I have prepared for you a list of selected towns and villages in southwestern France, those that particularly impressed me, and even if some of them do not warrant a special trip, they are definitely worth a detour. The guide includes information about the villages, photos and links to relevant websites. If you are interested in reading about the history of these villages, You are welcome to access the article here..
The list is in alphabetical order, and there is no preference for a particular village. Villages marked with an asterisk are members of the “Beautiful Villages of France” association. And finally – this is not a Torah from Sinai. There are many more wonderful places in these regions, many of which I am not familiar with myself. Don’t hesitate to stray from the main path and discover new gems!
Autoire, Lot * (autoire)
A small village, alleys with houses of local honey-colored stone, some also with wooden lintels in the style common in the region (Colombages). The village was first mentioned in documents of a nearby monastery in 895. In the center of the village is a square with a beautiful stone fountain, at the base of which are four dolphins. Next to it is a church from the 12th century.
Many houses in the village are original, hundreds of years old. Some of them have small watchtowers integrated into the stone walls, a memento of a more turbulent time. One of the characteristics of the “beautiful villages” – well-kept houses and colorful gardens – the residents here have not hid their hands in the dish and almost every house is surrounded by a blooming, colorful and beautifully maintained garden. The village has many restaurants and cafes, relative to the number of its residents (less than 400). The village is charming – not to be missed.
Links for more information about Otwar:
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Correze *
Located in the Correze department – but right on the border of the Dordogne department. Literally, “a beautiful place on Dordogne. The village, which merged with the neighboring village of Brivezac in 2019, is a medieval village built entirely around the monastery founded here in 860. Over the years, houses were added around it and the settlement slowly grew. The entrance to the village is through a large stone gate, Porte Sainte-Catherine, a remnant of the walls that surrounded it. The central square is the market square and is surrounded by alleys with stone or wooden stilt houses, some decorated with statues, stone carvings or other decorations. Reddish, pointed tiled roofs, under which are balconies and small wooden bridges, and all this is immersed in colorful and well-kept flower gardens. The church, from the 12th century, is built in a distinct Romanesque style. A large village market is held in the village square every Wednesday morning.
Links for more information about Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne:
Bergerac, Dordogne
A major provincial town with a population of about 26,000. The town gained worldwide fame following the playwright Edmond Rostand's cheerful play, "Cyrano de Bergerac," which has no connection with this town. The story is about a knight named Cyrano, a member of the Bergerac family who live in the Chevreuse Valley in the region. ParisFollowing the name, and the success of the play, the playwright changed the residence of the protagonist of the play in question to this town.
The city is the “capital” of the purple Périgord. The old center, the city center, is the interesting and touristy part where most of the sites to visit are concentrated (the northern bank of the Dordogne River). The central square – Place Pelissiere – is where the Saint Jacques Church stands, parts of which were destroyed during the Wars of Religion in Europe. Next to it stands a large statue of Cyrano de Bergerac, who, as mentioned, has no connection to the city at all. In the same square you will also see a large fountain that was once used by the women of the city as a public laundry place, as was common throughout Europe (until the invention of the washing machine). Saint James Street leads out of the square, where there are several beautiful and interesting houses, especially house number 26 (14th century) which is decorated with several special statues.
You will see more interesting houses on Saint Clar Street, where the phenomenon of the second floor protruding beyond the first floor is striking... It should be remembered that in the past, municipal tax payments were calculated based on the area of land occupied by the building on the street.
An interesting site in the town is the Tobacco Museum, which describes a history of more than 3,000 years and how tobacco leaves came to Europe. A little south of the town, near a castle called Chateau de Bridoire, you will find a large maze in a cornfield (in season). See details on the website.
Links for more information about Bergerac:
Beynac-et-Cazenac, Dordogne *
When you discover the location of this charming village, “squeezed” between the river and a rocky mountain, you immediately understand why this place was chosen to build a watchtower to oversee the movement of ships and goods on the Dordogne River. Over the years, a village has been built around the castle and this peaceful village is one of the most beautiful villages in France (there is no choice, this sentence will be repeated many times on this trip). 1115 is the year in which the place is first mentioned, when the local duke – Meynard, a man of Beinac – gave the mountain as a gift to the priests of a nearby monastery. Unlike many other villages and settlements in the area, this village does not have a special and specific site to visit – just stroll and wander through the narrow alleys.
Links for more information about Beynac-et-Cazenac, Dordogne:
Capdenac-le-Haut, Lot * (Capdenac-le-Haut)
Again, one of the most beautiful villages. Built on a cliff, 110 meters above a large bend of the Lot River, and from the top of the cliff it looks as if the village is completely surrounded by water. Due to its location – high, and surrounded by water – this settlement has always been chosen as a place of observation and defense, and there are hypotheses (not yet proven) that it was a fortress back in the time of the Gallic tribe (one of the Celtic tribes in Western Europe before the Romans), when they fought the invading Roman legions (first century BC). For centuries, the village was a thriving and bustling trading post between the provinces of central and northern France. France, to those of the south. The old part of the village is the more picturesque and interesting, where you can see the medieval Donjon (square watchtower), with two gates in the wall: Gergovia Gate and Vigane Gate, the garrison guard house, also known as House Sully, and the Church of Saint John the Baptist.
Among the alleys and old stone fences, gardens and courtyards – some well-kept and blooming, making you want to go in and visit, while others have remained faithful to the signs of time. Gray stones covered with lichen and moss, wild vegetation between the “dry stone” (Pierre Seche, a construction method without cement and plaster, common throughout the Mediterranean basin). A courtyard covered in wild grass, seemingly abandoned, overlooks over a low stone fence to the meandering river, several dozen meters below. In two rectangular rocks, long and heavy in appearance, fixed in the ground of the courtyard, parallel grooves are visible – probably cart wheels that were parked here, now replaced by the tires of a more modern car. Further on, among the alleys and windings of the village, you can also stroll along a fragrant and sensual path in the “Garden of the Five Senses” (Jardin des Cinq Sens). A wonderful place!
Links to additional information about Kapdanek-le-Ho:
Cardaillac, Lot * (Cardiac)
A medieval village built around the castle at the top of the hill. The surviving castle has round and square towers from which you can look out over the alleys and the village houses covered with clay roofs with tiles in different colors, even if they all range from red to dark brown. This is where the concept of the dispersed museum was “reinvented”. Instead of concentrating the exhibits in one building, a walking route was prepared between the village houses in which the traveler passes various houses – the house of the chestnut dryer, the plum oven, the old school, the wooden clog maker, and other important “institutions” in medieval villages. You can also see a medieval garden in the place where flowers and medicinal plants are grown that were already known in ancient times to have medicinal properties, or – mercifully for the wanderer – to have magical and magical properties.
Links for more information about Cardaillac:
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Dordogne *
A beautiful village located on the banks of the Dordogne River. From the large castle around which the entire village is built, you can overlook a wonderful view of the river valley as far as the eye can see. Along the bank, the water, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes. A fairly steep climb leads to the castle (you can also reach it by car. Follow the arrows) as you pass a church on the way, which unusually is not on the top of the hill - this place is reserved for the castle itself. The village's alleys are winding, steep, paved with stone, and from every corner you can see roofs with clay tiles, old wooden shutters and also those that have recently been visited by a paintbrush, and all of this is immersed in an abundance of flowers and vines. At the top of the hill stands Castelnaud Castle, which is probably one of the most beautiful castles in the Dordogne Valley. The castle has many rooms, some furnished with original furniture, but the highlight is the guard room with an impressive museum of period weapons.
Not far from the village, on the Vielcroze farm, is the Walnut Museum – as mentioned above, an important product in local agriculture.
Links for more information about Castelnau-la-Chapelle:
Domme, Dordogne * (Domme)
Domme is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France and occupies a wonderful position high above the Dordogne River. The village is charming and the views are a bonus as is the cave system just below the main square. Domme’s tourist office is housed in an old stone house on the main square – Place de la Halle, in the very impressive Maison du Gouverneur (Governor’s House) on the square. This is the main part of the town, surrounded by beautiful 13th century buildings. The bastide (fortified town) was founded in 1281 by King Philip the Bold.
The caves (Grottes de Domme) were once used to protect the town's inhabitants during the Hundred Years' War, although the upper part was only discovered in 100. The site has more than 1954 metres of stalactite-filled galleries and a glass elevator that takes you back up to the surface. Just opposite the Place de Halle is the Belvedere de la Barre, a wonderful viewpoint and the start of the Falaise promenade - a short walk leading to a public park. The route is high above the Dordogne River so the views are spectacular. Sections of the promenade border the remains of the fortified walls that surrounded parts of the town. The public park at the end of the promenade is a good place for a picnic. Also in the town are the old monastery, the Couvent des Augustins and the Maison du batteur de monnaie du Roy (literally, "House of the Royal Mint", a testament to the town's status) where money was minted in the Middle Ages. From the main square, Place de la Halle, you will wander through the surrounding streets. All of them reveal interesting architecture, from the Colombages (wooden beams) buildings to the steep roofs, typical of the Dordogne region, some with small turrets. Some of the alleys lead to the various stone gates in the walls surrounding the square town.
Unusually among bastide towns, Domme has retained some of its original fortified walls and gates to the town. The walls are exceptionally thick and only three of the original doors remain. The Porte des Tours (Gate of the Towers) is perhaps the most impressive, with its round towers, but the Porte de la Combe and Porte del Bos are also very pretty and can be reached by walking along charming streets lined with a mix of houses and private estates. The towers of the Porte des Tours were converted into prisons in 1307 when the Knights Templar were arrested by the king, and you can still see the engraved crosses they carved while they were imprisoned. The prison is open to visitors all year round. You can walk around the walls on the south side of the town between the Porte del Bos and the Porte de la Combe. There are some great views across the countryside (and glimpses of some very impressive houses and gardens built right inside the walls). Domme is larger than most of the bastide towns in the area, and because it sits high above the Dordogne, overlooking spectacular views of the river and surrounding countryside, it is a 'must see' site if you are travelling in the area.
Links for more information about Domme:
Issigeac, Dordogne
A small village, from the Middle Ages of course, which hosts a colorful and cheerful market, especially popular with the residents of the area, every Sunday morning. In addition, during the summer months, July-August, the village holds a night market every Thursday evening (starting at 19:00 PM). Most of the village houses today are from the 13th to the 16th centuries, but almost all are built on much older houses, some even from the Roman period. Unlike any old settlement, Issyk-Kul does not have a distinct “village center” but only a series of alleys and small streets.
Link to more information about Isaac:
La Roque Gageac, Dordogne *
Although, this village is a member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” association, regardless, it is truly one of the most beautiful villages I have ever visited. The village, “squeezed” between a mountain and a river, is made up of alleys that go up and down, winding up and down quite steeply…. Full of wonderful houses and magical alleys. Take an hour, two hours or even more to get lost between stone walls and fences, alleys paved with centuries-old stones. Built on the banks of the Dordogne River, adjacent to the La Malartrie castle, (no visits, but can be rented for a week. 5,500€….) located at the western end of the village, there is nothing special in the village, or an important building that must be visited, but it is a charming village. Don’t miss it!
Links for more information about La Roque Gageac:
Lascaux II, Grotte de, Dordogne
UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lascaux Caves are a network of caves near the village of Montignac, in the Dordogne region of southwestern France. Over 600 ancient wall paintings cover the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. The paintings mainly represent large animals, which correspond with the fossil record (skeletons, bones) of the Upper Paleolithic period in the area. The geological debate continues, but the age of the paintings is now generally estimated to be around 17,000 to 30,000 years old (Early Magdalenian period). Because of the extraordinary prehistoric art in the cave, Lascaux was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, as part of the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vezere Valley. The original caves have been closed to the public since 1963, as their condition has deteriorated, but there are now several replicas.
history
The entrance to the Lascaux Cave was discovered by 18-year-old Marcel Rabidet when his dog, “Robot,” explored a hole left by a tree uprooted in a storm (September 1940). Rabidet returned with three friends and they entered the cave through a 15-meter-deep shaft that they believed might be a secret passage to the legendary Lascaux mansion, which according to folk tales was located nearby. The teenagers discovered that the walls of the cave were covered with pictorial depictions of animals. Galleries that offer continuity, connection, or simply represent a cave were given names. These include the “Hall of the Bulls,” the “Passage,” the “Shaft,” the “Naves,” the “Apse,” and the “Cat Room.” They returned with Abbot Henri Broy on September 21, 1940. Broy made many sketches of the cave paintings, some of which are now used as study material in comparison to their current condition, due to the extreme deterioration of many of the paintings.
The cave complex was opened to the public on July 14, 1948, and initial archaeological investigations began a year later, focusing on the shaft. By 1955, carbon dioxide, heat, humidity, and other pollutants generated by 1,200 visitors a day had significantly damaged the paintings. As their condition deteriorated, more and more fungi and lichens covered the decorated walls. As a result, it was decided to close the cave to the public in 1963, the paintings were restored to their original condition, and a daily monitoring system was introduced.
Copies
Preservation problems at the original cave made the creation of the replicas all the more important. Lascaux II – an exact replica of the Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery – was exhibited at the Grand Palais in Paris, before being displayed from 1983 in an artificial cave built near the original cave, in an attempt to present the paintings and the environment to the public without damaging the original. The full range of Lascaux prehistoric art is on display a few kilometers from the site, at the Prehistoric Art Center, Le Parc du Thot, which also features real, flesh-and-blood animals representing the fauna of the Ice Age. The paintings at this site were reproduced with the same type of materials such as iron oxide, charcoal and ochre, which scientists believe were used 19 years ago. Other replicas of Lascaux have been created over the years.
Lascaux III – a series of five accurate reproductions of cave art (“The Oasis” and “The Shaft”) that have been traveling around the world since 2012, allowing knowledge about Lascaux to be shared far from the original.
Lascaux IV – A new copy (December 2016) of all the painted areas in the cave, which is part of the International Center for Pariétal Art (Centre International de l'Art Pariétal). This larger and more accurate copy, which combines digital and laser technologies, is displayed in a new museum built into the hill overlooking the village of Montignac.
Note: In my personal opinion, Lascaux II is the most impressive. Lascaux IV may be more accurate, but too “scientific” and stylized.
Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac, Dordogne
One of the first settlements of early man in Europe is in the Vezere River Valley, which is full of historical sites, whether caves used for painting or as places of worship, or living caves. This valley also houses an open-air museum dedicated entirely to early man – Le Park du Thot.
An important site in the village (for those interested) is the National Prehistoric Museum, where you will see, in addition to many different finds, the oldest Neanderthal skeletons found in the area, including the skeleton of a 40,000-year-old baby.
Links for more information about Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac:
Limeuil, Dordogne *
Another village that is a member of the Association of Beautiful Villages in France, and it is truly a beautiful village (how many times have I already written this sentence?). The village has preserved a large part of its old houses, including the small and crowded alleys, to the point that some of them cannot even be entered by car – either because they are very narrow, or to preserve the peace and tranquility of the village. It is recommended to park the car along the riverbank, and before you sit down to sip a cup of coffee (you can also have a glass of wine. France is the only country in the world where wine is cheaper than mineral water), wander a bit among the ancient houses. It should be noted that the village existed, and functioned as a commercial and transportation center (on the water), already during the time of the Celtic tribes who gave it the name Lemoialum, which in the Celtic language means “place planted with elms” (a type of tree).
Links for more information about Limay:
Loubressac, Lot *
A cluster of pointed roofs, covered with brown tiles, and everything is immersed in greenery – trees, bushes and flowers. This is the first sight that comes to mind on the road that climbs to this small village (very close to the village of Autoire, see above). As usual, a 13th-century church stands in the village square, combined with a large, square bell tower. Wandering through the village alleys, you can make out the views of the Dordogne Valley, along which the village is built, from the houses and courtyards.
Links for more information about Lubersac:
Marqueyssac, Jardin de, Dordogne
It's not a beautiful village, it's not a wonderful castle, nor is it an amazing church... Some people find an ashram in plants. Branches, leaves, flowers, trees, and other greens sticking out of the ground. In the Dordogne region, there are several famous gardens with diverse and dense vegetation, wild or arranged (English-style garden, or French-style garden - a topic in itself), which have become famous around the world. In this list, I mention only one, but know that there are more, and not only in this region.
A private area, over 2 square kilometers, around an 18th-century castle. The garden was designed in the mid-19th century mainly using shrubs and low trees, rather than flowers arranged in beds. After World War II, for economic reasons, the garden passed to the owners of the nearby Chateau de Castelnaud. There is nothing special to note, see or examine in the garden area. A team of gardeners takes care to design blocks of vegetation in a variety of shapes and structures, simple or complicated, green or combined with colorful flowers, as their imagination best suits them - animals, geometric shapes or paths and beds intertwined as in an abstract imaginary painting. Just stroll, look out over the Dordogne River shimmering between the trees and around the bushes and enjoy the green landscape.
Links to more information about Marqueyssac, Jardin de:
Martel, Lot * (Martel)
Everything has already been said in the previous pages about the beautiful villages of the Dordogne region, but the uniqueness of the small town of Martel lies in its seven towers, one of which is special – a round tower integrated into the stone walls of the building that stands opposite the covered market in the town's central square. On the commercial road between Paris To the southern city of Toulouse, and the riverbank that has always served as an important transportation route, the town became a large and bustling commercial center. In the 13th century, quite a few large and magnificent houses were built there - a world that collapsed and was destroyed in the religious wars that raged in Europe in the 14th and 17th centuries. Among the important sites in the town, the church of Saint-Maur (Saint Maur), the palace of Raymondi (Palais Raymondi, 1280), the remains of the various walls and towers and of course the covered market square in the center of the town (market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in the morning, until noon).
Links for additional information about Martel:
Monpazier, Dordogne *
Countless sentences can be said about this village – medieval times, the most classic typical bastide possible, walls and gates, a square market square, a tourist village, one of the “most beautiful villages”, and yet – it is one of the most pleasant and beautiful villages that I, personally, have visited in the Dordogne region.
Like many others in the area, the village was founded in the late 13th century, 1284 to be exact, by Edward I, the King of England who ruled the area at the time. The village centre – with its houses, alleys and market square – has remained virtually unchanged for over 600 years. Today, apart from the commercial market held in the village every Thursday, the square market square is full of boutiques, restaurants, shops and bustling cafes at all hours of the day, and of course even more so during the weekend.
Despite its great age, the village has remained almost unchanged, both in the central square and the houses around it. Through open windows or doors, you can see a stone floor on which a modern baking oven has been placed, or small pebbles intended to balance a refrigerator or washing machine. Delicate white lace curtains cover the windows at street level, and wooden barrels or colorful flower planters cover staircases – only 3 or 5 steps – that lead from the narrow street straight to the guest room, or to the kitchen, in some houses. Most of the houses have been painted or repaired, but here and there you can still see old houses, some even dilapidated and abandoned, with signs saying “For Sale” or “For Demolition and Renovation”. Wandering through the small alleys, between steps and paving stones worn and etched with the signs of time, is a wonderful journey into previous centuries where, despite the cars parked on the side of the alley, it still seems as if time has stood still. Because the village is special, central, and an important tourist site, it hosts special seasonal festivals and events from time to time. One of the most important of these is a procession – a parade, or journey, if you will – of antique cars that gather in the village square and set off on a slow and colorful journey through the district’s roads. All the cars are in running order and at least 50 years old! The problem is, the dates of the event change and it’s hard to find out in advance. All that remains is to hope that you might “fall” on such an event. And even without it. Don’t miss it – one of the pearls of the entire district.
Links for more information about Monpazier:
Rocamadour, Lot * (Rocamadour)
A small town, beautifully situated on a mountainside, which over the years has become an important religious center, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Christianity in general, and not only in France. It should be noted that the appearance of the village hanging on the cliff – literally – is much more impressive when viewed from the access road to it, than when you are inside the village itself.
Please note: There is no car access into the village. Five parking lots are scattered around it, some above it, at the top of the cliff (P1-P4), and another one, P5, at the bottom of the valley overlooking the village. From this parking lot there is a small, white tram that brings you to the center of the village (for a fee).
216 steps lead from the village itself to the square of churches in the middle of the cliff (there is also an elevator, hidden in a trespassing passage on the commercial street at the bottom of the town). The square has several churches, one of which is built around a black statue of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. This is not the place to detail the various beliefs and rituals that take place on the site on different occasions - they can be found on the various sites listed below and dedicated to this important village. Above the square of churches is the upper plain of the village, the plateau at the top of the cliff, from which roads continue to the higher surrounding villages (such as, for example, L'Hospitalet).
Beyond the religious aspect, the ancient village itself is beautiful, with dense and winding alleys. As in many villages in the area, human settlement here was already present in the Paleolithic period (about 3 million years ago), in caves and natural shelters. The three “floors” of the current village were only created during the Middle Ages – the Order of Knights, the defenders of the village, lived and worked on the upper plain. The clergy on the middle plain, where the churches are still located today, and the agricultural workers and daily services, on the lower plain. Early documents mention that a small church was on the site as early as 1105, the beginning of the 12th century. In 1148, the first documented miracle occurred there when a statue of the Black Mary shed tears during prayer…. Monks flocked to the place and at first most of them secluded themselves in the many caves in the area, but the village quickly grew.
You will likely be attracted to the commercial tourist aspect of the village – much more than the Christian religious one. Wander through the beautiful village, turn left and right into the narrow alleys and get lost between the stone walls and iron gates.
Links for more information about Rocamadour:
Saint-Amand-de-Coly, Dordogne *
Well, there’s not much to see here. At least not sites that are recognized as important places to visit. This is a small village that is unique (unique? We saw plenty of it around) in being listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France.” Beautiful houses, “secret” courtyards (some of them private), painted windows with delicate lace curtains, narrow, winding alleys, some paved with stone and some – green grass. You already know the song. So why not visit because you know? As one of the sites (on the list) points out, in front of the church is a nice café – it’s a good place to sit with a glass of wine and look at the church opposite, or at the passersby. A little peace in life.
Links for more information about Saint-Aman-de-Colly:
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lot *
Even if its name is a bit strange, this village has been voted the most beautiful village in all of France several times, and this out of all the “most beautiful villages.” However, in recent years, entry to the village by car has been prohibited (I remember that I “managed” to visit it a few years ago without any restrictions), and apparently the success has made it difficult. The P4 parking lot is the closest to the center of the village, and therefore also the most sought-after and busiest. Since the village is built on a cliff overlooking the Lot River, this prohibition makes it somewhat difficult to visit the place, and some are deterred by the steep climb and descent at the entrance to the village. Of course, this does not detract in the least from the beauty of the place. The village, with about 200 residents, is forced to “host” about half a million visitors each year, especially in the summer months, the tourist season. Naturally, the village has become a center of attraction for artists and creators in a variety of fields, and its alleys are lined with galleries and shops displaying countless works of art of all kinds and genres. The ancient alleys are dotted with stone-paved corners, or tables shaded by climbing plants between the entrances of the cobbled houses, between ancient stones and curved stone steps. Don’t miss the “Musee Rignault” – two ancient stone country houses, connected by a watchtower, which have been carefully restored together with the garden adjacent to them, overlooking the valley and the river. It should be noted that from many points on the access roads to the village – both at the entrance and exit – a wonderful view of the entire village on the cliff overlooking the Lot River valley is visible, truly a postcard from the past.
Links for more information about Saint-Cirq-Lapopie:
Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere, Dordogne * (Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere, “Saint Leon on the Vezere”)
A charming little village, hidden in the valley of the ancient man, embraced by the windings of the Vezere River, a member of the “Beautiful Villages” association. It is a village with a little over 400 inhabitants who very devoutly preserve its special character and color. All the buildings in it are built of the yellowish stone typical of the region, and they often say that the village “was not renovated and rebuilt, but restored with delicacy and grace.” The small church, Saint-Leonce, was built in the 12th century on the basis of an ancient Roman villa, the remains of which show the courtyard next to the church, next to the river. The castle adjacent to the village, Chateau de Clerans (Clerans), belongs to a private person and cannot be visited (but can be rented).
Adjacent to the village, on the riverbank, is a large campsite that is staffed almost all year round – caravans, tents, folding tables, young and old people sunbathing, lounging or just casting a fishing rod into the river. The village alleys – paved with stone, winding and colorful – are full of workshops and artist shops selling their colorful and unique works. Small paths wind between the houses, hidden between trees and hedges, to reach mysterious, shady and secluded courtyards, some of which are private, only after long apologies (“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was private. I apologize”) – there are no signs and no locks, everything is open, visible and exposed, beautiful and eye-catching. And after the hike, sit on a stone bench in the courtyard of the cafe, with a glass of wine or a short coffee, and enjoy the passersby in the relaxing view.
Links for more information about Saint-Léon-sur-Véser:
Sarlat-la-Caneda, Dordogne
Its full name is Sarlat-la-Canéda (after the union of Sarlat and Canada in 1965), but everyone calls it Sarlat for short. Although the city, perhaps a town – with less than 9,000 inhabitants – is “only” the capital of the “Black Périgord”, and not of the entire province, there is no doubt that it is the most visited town in the entire province and its name has become famous around the world. It is indeed a beautiful town that is worth a visit and even a special trip, especially on market days. The city holds markets twice a week. On Wednesday of the week, it is a more functional market, for the benefit of the local residents in the area, while the market held on Saturday morning is a more touristy market that attracts crowds from all over the world, colorful and colorful – and not just food – very commercialized and still beautiful and intriguing, spreading into almost all the alleys of the old town. Don’t miss it!
Sarla is not a large city and it is very easy to visit its main sites, especially since almost all of them are gathered around the ancient center. On the sites listed below you will find lists and detailed explanations of what to see and where to go - as mentioned, the city is very touristy and countless guidebooks have been written about it.
Links for more information about Sarla-la-Kannada:
Tremolat, Dordogne
A little west of the village of Limeuil (see above), lies a small village on the banks of the Dordogne River – about 500 inhabitants – which is indeed beautiful and nice, like many villages in the area, but there is nothing special about it. The interesting point is a lookout point a little north of the village. The Dordogne River, quite long (483 km), is a winding river and in this part of it – the Dordogne region – it has a number of sharp bends, almost complete circles (a river bend is called a Cingle in French). A little north of the village is such a point – Cingle de Tremolat – and it is so controlled that a parking bay and an observation deck have been built there.
Villereal, Lot-et-Garonne * (Villereal)
Although it was founded in 1269 by Alphonse de Poitier, in its early days it was under English rule. Today the town is picturesque and lively, with a covered, square market square (14th century), like many other bastide towns. Many half-timbered houses (Colombages) fill the town, alongside “regular” medieval houses, and other restored houses. A unique feature of this town (I am no expert on the subject, but I have not seen it anywhere else), above the market square, Halle, a second floor was built, the stairs to which penetrate the wooden ceiling of the square. Regardless of historical tourism, the town is pleasant for a walk and a stroll through its alleys and between the stone arches surrounding the old square.
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About 10 years ago we visited the areas described. I remembered a few names of villages, but the article brought me back there. Great. Then we got everywhere by car. It's sad to hear about the restrictions described here.
As always, a fascinating article.
I have been to Dordogne three times, one of the most beautiful places in France.
As always, a fascinating article.
I have been to Dordogne three times, one of the most beautiful places in France.
Thanks for the thoughtful article.
I lack information on how to get to the area. Is it appropriate to get there from Paris? If so, how and when is it in terms of time?? Should I fly somewhere else??
You can get from Paris by rental car or train to Sarlat and rent a car there.