| The Dordogne Valley, or the Perigord as it is also | | | | Castelnaud, and Fayrac. The village, tucked at the |
| called by the locals, is home to many of the "Most | | | | foot of the cliff adjacent to the river, is where |
| Beautiful Villages of France". This area is not as | | | | the motion picture "Chocolat" was filmed. A |
| well known as others in the country, but it is | | | | steeply sloping footpath known locally as the |
| certainly one of the most beautiful. These 5 | | | | Caminal del Panieraire (basket maker's path- this |
| venues are among the top sites in the region, and | | | | was 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 top | | | | the 15th to the 17th centuries, to the castle and |
| of a rocky cliff overlooking the | | | | the church on top. This walk is definitely |
| Dordogne valley. From the lookout area, the view | | | | recommended, but it does get steep toward the |
| embraces the valleyfrom the Montfort meander | | | | top. Tours of the chateau are normally in French, |
| in the east, to Beynac in the west. The view of | | | | but English language tours are available some |
| the tranquil river and fields of crops belies the | | | | mornings. 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 by | | | | 4. Castelnaud- This "chateau fort", or fortified |
| Philip the Bold in 1283, so it is actually newer than | | | | castle, stands only about 2 kilometers from the |
| other villages in the area. People at the time were | | | | chateau de Beynac, and it was between the two |
| encouraged to go to newly founded towns, called | | | | that the battle front between the English and the |
| bastides, most of which were planned around a | | | | French shifted during the Hundred Years War. The |
| central covered market area. There are | | | | chateau changed hands between the two sides |
| numerous bastides in France dating from this | | | | numerous 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 when | | | | recently in 1969. The castle provides superior |
| one will find homegrown and homemade fruits and | | | | views of the Dordogne valley, and it also houses |
| vegetables, sausages, olives, cheeses, cured | | | | a 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 of | | | | from the valley below. There are also two films, |
| Tourism to find the schedule for markets at | | | | one 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 is | | | | village is quaint, but be prepared for a steep climb |
| huddled against a cliff which drops vertically to the | | | | on foot to reach the chateau. |
| river Dordogne. It features attractive little streets | | | | 5. Sarlat- A bustling town today, Sarlat grew up |
| with interesting homes, churches, and other | | | | around a Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th |
| buildings, including the Manoir de Tarde, a manor | | | | century. 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 in | | | | caused their downfall. The 13th and early 14th |
| abundance, as the protection of the cliff is such | | | | centuries were a prosperous time for this busy |
| that the flora there can survive even in the | | | | market 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 the | | | | period of reconstruction, and most of the town |
| foot of the cliff and provides great views and | | | | houses to be seen today were built between |
| pictures. The Troglodyte caves are to be found | | | | 1450-1500. 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 is | | | | possible, have dinner in one of the many |
| beautiful Beynac. The Chateau de Beynac stands | | | | restaurants in the old town and see the village at |
| on a remarkable site, rising from the top of a | | | | night as well, as it is attractively lit up. Sarlat's old |
| rock as it overlooks thevalley spotted with hills | | | | village has a number of interesting places to visit |
| crowned with castles. The castle was once | | | | including the Cathedrale of St. Sacerdos; the |
| captured by Richard the Lion Hearted, and over | | | | Maison de la Boetie, where Etienne de la Boetie, a |
| the years and during numerous wars it was | | | | famous writer and friend of Montaigne, and who |
| destroyed and then rebuilt. There is a sheer drop | | | | also 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 panorama | | | | shops, galleries, and restaurants. |
| includes the nearby castles of Marqueyssac, | | | | |