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Walking in the Dordogne : in the footsteps of prehistoric men
    • France - Dordogne
    • 6 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From March to November
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Superior
      • Trip code : D1105
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About the Walking in the Dordogne : in the footsteps of prehistoric men trip

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.

Highlights of the trip

  • A  fascinating journey through time 
  • Easy walks with more moderate options on days 3 & 4
  • Les Eyzies, the prehistoric capital 
  • Exploring medieval and troglodyte villages 
  • Local markets and sampling local delicacies
  • Swimming in the river and optional kayaking 

    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Walking in the Dordogne: in the footsteps of prehistoric men - Day by Day 

Day 1 - Arrival in Les Eyzies: the prehistoric capital

  • walking in the Dordgne + self-guided walking trip franceYour 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. 
  • Night in Les Eyzies

  • 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 
     

Day 2 - Hiking from Saint Cyprien or Meyrals

  • trek Dordogne + walking in Dordogne Saint Cyprien > Meyrals > Les Eyzies
    . Shorter option : Meyrals> Les Eyzies
    2h40 - 10km  - Ascent: 170m / Descent: 270m
    . Longer option : Saint Cyprien > Les Eyzies
    4h10 - 15 km - Ascent: 320m / Descent: 320m
  • 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.
  • Night in Les Eyzies
  • MEALS included : Breakfast 

  • We recommend: 
    . Visiting the Musée Nationale de la Préhistoire

  • Market on Sunday mornings in Saint Cyprien
  • Market on Monday mornings in Les Eyzies

Day 3 - In the valley of man

  • self-guided walking stay France 2 walk options:
    . Shorter option : Le Bugue > Les Eyzies
    3h45 - 13,5km / 8.1 miles - Ascent: 190m / Descent: 180m
    . Longer option : Limueil > Le Bugue > Les Eyzies
    6h15 - 23km / 14.3 miles - Ascent: 440m / Descent: 430m
  • 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.
  • Night in Les Eyzies
  • MEALS included : Breakfast 

  • We recommend: optional visits   
    . Fonte de Gaume & de Combarelles caves
    . Abri Pataud, Cro Magnon & du Poisson

  • Market on Monday mornings in Les Eyzies & Tuesday mornings in Le Bugue

Day 4 - Troglodyte villages

  • 2 walk options: 
    . Shorter option : St Leon > Montignac
    3h15 - 14 km / 8 miles - Ascent: 300m / Descent: 290m
    . Longer option : Peyzac Le Moustier > Saint Leon sur Vézère > Montignac
    5h - 20km / 12.4 miles - Ascent: 510m / Descent: 510m
  • 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.
  • Night in Montignac
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • We recommend: 
    . Kayaking or Canoeing in St Leon
    . Parc du Thot

Day 5 - The famous Lascaux cave

  • lascaux caves + walking holiday Dordogne Montignac > Lascaux > Montignac
    2h - 7 km / 4.3 miles - Ascent: 150 / Descent: 150m
  • 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.
  • Night in Montignac 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • We recommend: 
    . Prolonging your trip and spending an extra night in Montignac, possibility of kayaking in the afternoon! 
    . The Regourdou site: discovering Neanderthal man

Day 6 - Bye bye la Dordogne

  • walking in the dordogne self-guidedAfter breakfast, transfer to Sarlat-la-Canéda. End of the trip. 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • Market on Wednesday mornings and all day Saturday in Sarlat. 

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    Trip details
    Walking in the Dordogne : in the footsteps of prehistoric men
        • France - Dordogne
        • 2 adults (2x620€)
        • 0 children (0x620€)
      • 6 days
      • Simple
    Total 1240€
    Deposit 400€
    Book now !