The Vézère Valley owes its name to the river that runs through. Rising over 200km away in the Massif Central, the narrow and unspoilt Vézère River flows alongside limestone cliffs covered by chestnut and holm oak forests and passes through pretty villages such as Montignac, Les Eyzies, Le Bugue and Limeuil - its confluence with the Dordogne River. But the Vézère valley is most famous for its testimony to early settlements, from prehistory, through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, to present day. Our walking holiday in the Dordogne retraces the steps of mankind along the riverbank, exploring troglodyte villages and prehistoric caves. Many sites in the Vézère valley are a UNESCO listed site, such is their prehistoric importance, so travel back in time and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors for a fascinating and remarkable walking holiday.
Your trip begins in Les Eyzies de Tayac, the prehistoric capital of the Périgord Noir. It is home to the National Prehistoric Museum (which is well worth a visit) and caves that are witness to a millennia of human occupation.
Meals included : none
Night : Les Eyzies
After breakfast you have a transfer to either St Cyprien (longer hike) or to Meyrals (shorter hike). Saint Cyprien where the longer hikes begins is worth a quick detour to visit the village, especially on a Sunday as it’s market day in the morning. Walk down old streets and past the 12th century abbey church and bell tower before you had into the rolling countryside, past farmyards, through forest and along trails and quiet country lanes and past Chateau Fages. Just before entering Les Eyzies you will see the Font de Gaume. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this prehistoric cave is one of the most incredible Palaeolithic sites in the world.
We recommend visiting the Musée Nationale de la Préhistoire
2 Walk options :
. Short option : Meyrals> Les Eyzies | 2h40 | 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation: +170m/-270m
. Longer option : Saint Cyprien > Les Eyzies | 4h10 | 15 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +320m/ - 320m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Les Eyzies
From either Limueil or Le Bugue, nestled downstream of the Vézère valley, known as the "Valley of Man", you pass through picturesque landscapes and numerous shady woods, farms and hamlets, passing through St Cirq and the famous Grotte du Sorcier (Sorcerer's Cave), before arriving at the prehistoric capital Les Eyzies.
We recommend optional visits to the Fonte de Gaume & de Combarelles caves, Abri Pataud, Cro Magnon & du Poisson
2 Walk options :
. Short option : Le Bugue > Les Eyzies | 3h45 | 13 km - 8 miles | Elevation: +190m/-180m
. Longer option : Limueil > Le Bugue > Les Eyziese | 6h15 | 23 km - 14 miles | Elevation : +440m/ - 430m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Les Eyzies
Transfer to Peyzac Le Moustier or St Léon sur Vézère. From Le Moustier you walk on the path of prehistory that runs along La Roque Saint Christophe a troglodyte site unique in the world (visit not included) before arriving in Saint Léon sur Vézère, a classified village where you can enjoy a spot of lunch. From Saint Léon sur Vézère, you hike through oak forests, and cross typical farms and hamlets towards the charming village of Montignac located at the foot of the famous Lascaux hill.
We recommend kayaking or Canoeing in St Leon.
2 Walk options :
. Short option : St Leon > Montignac | 3h15 | 14 km - 8 miles | Elevation: +300m/-290m
. Longer option : Peyzac Le Moustier > Saint Leon > Montignac | 5h | 20 km - 12 miles | Elevation : +510m/ - 510m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Montignac
A short loop walk allows you to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and visit the LASCAUX IV cave (not included, visit to be booked in advance): a complete and original replica which houses the oldest paintings of humanity and retraces the discovery of the famous decorated cave.
We recommend prolonging your trip and spending an extra night in Montignac with the possibility of kayaking in the afternoon! Or visiting the Regourdou site and discovering Neanderthal man.
Loop Walk : 2h | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation: +150m/-150m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Montignac
After breakfast, transfer to Sarlat-la-Canéda. End of the trip.
MEALS included: Breakfast
Market on Wednesday mornings and all day Saturday in Sarlat.
ACCESS
. From Paris : High speed Paris/Bordeaux and then Bordeaux/Sarlat
Direct train also from Paris / Sarlat
. From Bordeaux airport : train Bordeaux / Sarlat
. Trains from Bergerac and Périgueux
. High speed train lines between Limoges > Agen, Paris > Toulouse & Paris > Bordeaux
