Tour 1 – Medieval Sarlat la Canéda, bastille village of Domme & Château Castelnaud

10Sep

Sarlat-la-Canéda– The jewel of the Dordogne

Sarlat is the gastronomic capital of the Dordogne and the best example of a preserved medieval town in France. It is just 12Km from Les Charmes de Carlucet. It has festivals and food events all year round including a fantastic weekly market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

With its beautiful old stone, magnificent architecture from 15th and 16th centuries and winding cobbled streets, there are surprises around every corner.

It is beautiful to visit by day and beautiful to visit by night when the streetlights are lit by gas light. It also has some of the most highly rated restaurants in the whole of the Dordogne, if not France.

Domme- Medieval bastille village

Domme is one of the most special places to visit. It is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It has a remarkable panorama on the Dordogne valley. This small medieval bastille village is perfect for a stopover. Restaurants, shops of local products, bars, ice creams and a very interesting cave with its entrance underneath the tourist information office in the center of the village.

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle– 12th century magnificent chateau

The magnificent chateau of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is perched in a spectacular position high above the Dordogne valley. Founded in the 12th century as a medieval fortress. The chateau was occupied mostly by the English during the 100 year war with France. It houses a very interesting and interactive museum suitable for all ages and offers spectacular views from its battlements over the Dordogne and Beynac château beyond.

Tour 2 – “Les Plus Beaux Villages” of Beynac & La Roque Gageac & Château Milandes

09Sep

Beautiful village and chateau of Beynac

Visit the “Plus Beaux village”of Beynac. Nestled into the rocks along the side of the Dordogne river. The location for the Film “Chocolate”, and most recently the new Ridley Scott film “The Last Duel”. You can start your visit with a tour around the stunning Chateau perched high above the cliffs and Dordogne river below, followed by a wander through the ancient cobbled streets of the pretty village of Beynac which meanders its way from the Chateau down to the Dordogne river.

The Chateau of Beynac was at the heart of the 100 year war between France and England. It is one of the most authentic and preserved Chateaux in France.

Guided boat trips along the Dordogne in a traditional “Gabarre” barge which used to transport goods from the villages of the Dordogne to Bordeaux, can be enjoyed from Beynac and also from nearby La Roque-Gageac. They take about 1 hour and are a wonderful way to discover the river and its habitat.

La Roque-Gageac

Next to Beynac is another “Plus Beaux Village” of La Roque Gageac. Also nestled into the cliffs which tower above the majestic Dordogne river below.

The restaurant La Belle Etoile, is a fantastic lunch spot with wonderful food and an amazing view of the Dordogne river from its sunny terrace.

After lunch we recommend a visit to the beautiful chateau and former home of Josephine Baker, Chateau Milandes. This stunning Renaissance château has wonderful panoramic view over the Dordogne and also a beautiful garden to discover.

Tour 3 – Caves of Lascaux, St. Leon sur Vezere & La Roque St Christophe

08Sep

Lascaux Caves

Enjoy a guided tour around the incredible caves of Lascaux 4 with the world famous cave paintings by Cro Magnon man from 16,000 years ago. Guided tours take about 1 hour, followed by a visit to the interactive museum. The caves were discovered by accident by 4 school boys in 1940. Lascaux caves are just outside the town of Montignac and about 20 mins from Les Charmes de Carlucet.

Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère

The nearby “Plus beaux villages” of St. Leon sur Vezere is an incredibly picturesque village on the banks of the Vezere. It’s a wonderful place to stop for lunch. We recommend Restaurant Le Petit Leon. Set in a beautiful garden next to the Chateau of St Leon, it is owned and run by the incredibly talented chef, Nick Honeyman, from the celebrated French restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand, Paris Butter. You need to book a head as its very popular. It is  about 25 mins from Les Charmes de Carlucet.

La Roque St. Christophe

A short drive from St Leon sur Vezere, following the Vezere river, is La Roque St Christophe, an outstanding prehistoric and troglodyte village built into the cliffs. Many artifacts are still there today so it’s easy to imagine how life was during those ancient times.

Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, it is a truly magnificent site, not only because it is so rare and so beautiful, but also because of its powerful shapes, numerous dwelling and the length of time it was inhabited by mankind. It is about 30 mins from Les Charmes de Carlucet.

Tour 4 -Discover the most beautiful gardens in the Dordogne

07Sep

There are many beautiful gardens in the Dordogne region, but 2 stand out far above all the others.

Les Jardins d’Eyrignac

The spectacular gardens of Eyrignac, just 10 mins drive from Les Charmes de Carlucet and widely regarded as the most beautiful gardens in the Dordogne region. Famous for their excellent examples of topiary. A stunning setting high above the Dordogne countryside with spectacular far reaching views. The restaurant in the gardens serves lunch until 3pm in a beautiful settling.

Jardins de Marqueyssac

Also not to be missed is a visit to the spectacular suspended gardens of Marqueyssac, the most visited gardens in Perigord. With 150,000 box shrubs pruned by hand. These gardens are splendid. 5 minutes from Castelnaud la Chapelle and 25 mins from Les Charmes de Carlucet, it has one of the best panoramic views over the valley of the Dordogne and La Roque Gageac.

Large open spaces and fun for families with children with its small playground. Peacocks wander through the gardens and around the specular Chateau of Marqueyssac.