (Bordeaux, Penne-d'Agenais, Pujols, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Monpazier, La Roque-Gageac, Sarlat, Saint-Émilion, Château des Milandes, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Château de Marqueyssac, Domme, Bergerac, Lascaux, Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Roque Saint-Christophe, La Maison Forte de Reignac) - Midi-Pyrenees (Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors, Les Arques, Rocamadour)
Price: From 3,630€
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* Click right arrow in photo to continue reading the itinerary *
Day 1: Paris
Meeting at the hotel in Montparnasse, Paris.
This evening, we enjoy a group dinner at one of Montparnasse's restaurants.
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2: Bordeaux & Lot Valley
After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Paris by TGV (the famous French very fast train service) for Bordeaux in South West France.
On arrival, we transfer in our minibus to a country Château-hotel in the rolling hills of the river Lot valley. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax, settle in, perhaps take a walk or bike ride in the surrounding countryside. If it's hot you may prefer to relax around the pool.
Evening meal at the hotel's restaurant.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Penne-D'Agenais, Pujols and Villeneuve-sur-Lot
This morning, we take a short drive to visit two unique villages in the region. First to Penne-D'Agenais, a medieval village set high on a ridge overlooking the river Lot. Then on to Pujols, listed as one of "France's most beautiful villages".
Later, we will drive towards Villeneuve-sur-Lot and visit the nearby typical villages. Time for a light lunch and some shopping before we head back to the Château in time for a swim, walk or a little relaxation.
Evening meal at the hotel's restaurant.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors & Roquecor
Today, we drive to the wonderful little village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, another listed "most beautiful village of France". Enjoy free time in the village and have lunch at one of the many restaurants before we make our way to the major town of Cahors. Time for shopping and visiting the medieval Pont Valentré before returning to the Château.
Light evening meal in the local village of Roquecor.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Monpazier & Goujounac
After breakfast, we will check out of the Château and drive to the lovely village of Monpazier. An authentic "most beautiful villages in France" bastide that has preserved almost intact its appearance and its original dimensions. A jewel of medieval architecture.
At lunchtime, we will be eating at Chez Jeanne, a "workingman's" restaurant serving a delightful home cooked meal and made famous in Mary Moody's recently published book "Lunch at Madam Murats".
After a hearty lunch, we visit the little village of Goujounac before continuing on to our next accommodation at a private Manoir, located in a small valley and surrounded by oak and chestnut woods. Set in a private estate of 35 Ha and lovingly built in the Perigordian style of the 17th Century, the Manoir is entirely the group's for the next 8 days.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: La Roque-Gageac & Les Arques
Today, we will be taking a short drive to another "most beautiful village of France", La Roque-Gageac.
Before continuing on to the tiny hamlet of Les Arques, we will savour a memorable lunch at "La Recreation", a famous restaurant located in what was once the local school house and featured in the book "From here you can't see Paris" by Michael Saunders.
Remainder of the afternoon at leisure and a light evening meal at the Manoir.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Sarlat
After breakfast, we drive to Sarlat, an important market town in the Dordogne. The market is located in the magnificent old quarter of the town and offers a wide variety of produce and shopping opportunities. Free time at the market.
Afternoon will be at leisure at the Manoir, with the possibility for a walk, swim in the pool or just relax. This evening, dinner will be served at the Manoir.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Saint-Émilion
After breakfast, we drive to the famous village of Saint-Émilion. Listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site, this medieval village is world renowned for its high quality red wines. Its history stretches back to the 2nd century when the Romans planted the first vines.
Free time in the village and for lunch. Evening meal at the restaurant.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9: Château des Milandes & Beynac
After breakfast, we will make a visit to the Château des Milandes, known worldwide thanks to Joséphine Baker.
We will visit Beynac, yet another beautiful village on the banks of the Dordogne. Then we will go to the famous boat Gabare on the Dordogne.
This evening, a light meal will be served at the Manoir.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Château de Marqueyssac, Domme & Sarlat
We start today with a visit to the gardens of the Château de Marqueyssac and have a light lunch in the château's restaurant overlooking the Dordogne valley.
Then, it's on to visit Domme, yet another of the unique villages of the Dordogne. Set high on a hill, overlooking the river Dordogne and the surrounding countryside.
Dinner in Sarlat.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Bergerac & Monbazillac
After breakfast, we drive to the Bergerac wine area for a wine tasting and picnic lunch at the Château Bélingard. Here, our hosts the Comte and Comtesse de Bosredon will give us a tour around the vineyard, set in the heartland of the Monbazillac and Bergerac appellations. We will have an opportunity to taste the wines and we will then choose some wines to enjoy with our picnic lunch in the Château gardens on a high ridge overlooking the wonderful scenery of the Dordogne wine growing area.
Later, we will drive down into Bergerac, the commercial centre of this area, for shopping and/or sightseeing.
Dinner at the Manoir.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Rocamadour
Today, we visit the spectacular setting of Rocamadour. This charming village set against high cliffs and dominated by the five chapels that are the centrepiece of this medieval pilgrimage site. Free time at the village and for lunch.
Late afternoon, we will visit a Foie Gras farm before returning to the Manoir.
Evening meal at the Manoir.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 13: Lascaux & Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
Our last full day in the Dordogne. We will visit Lascaux: the prehistorical decorated cave's most visited in the World and the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère for lunch, before a visit in two famous troglodyte sites La Roque Saint-Christophe and La Maison Forte de Reignac.
This last evening together, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Bordeaux & Paris
After breakfast, we will check out of the Manoir and travel to Bordeaux to take the TGV. The tour will end there. The TGV can be taken back to Paris or alternatively it's possible to travel down to Toulouse and on to other destinations (cost may vary).
Included meals: Breakfast
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Authentic Dordogne – 14 days / 13 nights
Tour starts Tour ends Price* per person Single supplement 14-May-17 27-May-17 €3,630 €440 10-Sep-17 23-Sep-17 €3,630 €440 * Prices per person in twin share. Maximum 8 participants.
Included in prices
- Fully escorted tour ex Paris
- Double/twin share accommodation (all rooms with private ensuite):
– 4-star Hotel in Paris Montparnasse (day 1)
– 3-star Château-Hotel near Villeneuve-sur-Lot (days 2 – 5)
– 5-star Country House with swimming-pool near Sarlat in Dordogne (days 6 – 14) - All meals as specified in the itinerary (B,L,D – breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All wines
- All entrance fees for visits/activities specified in the itinerary
- French/English speaking guides
- Return TGV train ticket between Paris and Bordeaux
Not included in prices
- Optional half-day cooking class at the château-hotel
- International transport
- Travel Insurance
- Personal spending
- Services and other meals not mentioned in the program
- Taxes
- Gratuities
CONTACT US TO BOOK*
* Please quote the following reference: FV17PETO1
