Page 421 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

5 DAYS

in the Dordogne

Day 1 delicatessen just steps from the Musée
d’Art et d’Archéologie du Périgord (p445).
Morning There’s no more dramatic way Evening Follow the River Isle northeast
to start a tour of the Dordogne than at from Périgueux 20 minutes to Sorges
stunning Rocamadour (p426). Climb all
216 steps of the Grand Escalier to explore and sample sumptuous truffles, a local
delicacy, at Auberge de la Truffe (p433).
the cliff-side Cité Religeuse.
Afternoon Make your way to L’Hospitalet
for fabulous views, then on to Gouffre de Day 4
Padirac, where a boat trip takes visitors Morning Drive west to Brantôme (p432),
along a stream to the sub terranean Lac the “Venice of Périgord”. Admire beautiful
de la Pluie (lake of rain). pieces at glass-blower Eric Simonin’s work-
Evening Drive an hour west to the hilltop shop (www.ericsimonin.fr) and wander the
town of Domme (p436). At L’Esplanade leafy banks of the river Donne. Lunch on
hotel-restaurant the terrace affords seafood at waterside Au Fil de l’Eau (p433).
verdant countryside vistas (p433). Afternoon Leave the car behind and
canoe downriver to Bourdeilles (p433),
Day 2 to tour the château and soak up the
atmosphere of this lovely old village.
Morning Set off early to Sarlat, where Evening Catch a taxi from Bourdeilles
each Saturday, the town square fills with to Valeuil, then ride the 1A or 1B bus
market stalls laden with fois gras, wal nuts to return to Brantôme for the night.
and truffles (p424).
Afternoon Travel into the tranquil Vézère Day 5
Valley, famed for its prehistoric art. Marvel
at spectacular cave paintings of horses, Morning Journey south to the market
bison and deer in Lascaux (p434). town of Bergerac (p434), surrounded by
Evening Find a tasty dinner and cosy bed vineyards. The Maison des Vins can tell
at Les Glycines (p441), a bijou hotel in glo- you more about the local terroir.
rious countryside on the way to Périgueux. Afternoon Drive south of Bergerac, to
sample wines at the idyllic 16th-century
Day 3 Château de Monbazillac (www.chateau-
monbazillac.com). Explore the castle’s
Morning Just a short drive northwest lies attractive surrounding gardens.
Périgueux (p444), where you can strike Evening Return to Bergerac and
out on foot to explore Roman remains Restaurant L’Imparfait (www.imparfait.
and a Byzantine-style cathedral. com) for café liégois (coffee ice cream
Afternoon Sample regional favourites at topped with chantilly cream) – a house
Pierrot Gourmet (6 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville) a specialty – a dreamy end to your trip.
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