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The Dordogne on Foot 2008

Hotel Based

The Trip

Carved out by the rivers of Dordogne, Lot and Averyron, this is a region of varying landscapes, abundant history, and renowned cuisine. Prehistoric caves, ancient chateaux, and historic bastides dot countryside of rolling hills, oak forests, limestone plateaus, and cliff-lined valleys. Here you will find all these gourmet ingredients synonymous with French cuisine: truffles, fois gras, wild mushrooms, fine wines and cheeses.

By beginning our hike in Les Eyzies, known for its major prehistoric sites, hiking along the Dordogne to such well-preserved bastide towns as Domme, and then turning south to trace the Lot River west from the medieval towns of Rocamadour, St. Cirq Lapopie to Cahors, we capture within the 8 day hike the essence and rhythm of this most quintessential of French regions.

The hike will be a combination of hiking days as well as time to explore the castles, cobbled streets, museums and sample the local food and wine. As with all our hiking and walking trips we focus on the natural environment and history, comfortable accommodations and good food.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Rendez vous at the train station in Brive-la-Gaillard for a group transfer to Les Eyzies. Perched high above the confluence of the Vezere and Beune Rivers, Les Eyzies is at the threshold of some of France’s most important Prehistoric sites. Very near the village are two important caves, the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume and the Grotte des Comarelles. Also in this small village is the very impressive National Museum of Prehistory.

Day 2: Today will be spent with a historian who specializes in prehistory. Beginning at the site where Cro-Magnon man was discovered, our day will be defined by a mix of short lectures, walks in the area and visits to impressive caves, most notably the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume.

Day 3: Again in the company of our local historian, our morning begin our day with a short transfer to the cliffs of troglodyte site Roc St. Christophe. From here our walk takes us through a rolling countryside of forests and open fields to Abri de Cap Blanc, a unique Prehistoric site of high relief cave carvings. We finish our walk at the impressive castle ruins of Chateau de Commargue built as a strong hold in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Day 4: Transfer to Lacave, where the l’Ouysse River departs from the Dordogne River. Before beginning our walk we will visit the Grottes de Lacave. Discovered in 1902, this cave offers a glimpse into the spectacular natural worlds that can exist within the earth. From Lacave an 11-km hike leads us along the riverbanks and to the famous village of Rocamadour. Rocamadour with its towering castle possesses one of the most romantic and scenic settings of any French village.

Day 5: Rest day. Staying at the same hotel for two nights, we will have time to rest and explore Rocamadour and its surrounding countryside.

Day 6: From Rocamadour we transfer to the historic village of the 13th century Bastide of Domme. The town square and neat rows of stone houses combine to make this one of the most picturesque villages in the area. The view from the bastide is wide and inspiring as you look north over the river valley. From Domme we hike to the fortress of Castelnaud. Its commanding position above the junctures of the Dordogne and Ceou valleys lends to the grandeur of this classic medieval fortress.

Day 7: Today’s hike will take us to the famous hanging gardens of the 15th century Chateau of Marqueyssac.. Called the Belvedere of the Dordogne, the panoramic view form here takes in the fortress of Beynac, the châteaux of Fayrac and Castelnaud, and the fortified villages of La Roque-Gageac and Domme. After exploring the 6 kilometers of pathways that wander through these gardens, our hike will continue along the river to Beynac. Once occupied by William the Lion Heart, Beynac has seen many transformations and now offers another intriguing look back into distant centuries.

Day 8: In the morning we visit the market in Sarlat before transfering to the train station in Brive-la-Gaillard in time for the early afternoon train to Paris.

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Additional Information

Included:

All accommodations, all breakfasts, all dinners, all group transfers as per the itinerary, group transfer from the Brive-la-Gaillard train station on day 1, guides, great hiking and memories!

Not Included:

Air fare, lunches, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to guides/leaders, items of personal nature.

Accommodations:

Comfortable 3 star hotel with private baths. The hotels will reflect the rich culture and atmosphere. The food is wonderful! Breakfasts and dinners are served at the hotels and lunches are picnic style along the trail.

Travel:

It is easiest to fly into Paris and take the train to Brive-la-Gaillard. There are 2 direct trains from Paris to Brive and they take about 4–4½ hours. You may also fly to other airports in France: Toulouse or Bordeaux for example.

Meeting point:

Brive-la-Gaillard train station at 3:00 pm on day 1.

Ending point:

Brive-la-Gaillard train station from where you can take a train to Paris or other points in France. Please allow for travel time when making air reservations.

For a more detailed itinerary or to register please call.