Situated on a rocky spur, the panoramic viewpoint offers one of the most impressive views of the valley and it’s many châteaux. This astonishing spot offers over 6km of pathways lined with over 150 000 hand-pruned boxwoods, rockeries and stone cabins. Another short climb, bringing you to the the romantic and picturesque Marqueyssac Gardens. Your path – with lovely views – passes another walnut mill as it descends to cross the river delta. Start after a short transfer to the first, Beynac-et-Cazenac, and climb up to its impressive chateau overlooking the Dordogne, and the enemy castle of Castelnaud across the way. Today offers two of France’s official “Prettiest Villages” for your explorations today, amongst some truly spectacular scenery and sites. This UNESCO Heritage site, the largest Medieval architectural grouping in Europe, is best explored by night, when the stone buildings with their “lauze” rooftops, and the cobblestoned streets and charming squares are lit up to eerie beauty – you’ll think you have been transported back in time! We invite you to discover this medieval town, with its narrow streets, restored Gothic and Renaissance town houses, the Saint Sacerdos Cathedral and its famous open-air market (Saturday mornings). After a visit, a pretty walk through rolling coutryside, through rich forest and valleys takes you past the Chateau de Puy Martin, with its crenelated towers and of course its ghost, the White Lady, who wanders its hallways. These traditional stone huts are remarkable and the site has one of the best collections of them. After explorations continue on tiny forest roads to the Cabanes de Breuil. The valley, along with a cliff on one side, protected the castle, and the area’s earliest inhabitants, from attack. We transfer you down into a shaded clearing, where the Chateau de Commarque is nestled against the Dordogne River. This little town sits on the confluence of Vezere and the Beune Rivers, and is home to the National Prehistory Museum, as well as a string of small boutiques, cafes and restaurants. A climb away from the river before being rewarded at the end of the day with your descent into Les Eyzies. You have the option for a small detour, continuing along the river, and bringing you to the site of La Madeleine – a prehistoric excavation of such importance that it donated its name to an entire prehistoric era – the Magdalenian – but also with an incredible troglodyte village you can visit. After crossing the bridge into the village of Le Moustier, strike out through the forest and fields. Your route offers a plethora of reminders of this heritage, starting at the troglodyte site of La Roque St Christophe, you then follow the meanders of the Vezere, with majestic limestone spurs thrusting out over your head. This morning your transfer still follows the Vezere River, as it winds southwards through rich countryside that has welcomed man for milennia.
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