France - The Dordogne
The Dordogne offers a favourable climate , beautiful chateaux, traditional gastronomy and landscapes that will take your breathe away.
The Dordogne offers a favourable climate , beautiful chateaux, traditional gastronomy and landscapes that will take your breathe away.
The Dordogne comes close to offering everything travellers heading to France are looking for, including a favourable climate, beautiful chateaux, traditional France gastronomy and landscapes that take your breathe away. An area of outstanding natural beauty, rolling hills, ancient villages and castles – it is ripe to be explored. Characterised by dark woodlands, predominantly of oak and walnut, the river valleys have cut impressive limestone cliffs containing caves of prehistoric interest. Elsewhere gentle hills are covered in the yellow of sunflowers or the purple of vineyards producing the famous Bergerac wines. The medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda is our base – the most charming town of the region remaining largely unchanged since the 14th century.
ITINERARY
Saturday - Early morning departure from Dorset via channel crossing to France. Drive through the French countryside passing Paris to Orleans in the Loire Valley - overnight stop at Hotel Ibis Orleans Centre with dinner and buffet breakfast.
Sunday - Continue southwards on L'Occitane autoroute that links central France with the south. Arriving Sarlat late afternoon with a welcome drink of kir while the bags are portered. Set menu on arrival evening - choice menu all other nights.
Monday - At leisure in Sarlat - a picturesque tangle of honey-coloured buildings, alleyways and secret squares. Landmark buildings include the bishop's palace, the cathedral, the lantern of the dead, the presidial (old prison), Grezel mansion, city hall and many more… enjoy!
Tuesday - This morning we head to the famous Lascaux IV Caves for a self guided tour of the exhibition centre. Hidden for more than 17,000 years and rediscovered in 1940 the caves contain some of the best pre-historic cave paintings in the world. Lunch is available in the pretty back-water village of Montignac, set astride the River Vezere. This afternoon we shall visit the Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac for a 1 hour tour. An amazing feast for the senses awaits - 7 themed gardens from formal to wild, Chinese to French parterre and more. There will be free time to make your own discoveries and soak up the spectacle.
Wednesday - We drive to nearby Beynac which spreads itself along the banks of the River Dordogne - stone cottages cling to the bank and narrow lanes wind up to the castle that overlooks the town. We shall join a 1 hour boat cruise on a replica 18th century "gabarre" boat to enjoy the stunning waterside sights. In the afternoon we shall tour along the riverbanks towards Souillac and then onto Martel. Here the Haut-Quercy Railway (steam or vintage diesel) will haul us on a fantastic journey - 8 miles along an 80 metre high ledge above the Dordogne valley viewing its wonderful panoramas - breath-taking!
Thursday - This morning make a scenic drive to Rocamadour, set in a gorge above a tributary of The Dordogne, it historically attracted pilgrims to the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary which crowns the town. One of the Grand Sites of France - it is not to be missed - a dramatic and beautiful place voted favourite village of the French. This afternoon we shall call at the village of Domme, set on a hilltop 150 metres above the River Dordogne, it is a fortified bastide village with thick walls and gates. The entire town is gorgeous, immaculately preserved and the views are sensational. A land train runs around the town and provides an English commentary of the sights.
Friday - We bid our hosts at La Hoirie a fond farewell and head northwards back through France to Ibis Orleans Centre for overnight stay with dinner and breakfast.
Saturday - Drive to channel crossing and so homeward bound to arrive in Dorset that evening.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotel la Hoirie, Sarlat-la-Caneda
A superb 3 star hotel located in its own grounds just a short distance from the town centre. It actually consists of two buildings – the main one being an authentic 13th century farming lodge which houses the restaurant a rustic-chic bar and an airy conservatory where meals are served. The second building opened in 2018 and was built in traditional stone and slate - it houses 26 state of the art bedrooms and the main reception. Guest rooms are stylish and provide private bathroom with free toiletries, hairdryer, television, phone, air-conditioning, tea tray and free wifi. The restaurant is semi-gastronomic – upscale traditional dishes using local ingredients are presented in a more relaxed and informal ambiance. There is a bar and lounge in which to socialise and an outdoor terrace set in a soothing courtyard planted with trees. A large outdoor swimming pool offers respite from the summer sun complete with loungers and umbrellas. A lift serves upper floors.
TOUR PRICE: £1150.00 Per Person
Single room supplement: £240.00
Includes: All coach travel, Channel crossing, 2 x overnight hotel in Orleans, 5 x nights hotel in Sarlat, Half board meals, Porterage at Sarlat, Entrance to Lascaux IV Exhibition, Entry to Les Jardins du Manoir, Gabarres boat cruise, Haut-Quercy train fare.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Other Points in Dorset | Phone us to discuss a convenient pick up. |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | St Nicholas Church, Buxton Road, Weymouth |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
| From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites |
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