Your stay begins in Sarlat-la-Canéda the capital of the Périgord Noir with its cobbled streets, its picturesque small squares and its many architectural treasures (easiest arrival by train via Bergerac, Bordeaux or Toulouse airports). We advise you to plan your tour in a way to enjoy the colour and life of the weekly market which takes place every Wednesday morning and Saturday all day.

Transfer to Marquay (15mn) to start your walk in this charming perigourdine village with its typical houses and their lauze roofs, its fortified church of the 12th & 13th century. You cross deep oak & chestnut forests, small hills punctuated by hamlets, rock shelters dug by the River Beune before arriving at the Château de Commarque which stands on a rocky outcroop in a breathtaking landscape, the site even features troglodyte habitats and a prehistoric cave. Continue your loop back to Marquay and transfer back to Sarlat (15min).

You have two route options today: you can start your walk in Beynac (longer walk) or La Roque Gageac (shorter option). Either way you need to inform the 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 pass wooded hills above the river before you reach La Roque Gageac 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’s 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 offering panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley.

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 20hth century. You follow the left bank of the Dordogne to Castelnaud, another classified most beautiful village with its marvelous 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.

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 start in Limeuil (40 min), 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, hamlets to St Cirq, take the opportunity to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier along the route, you finish in the capital of prehistory Les Eyzies where you will spend the next two night.

Today you can choose between 2 options: a morning transfer will take you to either Saint Cyprien (where the longer walk starts, 15km) or to Meyrals (10km). Should you decide to start from St. Cyprien, you will still pass via Meyrals on your way back to Les Les Eyzies. Saint Cyprien is worth visiting especially for its Sunday market in the morning. Walk down the old streets and past the 12th century abbey church and bell tower before you head into the rolling countryside, pass farmyards, walk through forest and along trails and quiet country lanes and pass Chateau Fages. Just before entering Les Eyzies you will also pass the Font de Gaume, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This prehistoric cave is one of the most incredible Palaeolithic sites in the world, famous for its polychome paintings. (very few visitors are allowed per day and you need to prebook your entrance longer time in advance). Before or after you walk you can visit the National Museum of Prehistory right in the heart of Les Eyzies (entrance not included).

For this hiking day you can chose between two options: after breakfast transfer to Le Moustier (long walk) or to St Leon sur Vezere (short walk). From Le Moustier you 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, classified village, perhaps enjoy a refreshing drink or lunch on a café terrace with stunning views over the river then continue to the charming village of Montignac located at the foot of the famous hill of Lascaux.

Today is your departure day, so if you have enough time you can do a short loop hike taking yon the footsteps of our ancestors and straight to the famous LASCAUX II / IV cave (needs to be booked in advance!) a complete and unpublished replica that houses the oldest paintings of humanity and traces the discovery of the famous ornated cave. *Options for private transfer from Montignac to Sarlat (contact us for details).