The Charming Dordogne

London to Le Bugue

Meet your Tour Manager at our Departure Office at London St Pancras, then travel on the Eurostar service to Paris. Here you connect with the intercity train to Brive, before transferring to Le Bugue by coach on arrival, an attractive market town that sits on the Vézère River. The town remains mostly untouched by the throng of tourism, so walking around is a delight. Enjoy the laid back pace of life the locals are accustomed to during your stay at the Hotel Royal Vézère.

La Roque-Gageac

Take to the water at La Roque-Gageac today for a traditional flat-bottomed Gabare boat cruise. Sail serenely along the river and watch in awe as high, rocky hills elevate dramatically behind elegant houses, which are beautifully framed by verdant scenery. This is the essence of the Dordogne region, and your chance to experience its true charm as you gently cruise downriver.

This afternoon, continue to Château des Milandes, the sumptuous former home of Josephine Baker, a star of Parisian cabaret in the roaring 20s. Before then, it was home to the Caumonts, an eminent family of the French aristocracy. Château des Milandes was built in 1489 with stunning Gothic features of the period, and shows a fine example of Renaissance architecture. It would soon be home to American-born Dancer and Singer Josephine Baker. She famously restored the chateau in the style of the time, creating an Art Deco haven for her large, adopted family. Whilst exploring, you can see the wonderful displays commemorating Josephine, her life, and work.

At Leisure in Le Bugue

Today is free for you to explore the charming town of Le Bugue. You have the opportunity to admire the town's traditional houses and take a stroll along the river. Alternatively, you could make a visit to nearby Gouffre de Proumeyssac, the single largest developed cavern in Périgord.

Sarlat

Your excursion today is to Sarlat, an incredibly picturesque town in the heart of the Dordogne. The medieval Old Town, with its labyrinth of alleyways and buildings built in warm honey-coloured stone, is virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. Developed around a Benedictine monastery, Sarlat is a favourite location for film directors as modernity has largely excluded the area from its grasp, leaving one of the most representative towns of 14th-century France.

Today is also market day, giving you the chance to peruse the stalls for fresh produce and local crafts. Enjoy a stroll, perhaps visiting the Cathedrale Saint Sacerdos, a pretty cathedral that is one of the National Monuments of France, and whose belfry dates back as far as the 9th century, though a whole range of architecture is on display thanks to extensive redevelopments in the 16th and 18th centuries. Enjoy lunch locally, returning back to Le Bugue this afternoon.

Rocamadour and Martel

This morning, travel to the magnificent village of Rocamadour, perched high above the meandering river below. The town rises up in levels, and is crowned by l'Hospitalet Abbey. In the afternoon, you continue to the medieval village of Martel, an attractive place steeped in history.

From here, take a ride on the restored Truffadou Steam Train which hugs the side of the hills as it travels around the valley, a great way to adsorb the views. The rail line was built to carry timber to Bordeaux, for the production of wine casks, though its current name comes from its later use as a method of truffle transportation. Whilst previously timber would have been carried slowly on Gabare boats, the introduction of the train line shortened the process considerably.

The railway was built in the 1880s and opened for traffic in 1889, though it was later dismantled in 1917 by American soldiers to help the First World War effort. Rebuilt the following year - also with the help of American soldiers - the rail operated in this commercial capacity until 1980. Thanks to railway enthusiasts, the line was reopened as a tourist attraction in 1997, and is now run by a not-for-profit group.

Le Bugue to London

Transfer by coach to Brive today, for the intercity train to Paris. Here, change for the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your tour concludes.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.