Village Life – France

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DETAILS

Immerse yourself in the authentic provincial character of the Dordogne region in Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of France’s most beautiful and well-preserved medieval towns, on this one-of-a-kind, 7-night experience. Discover charming villages, medieval castles, and prehistoric treasures through specially arranged excursions, including Sarlat’s famous open-air market; the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour; the English-style gardens of Eyrignac; the fascinating prehistoric cave paintings of Cap-Blanc; the perfectly reproduced cave art at Lascaux and Rouffignac; and a specially arranged gabare cruise on the Dordogne River.

Pricing from
$3,995

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Trip Type
Group Travel Tour, International Land & Rail Voyages
Departure Dates
May 8, 2025 - May 16, 2025
Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 3, 2025

HOTELS

Hotel Burdigala
Located near the heart of Bordeaux’s historical city center, the deluxe Hotel Burdigala is a modern oasis. Each of its 83 rooms are tastefully appointed with luxurious finishes, creating a sophisticated yet intimate environment. The hotel’s Madame B restaurant and bar offers the quintessential French venue for an evening nightcap.

Plaza Madeleine Hôtel & Spa
The Plaza Madeleine Hôtel & Spa is located just beyond the ancient walls of Sarlat‑la‑Canéda’s medieval quarter, a short walk from the village center. A grand 19th‑century townhouse, this historical hôtel de charme marries traditional features with French esprit contemporain. Each of the 39 stylish, air‑conditioned guest rooms has been renovated or upgraded.

TRANSFER INFORMATION

Airport transfers and luggage handling abroad are only included if air arrangements are booked through Gohagan & Company. If travelers make their own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included; transfers can be organized through Gohagan & Company and purchased by the traveler.

EDUCATIONAL EXPERTS

  • Christine Desdemaines-Hugon

    Christine Desdemaines-Hugon

    Christine has worked with the scientific community, lectured on prehistoric art, and shared her knowledge and enthusiasm for the Dordogne region of France with visitors for the past 30 years. Her first visits to the caves of the Dordogne sparked an insatiable passion for the subject of Paleolithic art and she returned to the University of Bordeaux to continue her studies, resulting in a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Anthropology. Recently, Christine completed a book about the five major case sites in the Dordogne and the evolution of Paleolithic cultures.

  • Linda Harper

    Linda Harper

    Linda was on the NTHP National Main Street program’s management team working with over 200 communities.  As the director for Exchange Programs for the Countryside Institute she provided oversight for communities in 3 counties to implement sustainable environmental and economic programs. Her time as the Board Chair and Executive Director of Historic Congressional Cemetery saw the property go from being listed on the NT’s 11 Most Endangered to being listed as a National Landmark with a $4M endowment. Most recently she served as the CEO for Cultural Tourism for Washington, DC promoting the embassies, monuments, arts and neighborhoods as an integral part of the city’s economic development plan.  Her background in historic preservation, cultural tourism and community engagement will help each traveler better understand the flavor and significance of our stops along the way.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

A non-refundable administrative fee of $300 per person will apply for all cancellations received more than 7 days after booking and before other fees take effect at 120 days:
120 days $300 per person admin fee after 7-day grace period from booking
120 – 91 days 25% of full invoice fare
90 – 61 days 50% of full invoice fare
60 – 31 days 75% of full invoice fare
30 – 0 days 100% of full invoice fare
Separate airfare Terms & Conditions apply

 

TOUR MAP

VL Dordogne map

ITINERARY

  • day 1

    Depart Home City

    Depart your home city on an overnight flight. Linda Harper is the Study leader on the Sept. departure.

  • day 2

    Bordeaux, France

    Arrive in Bordeaux and check in to the Hotel Burdigala, located in the heart of the city. Join the group for a Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening.

  • day 3

    Bordeaux

    After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a walking tour of Bordeaux. Discover the city’s neoclassical Golden Triangle district and see such historical landmarks as the Palais Rohan, Bordeaux Cathedral and the Grand Théâtre opera house — each contributing to Bordeaux’s UNESCO designation.

  • day 4

    Bordeaux for Saint-Émilion/ Sarlat-la-Canéda

    Enjoy a scenic drive to Sarlat-la-Canéda, stopping along the way for an excursion to the Saint-Émilion wine region. The UNESCO World Heritage-designated jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion is comprised of eight medieval villages, each filled with chateaux and vineyards where grapes have been harvested for centuries. Explore the region’s iconic underground monuments and visit a local wine estate for lunch and a tasting. Continue to the charming medieval Dordogne village of Sarlat-la-Canéda, where you will check in to the family-owned Plaza Madeleine Hôtel & Spa.

  • day 5

    Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil/ L’Abri du Cap-Blanc

    Travel to Les Eyzes-de-Tayac-Sireuil, where the first known bones of Homo sapiens were discovered. Visit the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies on a guided tour and see L’Abri du Cap-Blanc’s UNESCO-designated prehistoric cave friezes. Marvel at some of the earliest artifacts and remains of human civilization, along with one-of-a-kind life-size cave paintings. Later this evening, learn more about village life and culture in an interactive forum with a local resident.

  • day 6

    Sarlat-la-Canéda/ Rocamadour

    troll through the streets of Sarlat-la-Canéda and see the 16th-century cathedral of Saint Sacerdos and the sublime Romanesque design of the Chapel of the White Penitents. Note the nearby Lanterne des Morts, a bullet-shaped tower said to have been built in 1147, possibly by the Knights Templar. Enjoy a sampling of wine, cheese and other delectable local food before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rocamadour. Carved into a grand sheer limestone cliff, this village has one of the most dramatic settings in the world. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims flocked here from across Europe to perform penance by ascending the 216 steps of Le Grand Escalier on their knees — seeking miracles from a sacred 12th-century statue of the Black Virgin and Child, a walnut carving that is more than 1,000 years old.

  • day 7

    Sarlat-la-Canéda/ Lascaux/Rouffignac Cave

    In 1940, a quartet of schoolboys stumbled onto the Lascaux cave, a repository of the most stunning works of prehistoric art and today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although the original cave is no longer accessible o visitors for the sake of preservation, you will see a perfect reproduction in the International Center for Cave Art at Lascaux. After lunch at a local restaurant you will visit Rouffignac, “Cave of a Hundred Mammoths,” known for its extraordinary Great Ceiling decorated with beautifully rendered friezes of woolly rhinoceros and mammoth engravings at an enormous scale. Enjoy a French folk music and dance performance after dinner at a local bistro.

  • day 8

    Beynac-et-Cazenac/Domme

    Traverse an elaborate series of stone walls, parapet walks, watchtowers and passageways at the fortified Château de Beynac. Cruise the Dordogne River aboard a 19th-century gabare, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. Travel along the meandering road from Dordogne to Domme, an authentic medieval fortified village. Enter through its original ramparts and see graffiti etched by the Knights Templar on the inner village walls. See an unforgettable panoramic view of old pale stone houses topped with bright orange roofs yielding to the cliff’s edge — and a lush, green horizon that stretches on for miles. Enjoy free time in Domme before heading back to the hotel for a Farewell Reception and Dinner.

  • day 9

    Bordeaux/ Return to Home City

    Check out of the hotel after breakfast for your return flight back to your home city.

Everything you need to know about the tour

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