Walking Holidays in the Lot & Dordogne
Start Dates
Thurs 1st April (Easter)
Sat. 24th April
Sun. Oct 3rd
Thurs 1st April (Easter)
Sat. 24th April
Sun. Oct 3rd
Lot & Dordogne Discovery Walking Tour
Price: £695/799€
Lot Cycling Holidays also offer a series of walking holidays in the Lot and Dordogne region of France, during the spring and early autumn.
The walks are designed around the most spectacular and interesting sites of the area including Rocamadour, Sarlat, Domme, Beynac, St Cirque Lapopie; plus you will visit a selection of vineyards on the Cahors wine trail where you can partake of a little of the fantastic 'black wine'!
Our holidays are ideal for anyone who enjoys walking mostly in quiet but stunning countryside with plenty of time to explore and discover the beautiful landscapes, interesting historical sites and fantastic gastronomy of this varied and unspoilt region.
Come and enjoy a 7 day/6 night walking holiday with us. We'll plan and take care of everything for you. You just get to relax and enjoy a varied and interesting holiday with fabulous food and wine in a wonderful setting.
All walks are graded easy to moderate and are between 10 and 16 kms long.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome
Day 1
Welcome
Arrive at either Bergerac airport or Gourdon rail station and we'll meet you and drive you to beautiful Mas de Flory - your 'home' for the week.
Settle into your spacious and airy room (with luxury ensuite shower room), then relax and enjoy a glass of bubbly on the terrace while you meet your fellow holiday guests. Later you'll all share a long, lazy, delicious 4-course meal with plenty of wonderful Cahors 'black wine'.
Each evening of your holiday will follow a similar pattern and you will enjoy fabulous home prepared food throughout your stay.
Day 2
Sarlat, Domme, Beynac and Roque Gageac.
Sarlat, Domme, Beynac and Roque Gageac.
Visit some of the most popular historic sites of the region today - Sarlat, Domme, Beynac and Roque Gageac.
You'll walk the promenade en Bouriane along the old railway cutting in the heart of the Marcillande stream valley and into ancient Sarlat. Here you can visit the old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times; don't miss the streets around the cathedral and the streets to the north of the old town - you will soon become lost in the maze of narrow lanes, with something new to see around every corner.
After lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants in Sarlat, we'll drive you back through pretty Domme, a 12th century, perfectly preserved bastide village perched high above the River Dordogne.
Then you'll see the spectacular, historic riverside settlement of La Roque Gageac, carved into the rocky hillside, followed by a walk up the narrow cobbled streets to the magnificent Chateau de Beynac (one time seat of Richard the Lionheart), towering high on the cliff top overlooking the river.
You'll walk the promenade en Bouriane along the old railway cutting in the heart of the Marcillande stream valley and into ancient Sarlat. Here you can visit the old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times; don't miss the streets around the cathedral and the streets to the north of the old town - you will soon become lost in the maze of narrow lanes, with something new to see around every corner.
After lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants in Sarlat, we'll drive you back through pretty Domme, a 12th century, perfectly preserved bastide village perched high above the River Dordogne.
Then you'll see the spectacular, historic riverside settlement of La Roque Gageac, carved into the rocky hillside, followed by a walk up the narrow cobbled streets to the magnificent Chateau de Beynac (one time seat of Richard the Lionheart), towering high on the cliff top overlooking the river.
Day 3
Bourianne
After going further afield yesterday, today we're staying close to home with two local circular walking routes.
Explore the lovely local paths and bridleways which surround Mas de Flory and discover some amazing fauna and flora. There are many varieties of wild orchid in the Lot and part of the route de St Jaques de Compostelle passes by the house! You can enjoy a long ramble before returning for a picnic lunch on the terrace. You then have the option of taking a second route for the afternoon or just relaxing at 'home' if you prefer.
Explore the lovely local paths and bridleways which surround Mas de Flory and discover some amazing fauna and flora. There are many varieties of wild orchid in the Lot and part of the route de St Jaques de Compostelle passes by the house! You can enjoy a long ramble before returning for a picnic lunch on the terrace. You then have the option of taking a second route for the afternoon or just relaxing at 'home' if you prefer.
Day 4
St Cirq Lapopie
St Cirq Lapopie
Today we'll see St Cirq Lapopie and walk alongside the pretty, scenic River Lot, east of Cahors.
The route there takes you along the GR 36/46 from St Gery across the river to the pretty village of Bouzies, along paths dramatically hewn from the overhanging rock, and winding it's way gradually up hill to the amazing St Cirq Lapopie. Beloved of artists and photographers it is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France. It's main street winds steeply down between ancient houses, past the pinnacle of rock once crowned with a fortress commanding amazing views over the valley.
The route there takes you along the GR 36/46 from St Gery across the river to the pretty village of Bouzies, along paths dramatically hewn from the overhanging rock, and winding it's way gradually up hill to the amazing St Cirq Lapopie. Beloved of artists and photographers it is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France. It's main street winds steeply down between ancient houses, past the pinnacle of rock once crowned with a fortress commanding amazing views over the valley.
Day 5
Cahors wine trail
Cahors wine trail
Today you'll follow the Cahors wine trail and visit the vineyards of the wonderful AOC Cahors 'black wine'. We'll discover 'some of the secrets of this most noble and ancient red wine, meet some of the producers and shed some light on this hidden gem among French wines. Older than Bordeaux and with a reputation for darkness and strength it is the only French red wine to harness the power of the Malbec grape'.[from French Entree - read more here]
Meander your way around the patchwork of vineyards and wine chateaux stopping for a picnic lunch and wine tastings. We know the vineyards well and will recommend the best places to stop for tastings and visits. On this tour you will also see panoramic views across the River Lot as well as from the higher limestone causse as you climb away from the valley floor.
Meander your way around the patchwork of vineyards and wine chateaux stopping for a picnic lunch and wine tastings. We know the vineyards well and will recommend the best places to stop for tastings and visits. On this tour you will also see panoramic views across the River Lot as well as from the higher limestone causse as you climb away from the valley floor.
Day 6
Pilgrim route to Rocamadour
Pilgrim route to Rocamadour
After a substantial continental breakfast we'll drive you to the River Dordogne for your starting point for a walk which follows the pilgrim route to Rocamadour.
Carved dramatically into the limestone cliffs, this ancient village clings precariously to the hillside, presenting a visually magical site. It has been a destination for religious pilgrims for the last thousand years and is now the site for a monastery as well as a point on the pilgrimage to St Jaques de Compostella in northern Spain. You'll have plenty of time to explore before we drive you back to Mas de Flory where you can relax before another great meal.
Carved dramatically into the limestone cliffs, this ancient village clings precariously to the hillside, presenting a visually magical site. It has been a destination for religious pilgrims for the last thousand years and is now the site for a monastery as well as a point on the pilgrimage to St Jaques de Compostella in northern Spain. You'll have plenty of time to explore before we drive you back to Mas de Flory where you can relax before another great meal.
Day 7
Au revoir
Au revoir
Departure day and after a leisurely breakfast we'll take you to Gourdon rail station or Bergerac airport to meet your homeward connection.
We wish you bonne route and hope you enjoyed your stay - a bientot!
We wish you bonne route and hope you enjoyed your stay - a bientot!
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Lot Cycling Holidays provide - Cycling Holidays in France - Walking Holidays in France and Wine Tours in France.
