An 08:00 departure began our 4 hour journey to Oradour-sur-Glane, the site of one of the most vicious Nazi atrocities of WWII, where the entire population of the village was murdered and the buildings destroyed. It has been preserved as a memorial.

It’s quite chilling and made more so, as being part of one of Leger’s Battlefield Tours, they had a recording of a contemporary American news report which was played to us as we arrived.

We journeyed on to Rocamadour, around 2 hours which included a new experience. For whatever reason, the French police were stopping coaches at a Péage (Toll) and inspecting them for drugs. After about 20 minutes an enthusiastic sniffer dog came aboard to check us out. Most people had some food with them - it seemed more interested in that than anything else! A lot of tail wagging at each seat.

There is only one entry to Rocamadour for coaches, a tunnel blasted through the hillside with rough rock edges (not concrete lined). Our coach could just about make it through at walking pace. Some Leger coaches can’t do this itinerary because of their height. A twice daily experience for added excitement throughout the tour.

The Hôtel Lion D’Or is located on the main street - the coach can’t get there but has a reserved parking space about 150m away. The hotel is best described as “quirky”, for example the restaurant is just across the street (only 5m away - very narrow street!). It’s an old building, so some things are a little odd, yet attractive. The room was more than adequate and comfortable, but reminded us of the 1980’s, even down to bathroom toiletries. Paper sachet shower gel, plastic wrapped mini-soaps and paper cups.

Dinner in the restaurant was at 19:30 every day and tonight was the first of the many very good meals we enjoyed there. The selection of local wines was a must for sampling. A good meal followed by a good night’s sleep concluded our first day on tour.