Overview
This tour will take you to the Southwest of France in the famous Périgord noir area around Sarlat, where you will enjoy the natural beauty of the Dordogne and Vézère Valleys, which are rich in history, culture and cuisine. Walking holiday in the Dordogne Valley will take you on gentle hiking trails along the river, through chestnut forests and walnut orchards, passing by fairytale castles from the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods to some of the most beautiful villages in France and pre-historic sites with cave drawings. Explore the colourful market in Sarlat and savour the region’s specialities: foie gras, confits, truffles, and strawberries, accompanied by a glass of Bergerac wine.
- Famous Périgord Noir area
- UNESCO inscribed Vezere Valley
- Prehistoric caves
- Dordogne chateaux
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sarlat
Arrival in Sarlat-la-Canéda, the capital of the Périgord Noir, with its cobbled streets, picturesque small squares and numerous architectural treasures. Enjoy the colour and life of the weekly market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Stay overnight in Sarlat.
- Overnight in Sarlat (standard hotel: La Maison de Notaire Royal B&B or similar /charming option: Hotel Les Codeliers or similar /superior option: Le Plaza Madeleine or similar)
Day 2: The Beune Valley and Chateau de Commarque | 12km
In the morning, transfer to Marquay (~15min) to start your walk in the charming Perigourdine village with its typical houses and fortified church of the 12th-13th century. You will cross deep oak & chestnut forests, small hills punctuated by hamlets, and rock shelters dug by the river La Beune before arriving at the Château de Commarque, which stands on a rocky outcrop in a breathtaking landscape. The site even features troglodyte habitats and a prehistoric cave (visit included). Continue your loop to Marquay and transfer back to Sarlat (~15min). Stay overnight in Sarlat.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 3-3.5h ↑330m ↓330m
- Overnight in Sarlat (standard hotel: La Maison de Notaire Royal B&B or similar/charming option: Hotel Les Codeliers or similar /superior option: Le Plaza Madeleine or similar)
Day 3: The Dordogne Valley Villages | 11-18km
You have two route options for today: you can start your walk in Beynac (longer walk) or La Roque Gageac (shorter walk); you have to inform the taxi driver when you board the vehicle. From Beynac, a pretty cliff-side village with an impressive château, only ever captured once by Richard Lionheart, overlooking the Dordogne, you will pass wooded hills above the river before you reach La Roque Gageac. It is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, containing historic mansions, troglodyte dwellings, and ochre-coloured stone houses with lauze roofs and an exotic garden. There is also the opportunity of a boat ride down the river on a flat-bottomed Gabarre, reconstructions of old merchant ships from the 18th century. Stock up on regional delicacies at a nearby duck farm before reaching Domme, a magnificent bastide town dating from 1283, perched on a vertiginous cliff with golden stones and offering panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley. Stay overnight in Domme.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 5h ↑650m ↓500m / shorter alternative: 11km, 2.5-3h, ↑390m ↓280m
- Overnight in Domme (standard hotel: Les Petits Cousins du Quebec B&B or similar/charming option: Hotel de L’Esplanade or similar /superior option: Logis Nr 1 or similar)
Day 4: The Castles Around Domme | 13km
A short ride from Domme takes you into the gorgeous countryside to the Château and gardens of Milandes, the former home of Josephine Baker, legendary entertainer of the early 20th century. You will follow the left bank of the Dordogne to Castelnaud, another classified most beautiful village with its marvellous medieval castle, which played an important role during the Hundred Years’ War. Continue your climb and finish in Domme; enjoy a stroll through the village’s cobbled streets, fortified gates, towers and the covered market. Stay overnight in Domme.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 3.5h ↑430m ↓390m
- Overnight in Domme (standard hotel: Les Petits Cousins du Quebec B&B or similar/charming option: Hotel de L’Esplanade or similar /superior option: Logis Nr 1 or similar)
Day 5: Vezere Valley | 13.5-23km
Today’s walk takes you through the enchanting valley towards Les Eyzies. You can choose to be transferred to Limueil for a longer walk or directly to Le Bugue for a shorter version. If you go for the longer hike, you will start in Limeuil (40min), listed among the most beautiful in France. You cross picturesque landscapes before arriving in Le Bugue, located on the Vézère River. Follow many shady woods, farms, and hamlets to St Cirq, and take the opportunity to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier along the route. You will finish in the capital of prehistory Les Eyzies, where you will spend the next two nights. Stay overnight in Les Eyzies.
- Walking for the day: 23km, 6-7h ↑440m ↓430m / shorter alternative: 13.5km, 3.5-4h, ↑190m ↓180m
- Overnight in Les Eyzies (standard hotel: Le Menestrel B&B or similar/charming option: Hotel Cro Magnon or similar /superior option: Les Glycines or similar)
Day 6: St Cyprien/Meyrals to Les Eyzies | 10-15km
Transfer to the start of your walk, you can choose between a longer (St Cyprien – Meyrals – Les Eyzies) or a shorter version (Meyrals – Les Eyzies), through the forest, past farms and hamlets and back to Les Eyzies. You are in the rural heart of the Périgourdine countryside. After the walk, you can visit the National Museum of Prehistory in the heart of Les Eyzies (entrance not included). Stay overnight in Les Eyzies.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4h ↑320m ↓320m / shorter alternative: 10km, 3h, ↑165m ↓270m
- Overnight in Les Eyzies (standard hotel: Le Menestrel B&B or similar/charming option: Hotel Cro Magnon or similar /superior option: Les Glycines or similar)
Day 7: Montignac | 14-20km
For this hiking day, you can choose between two options. After breakfast, transfer to Le Moustier (long walk) or Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère (short walk). From Le Moustier, you will walk on the path of prehistory that runs along La Roque Saint Christophe, a troglodyte site unique in the world, before arriving at Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, a classified village. Enjoy a refreshing drink or lunch on a café terrace with stunning views over the river before you continue to the charming village of Montignac, located at the foot of the famous hill of Lascaux. Stay overnight in Montignac.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 5h ↑510m ↓510m / shorter alternative: 14km, 3.5-4h, ↑300m ↓290m
- Overnight in Montignac (standard hotel: Le Petit Monde or similar/charming option: Hotel La Roseraie or similar /superior option: Le Bouilhac or similar)
Day 8: Lascaux Cave and departure | 7km
Today is your departure day, so if you have enough time, you can do a short loop hike, taking you in the footsteps of our ancestors and straight to the famous LASCAUX II / IV cave (visiting the cave should be booked in advance). This complete and unpublished replica houses the oldest paintings of humanity and traces the discovery of the famous ornate cave. Your tour ends after your walk in Montignac. Take an included transfer from Montignac to Sarlat at 4:30pm (time can be changed, please advise at the point of booking). No overnight is included.
- Walking for the day: 7km, 2h ↑150m ↓150m
What to expect
Accommodation
On this walking holiday, you will stay in traditional 2-star hotels and country inns. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Upgrade to 3-star hotels is possible at a supplement. Superior option in 4-star hotels and deluxe guesthouses – on request.
Click to view standard hotels
- La Maison de Notaire Royal B&B (Sarlat)
- Les Petits Cousins du Quebec B&B (Domme)
- Le Menestrel B&B (Les Eyzies)
- Le Petit Monde (Montignac)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view charming hotels
- Hotel Les Codeliers (Sarlat)
- Hotel de L’Esplanade (Domme)
- Hotel Cro Magnon (Les Eyzies)
- Hotel La Roseraie (Montignac)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view superior hotels
- Hotel Le Plaza Madeleine (Sarlat)
- Hotel Logis Nr 1 (Domme)
- Hotel Les Glycines (Les Eyzies)
- Hotel Le Bouilhac (Montignac)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinners are available either from restaurants in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for moderately experienced walkers and requires a good level of fitness. Daily walks are a mixture of country paths and forest trails. On some days, you can choose between easy short hikes and long moderate hikes (read more about difficulty grades). The trails are generally easy to follow. Some of the routes on this walk are not way-marked, but we will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date from the beginning of March until mid-November. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season.
Early spring can be rainy; May and June are warm, with temperatures in the mid-20C; the temperatures are similar in September and October. In July and August, it becomes very hot with temperatures above 30C.
For more information, please see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
The closest airports for this tour are Brive-Souillac (40km), Bergerac (75km), Bordeaux (215km), and Limoges (150km).
By train or bus
- There are trains from Bergerac and Bordeaux and a bus from Brive to Sarlat. Departure from Montignac is by bus to Sarlat or Brive la Gaillarde.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights double occupancy with private facilities, in countryside 2-star hotels and guesthouses
- 7 breakfasts
- Entrance to Château de Commarque on Day 2
- All transfers during the walking days, as described in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers (1 piece up to 20kg per person)
- Digital pre-tour information kit
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Tourist tax, if due
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the itinerary
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
- Upgraded charming accommodation option with a supplement
- Upgraded superior accommodation option with a supplement
