The Dordogne Region of France- 5 Must-See Venues

The Dordogne Valley, or the Perigord as it is alsoCastelnaud, and Fayrac. The village, tucked at the
called by the locals, is home to many of the "Mostfoot of the cliff adjacent to the river, is where
Beautiful Villages of France". This area is not asthe motion picture "Chocolat" was filmed. A
well known as others in the country, but it issteeply sloping footpath known locally as the
certainly one of the most beautiful. These 5Caminal del Panieraire (basket maker's path- this
venues are among the top sites in the region, andwas seen in the opening scenes of the film
a visit to the Dordogne is not complete without"Chocolat") leads from the bottom of the village,
seeing them all.through rows of renaissance houses dating from
1. Domme- Domme is a village situated at the topthe 15th to the 17th centuries, to the castle and
of a rocky cliff overlooking thethe church on top. This walk is definitely
Dordogne valley. From the lookout area, the viewrecommended, but it does get steep toward the
embraces the valleyfrom the Montfort meandertop. Tours of the chateau are normally in French,
in the east, to Beynac in the west. The view ofbut English language tours are available some
the tranquil river and fields of crops belies themornings. Check with one of the local tourism
violence that took place here in the middle ages.offices for availability.
Domme is a bastide village that was founded by4. Castelnaud- This "chateau fort", or fortified
Philip the Bold in 1283, so it is actually newer thancastle, stands only about 2 kilometers from the
other villages in the area. People at the time werechateau de Beynac, and it was between the two
encouraged to go to newly founded towns, calledthat the battle front between the English and the
bastides, most of which were planned around aFrench shifted during the Hundred Years War. The
central covered market area. There arechateau changed hands between the two sides
numerous bastides in France dating from thisnumerous times. There were several periods of
general period. Although worth a visit any time,restoration after the middle ages, the last starting
Domme is especially nice on market days whenrecently in 1969. The castle provides superior
one will find homegrown and homemade fruits andviews of the Dordogne valley, and it also houses
vegetables, sausages, olives, cheeses, cureda museum of medieval and siege weaponry. One
hams, and of course a staple of the Dordogne,can see several catapults in the courtyard, even
foie gras. Check any of the local Offices offrom the valley below. There are also two films,
Tourism to find the schedule for markets atone relating to the weapons museum and another
Domme or other villages.about the history of the castle. The surrounding
2. La Roque Gageac- This charming village isvillage is quaint, but be prepared for a steep climb
huddled against a cliff which drops vertically to theon foot to reach the chateau.
river Dordogne. It features attractive little streets5. Sarlat- A bustling town today, Sarlat grew up
with interesting homes, churches, and otheraround a Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th
buildings, including the Manoir de Tarde, a manorcentury. The abbots retained their power until the
house of the once locally famous Tarde family.13th century when internal strife and corruption
One stretch has semi-tropical plant life incaused their downfall. The 13th and early 14th
abundance, as the protection of the cliff is suchcenturies were a prosperous time for this busy
that the flora there can survive even in themarket town, but the Hundred Years War left it
winter months.weakened and depopulated. After this came a
A walking path runs behind the buildings at theperiod of reconstruction, and most of the town
foot of the cliff and provides great views andhouses to be seen today were built between
pictures. The Troglodyte caves are to be found1450-1500. This has created an architectural unity
along here as well, and they are worth a visit.in renaissance style which is very attractive. If
3. Beynac- About 2 miles down the road ispossible, have dinner in one of the many
beautiful Beynac. The Chateau de Beynac standsrestaurants in the old town and see the village at
on a remarkable site, rising from the top of anight as well, as it is attractively lit up. Sarlat's old
rock as it overlooks thevalley spotted with hillsvillage has a number of interesting places to visit
crowned with castles. The castle was onceincluding the Cathedrale of St. Sacerdos; the
captured by Richard the Lion Hearted, and overMaison de la Boetie, where Etienne de la Boetie, a
the years and during numerous wars it wasfamous writer and friend of Montaigne, and who
destroyed and then rebuilt. There is a sheer dropalso influenced Rousseau, was born; the Hotel de
of almost 500 ft. from the chateau to the river,Maleville; among others. There are many charming
and the view is spectacular. The panoramashops, galleries, and restaurants.
includes the nearby castles of Marqueyssac,