Itinerary

Day 1 - Travel to the Paris (Orly) area for an overnight stay.

Day 2 - Oradour-sur-Glane

We leave our hotel in Paris, pausing for a visit at the village of Oradour sur Glane, which stands frozen in time since the terrible massacre on 10th June 1944 by the Nazi Waffen 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.

Day 3 - Rocamadour & Gouffre de Padirac

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. 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.

Day 4 - The Lot Valley & St Cirq Lapopie

An excursion to the Lot Valley. We start in the town of Cahors, famous for its art and history. Founded in the Roman times, the centre of Cahors has fascinating medieval streets and charming little squares to explore.

Later we head to the 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.

Day 5- Sarlat & Beynac et Cazenac

Today’s excursion takes us first to the bustling market town of Sarlat, home to some of the best-preserved medieval buildings in France. Here we have free time to explore the town, and the 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 to explore this beautiful village.

Day 6 - Martel

We leave our hotel in Rocamadour and head north to the Paris area. En route we visit the town of Martel with its seven large medieval towers. There will be free time to explore 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 at Paris CDG.

Day 7 - Return home.