Rocamadour & Highlights Of The Dordogne

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

• Day 2 - Oradour-sur-Glane

  We leave our hotel in Paris, pausing for a Remembrance visit at the village of Oradour sur Glane, which stands frozen in time since the terrible massacre on 10th June 1944 by the German SS, who also destroyed the entire village.

  After the war, General Charles de Gaulle decided the village should never be rebuilt, and for it to remain a memorial site. A stroll around the empty streets of this silent monument is a very moving experience. We then continue our journey to the Dordogne region, and the village of Rocamadour where we stay for four nights.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 3 - Rocamadour & Gouffre de Padirac

  Enjoy a morning at leisure exploring the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour, where Saint Amadour was reputed to have lived as a hermit. There are many small chapels to explore, including the Chapelle de Notre Dame with its famous Black Madonna, a 12th century carved wooden depiction of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.

  This afternoon we travel to Gouffre de Padirac, a spectacular cave complex for an included tour. We descend 103 metres via the cave lift before joining the underground river for a boat trip through the tunnels, seeing impressive 60 metre high stalactites. We then continue the tour on foot seeing the Grand Dome chamber, a 94 metre high vault.

  Please note that this excursion may not be suitable for customers with particular health conditions. The tour takes place between 75 & 103 metres underground and is a 2km round trip, the majority of which is on foot. The walk is flat but there will be a large number of steps to negotiate.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 4 - Free Time or The Lot Valley & St Cirq Lapopie

  Enjoy a further day at leisure in Rocamadour, or why not join our optional excursion to the Lot Valley. We start in the beautiful town of Cahors, famous for its art and history. Founded in the Roman times, Cahors has many sights worth exploring. The centre of Cahors has beautiful medieval streets and charming little squares which you can explore.

  Later we head to the beautiful village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Standing high above the River Lot on a rocky outcrop, the village was once the site of a fortress which guarded the valley. Today, the village is known as one of the most beautiful in France.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 5 - Sarlat & Beynac et Cazenac

  Today’s included excursion takes us first to the bustling market town of Sarlat, home to some of the best-preserved medieval buildings in France. Here you will have free time to explore the town, and the beautiful gothic and Romanesque style Cathedral, St Sacerdos. We then continue to Beynac et Cazenac, with its impressive medieval castle overlooking the Dordogne River. There will be free time here for you to explore this beautiful village.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6 - Martel

  We leave our hotel in Rocamadour and head north to the Paris area. En route we visit the beautiful town of Martel with its seven large medieval towers. There will be free time for you to explore the town. See the main town square and the Palais de la Raymondi, one of Martel’s many notable buildings. Later we continue north to our overnight hotel on the outskirts of Paris.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 7

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the Hotel du Lion d'Or. This family-run hotel is steeped in character and tradition, located in an exceptional setting in the heart of the medieval city of Rocamadour.

Overnight stays in the Paris area will be in city-style hotels.