ITINERARY USING SARLAT AS A BASE

DAY 1 – SARLAT, JEWEL OF THE PÉRIGORD NOIR

Morning – Old town and outstanding heritage

Guided tour of the medieval old town: Sarlat Cathedral, Maison de La Boétie, cobbled streets and
bustling squares. Feast your eyes on the rooftop views from the top of Sainte-Marie bell tower.

Afternoon – Market flavours and feels
Get to grips with the local specialities on a trip to Sarlat market (Wednesday or Saturday): foie gras,
truffle, walnuts, Domme wine. Free time to shop and drop into an artisan deli for a tasting.

Overnight stay in Sarlat.

DAY 2 – THE VALLEY OF A THOUSAND CASTLES: FORTRESSES AND FORTITUDE IN THE PÉRIGORD NOIR
(30 min drive)

Morning – Beynac and Castelnaud, a tête-à-tête on the Dordogne

Panoramic drive along the Dordogne River. Visit Château de Beynac, a medieval stronghold perched on top of a rocky spur.
The next stop is its historical rival: Château de Castelnaud and its medieval warfare collections.
Incredible valley views and a parade of castles towering over the river.

Afternoon – Les Milandes, the life and times of Joséphine Baker

Venture onto the stylish Château des Milandes, once home to the singer and member of the French
Resistance, Joséphine Baker.
Explore the Renaissance manor, its grounds and exhibition devoted to the humanist artist’s life and
work.
End the day in La Roque-Gageac, one of the “Plus Beaux Vllages de France”: walk on cliffside lanes
then hop into a gabarre for a sunset cruise on the Dordogne.

Back to Sarlat for the evening.

DAY 3: LASCAUX AND PREHISTORY
(40 min drive)

Morning – Lascaux IV and the origins of art
Trip to the Centre International de l’Art Pariétal in Montignac-Lascaux.
Learn everything there is to know about the replica cave and how its prehistoric murals were reproduced.

Afternoon – Vézère and troglodyte heritage
Visit the Musée National de Préhistoire in Les Eyzies and the prehistoric shelters in the Vézère Valley, listed as UNESCO World Heritage.

Back to Sarlat for the evening.

DAY 4 – PÉRIGORD GARDENS AND BASTIDES
(30-45 drive subject to option)

Option A – Jardins de Marqueyssac

Visit the park overlooking the Dordogne Valley: 150,000 hand-pruned shrubs, viewing platform over the river and topiary activities.

Option B – Domme and local crafts

Drink in the fabulous valley views at the hilltop bastide. Tour a truffle farm or leather and stone workshop.
Back to Sarlat for the evening.