Dordogne - Famous For History and Its Culinary Capital, Sarlat
Thousands of years ago, unknown artists created breathtaking etchings, drawings and paintings on the walls of caves of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area. The Dordogne region is also famous for its outstanding quality and diversity of food and the culinary capital of the area is without a doubt Sarlat.
The region is also home to more than 1000 Castles and Manors that date back to the Hundred Years War as both English and French fought to possess the area. Most of the castles line the Dordogne River and are perfect examples of medieval military architecture.
Depart from Bordeaux and Visit Lascaux IV Museum
Pick up in the morning at your centrally located Bordeaux hotel and depart towards the Dordogne Region. In the morning, reach Montignac where the world famous cave of Lascaux IV is located. Discover brand-new Lascaux IV International Center of Parietal Art. The museum is a triumph of technology: unlike any other cave visits, Lascaux 4 employs different set designs, displays, state-of-the-art interactive workshops and immersive technology to bring it to life. For the very first time, all of Lascaux cave is revealed. This new center features an interactive gallery experience that blends Art, History and Culture with intelligence and sensitivity. At the heart of the experience you will discover a life size, state of the art facsimile cave that reveals the wonders of Lascaux as they were first seen.
In 2018, the museum was listed on Time Magazine’s 100 Greatest Places to visit saying: “The Snohetta-designed complex features some 600 prehistoric paintings and 1,000 engravings, all painstakingly re-created by a team of two dozen artists working from physical castings and advanced 3-D digital scans or the original artwork”! Here, follow an English guided tour of the cave – a perfect reproduction of the original – and awe at some of the most magical paintings, masterpieces of Paleolithic Art.
Then reach the small town of Sarlat
Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and is one of the town's most representative of 14th century France. Located in the heart of the Perigord Noir, the town possesses an outstanding number of buildings and houses dating from the 13th to 18th century. Highlights of the town include the Lantern of the Dead, Saint Sacerdos Cathedral, Saint Mary church and covered market, the house of La Boétie and so much more. On Wednesdays and Saturdays your guide will also point out all the main specialties that one can find in the Sarlat Market. During your stop in Sarlat, you will have some time for personal discovery and lunch.
Finally, visit the village of Beynac
Arrive in Beynac to admire the village and the Castle. This Middle Ages construction, with its austere appearance, is perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town and the north bank of the Dordogne River. The castle was built from the 12th century by the barons of Beynac (one of the four baronies of Périgord) to close the valley. The sheer cliff face being sufficient to discourage any assault from that side, the defenses were built up on the plateau: double crenelated walls, double moats, one of which was a deepened natural ravine, double barbican. This charming village is classified as one of the most beautiful of France.
This private tour ensures you enjoy full attention from your guide.
