Dordogne Self-Guided Walking Tour

Your walking holiday in the Dordogne begins in Sarlat-la-Canéda, the historic capital of the Périgord Noir. Its beautifully preserved medieval centre is a delight to explore, with golden-stone buildings, cobbled lanes and intimate squares filled with cafés. If your arrival coincides with market day (Wednesday morning or all day Saturday), you’ll experience Sarlat at its liveliest, with stalls overflowing with regional produce and local specialities.

After a short transfer to Marquay, your walk begins in this traditional Périgord village, known for its stone houses with lauze roofs and its fortified church dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. The route leads through deep oak and chestnut forests and rolling countryside dotted with small hamlets.

You follow the River Beune past ancient rock shelters before reaching the Château de Commarque, dramatically set on a rocky outcrop. This remarkable site also includes troglodyte dwellings and a prehistoric cave (visit optional – not included, open April–October). The loop then returns to Marquay, followed by a transfer back to Sarlat.

Today offers two walking options. You may start in Beynac for a longer route, or in La Roque-Gageac for a shorter walk.

Beynac, is a spectacular village clinging to a cliff beneath its imposing château, the path climbs above the Dordogne River through wooded hills. You reach La Roque-Gageac, officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its ochre stone houses, lauze roofs, troglodyte dwellings and exotic riverside gardens. There is time to enjoy an optional boat trip on the Dordogne aboard a traditional flat-bottomed Gabarre, or to sample regional products at a nearby duck farm. The walk continues to Domme, a magnificent bastide town founded in 1283, dramatically perched above the river with far-reaching views across the valley which are maybe one of the most popular photo points of the river below.

Options available: Canoeing down the river, 1h boat ride in a traditional flat-bottomed boat, The hanging gardens of Marqueyssac with via ferrata section and the bamboo plantation

A short transfer takes you into the countryside to the Château des Milandes, once the home of Josephine Baker a US/French dancer and singer. Surrounded by elegant gardens, the château stands above the Dordogne River.

You follow the left bank of the river towards Castelnaud, another classified village crowned by a formidable medieval fortress that played a key role during the Hundred Years’ War. A final climb brings you back to Domme, where you can enjoy a relaxed stroll through its fortified gates, towers and covered market hall.

Today’s hiking in the Dordogne leads you into the Vézère Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heartland of European prehistoric era. You can choose a longer walk starting in Limeuil, one of the most beautiful villages in France, or a shorter option beginning in Le Bugue.

From Limeuil, the path crosses peaceful countryside before reaching Le Bugue on the Vézère River. You continue through shaded woodland, farms and small hamlets to Saint-Cirq, with the option to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier en route. The walk finishes in Les Eyzies, known worldwide as the capital of prehistoric finds.

After a short transfer to the start of your walk, choose between a longer or shorter route through the rural heart of the Périgord. Quiet paths wind through chestnut forests, past working farms and traditional hamlets before returning to Les Eyzies.

In the afternoon, you may wish to visit the National Museum of Prehistory, located right in the centre of the village (entrance not included).

Two walking options are available today. After breakfast you have a transfer to Le Moustier for the longer walk, or to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère for the shorter option.

From Le Moustier, you follow the Path of Prehistory alongside the extraordinary cliff dwellings of La Roque Saint-Christophe, a unique troglodyte site carved into the rock face. The route leads to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, another classified village, ideal for a café stop beside the river. The walk continues to Montignac, set below the hill that houses the famous Lascaux caves.

Today is your departure day. However, if time permits, you can enjoy a short loop walk around Montignac, following ancient paths once used by our earliest ancestors. The route leads towards the famous Lascaux II or Lascaux IV site, a remarkable replica that brings the world’s oldest known cave paintings to life.

Your Dordogne walking holiday ends in Montignac where a taxi transfer departs at 4:30 pm to Sarlat (or at another agreed time).