Walking Tours in france
The Dordogne Valley - 10 days
* Ramble on the Riverbank and Round the Villages
* Walk to Hilltop Castles and Bastides
* Character Accommodation
The Dordogne, as the French say, is a land with ‘un peu de tout’, a little of everything; a gently meandering river, lush pastures, wine, walnuts, geese, the warm southern sun and of course a web of trails and paths making it ideal for a walking holiday. Don’t be surprised to hear English voices, either on vacation or in residence, as the English have long been associated with this fertile green valley where they fought and died in the Hundred Year’s War. They held the South bank of the river Dordogne and built many of the castles and fortified villages.
The eight day walk begins with an overnight at Sarrazac. From here you walk to Turenne, with its hill top castle and on to Meyssac or Collonges, an exquisite medieval village in warm, red sandstone, enclosing a priory church. The route follows the GR480, across rolling farmland and along woodland paths to Beaulieu sur Dordogne and a valley of outstanding natural beauty. Climbing out of the valley, over the ridge, you descend to the River Cere and continue via the massive red castle of Castelnau to the waterfall and 'gentihommieres' of Autoire. From the pretty village of Loubressac, perched on a scarp with splendid views, you can visit the wonderful caves of Padirac, before descending to the charming village of Carennac with its sun warmed roofs clustered above the Dordogne. From Carennac you continue along the picturesque route of the 'Cirque de Montvalent' to the delightful village of Creysse. Here the 8 day walk ends.
The 10 day walk begins at Meyssac, close to Collonges la Rouge and follows the 8 day tour as far as Creysse, with a rest day and an additional night at Carennac. Our next day takes us first to Martel where the son of Henry II, (called Henry Court-Mantel for the new short cloak he made fashionable) died during the Hundred Years' War; the house is still visible today. The walk continues over the plateau to Sarrazac, from where your final day takes you back to Collonges la Rouge and Meyssac.
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