Caves and Castles of the Dordogne tour

This tour takes you to the heart of the Dordogne with its castles, caves, stunning architecture, charming villages and rich history which help to make it an unforgettable experience. As you are driving through this region you will take in truly breathtaking scenery which boasts valleys and gorges, craggy mountain tops and carefully sculpted botanical gardens - don’t miss the beautiful Jardins des Marqueyssac in Vézac.

The Vézère valley has an astonishing series of UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric sites including painted caves, in particular Lascaux which is the the finest example made by Cro-Magnon man. It is now closed to preserve its condition but the Lascaux II replica has been created in meticulous detail and is open to visitors – a definite must see!

Amazing 14th and 15th century castles transport you back to the Middle Ages - Beynac et Cazenac is perched on a cliff and is the most symbolic, whilst the elegant contours of Château de Hautefort make it reminiscent of those built by the nobles in the Loire Valley.

The Dordogne has a strong gourmet tradition that forms part of its proud heritage. If you enjoy foie gras, ‘black diamond’ truffles, bolete mushrooms, crêpes, walnuts and delicious wines, then get ready to embark upon a delectable culinary journey.

Your stopovers include picturesque Sarlat with its alleys, medieval squares and Gothic & Renaissance mansions and historic Périgueux - the St Front cathedral, Vesunna Museum and traditional market make this bustling town a delight to explore.

This break also includes a night in the vibrant city of Tours in the Loire valley.

You can combine any of our car and motorcycle tours, or you can even plan your very own itinerary from scratch using any of our hotels in France. Perhaps you just want to add a few nights to one of the routes? Anything is possible - just ask!

• 2 nights in Périgueux 

• 2 nights in Sarlat

• 1 night in Tours

Tours can start on any day from any town on the itinerary but must follow the route in either direction. Approximate tour distances are calculated from the first to the last location. Should any location be unavailable we'll advise alternatives.

Route planning

For route planning you may wish to visit Google Maps, viamichelin.com or theaa.com.

Hotel directions

With your travel documents you will find an information sheet for each hotel which has been booked for you giving directions together with some further details.

Arrival

Unless stated, you will be expected to arrive at each of the hotels pre-booked for you by 6pm each day. This should allow you time to have a fairly leisurely drive between hotel stops but if you find you will be arriving later than this please ring and advise the hotelier so that your room is held for you.

Extra charges

Details of which meals are included at your hotels are shown on your travel documentation and on these pages. All additional meals, drinks, phone calls etc must be paid for prior to departure from the hotel.