Walks France
... by The Walking Party
Dordogne Quercy
The Dordogne is so well known throughout the world for its spectacular flowers, pre-historic caves and scenery and gastronomy. You will visit Lascaux II and the gardens of Marqueyssac and have some of the most delicious food to eat from what is without doubt the gastronomic heart of France. You will see the great chateaux of Benac and Castelnaud as well as the beautiful bastides of Monpazier and Villereal. The Dordogne is known as being the gastronomic heart of France and you eat fabulously well here. You will be staying at the four star Manoir d'Hautegente and the charming Le Vert in the Quercy, Lot.
| Duration | Distance | Price Per Person | Single Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Days | 47 Miles | €1890 | €360 |
| Departure Dates | |||
| 14th - 21st April, 5th - 12th, 12th - 19th and 19th - 26th May | |||
The area of south west France known as the ‘Quercy’ is less famous than its neighbour the Dordogne but all the more beautiful with its calm limestone pastures and lofty Lombardy poplar valleys. It was given by Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henri d’Anjou in 1152, two years before he became Henry II of England, and its beauty and timelessness has changed little since. Not only that but it is still known today as being core to the great gastronomic heart of France.
The pastures can be full of meadow clary and ox eye daisies. Literally carpets of them.
Also you could see up to twenty different species of orchid when walking at this time of year. The one illustrated here is a Serapia. These look like origami flowers. They are quite extraordinary.
This is Chateau Benac which you will see when you walk across the Dordogne valley after the great gastronomic market at Sarlat. It is built high on a cliff face over looking the river and was buiklt by the French. Many castles of course were built by the English here like Castelnaud which stands opposite this one. The valley is literally sprinkled with castles.
Dordogne Quercy : Day 1
ARRIVAL After meeting up with James and the rest of the group at Bordeaux airport you will be driven to the prettily restored Manor House of Manoir d'Hautegente. This is a small four star hotel in the heart of the Dordogne beautifully situated on the banks of the Coly all set about with towering plane trees. The Manoir has an excellent chef and this is an ideal place from which to explore this area. The bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are large and wonderfully comfortable. Your first three nights are spent here. There is a swimming pool.
Dordogne Quercy : Day 2
PRE-HISTORIC CAVES After a classic French breakfast we depart in the vehicles for the wonderful caves of Lascaux II. These caves sit above the pretty village of Montignac and here we see what is called the Sistine Chapel of the pre-historic world. We then set off on foot through the beautiful landscape towards the village of St Amand de Coly for an excellent lunch cooked by Huguette. After lunch a voluntary walk back to the Manoir. Walk : 9 miles
Dordogne Quercy : Day 3
CASTLES AND TOPIARY GARDENS We set off after breakfast for a visit to the beautiful gardens of Eyrignac, one of the finest continental gardens of France. After a walk around the extraordinary topiary we continue for the world famous market at Sarlat. This is a huge gastronomic affair in an idyllic setting. Sarlat is one of the most lovely towns of France and is on the list to be classed as a world heritage site. After lunch a visit to the great castle of Castelnaud towering over the river and then a walk acros the valley to the gardens of Marqueyssac which have an extaordinary assymetrical topiary on a cliff ridge overlooking the Dordogne. Return to the Manoir by car. Walk : 4 miles
Dordogne Quercy : Day 4
BASTIDES We leave by car for a walk through the chestnut woods and pastures to the twelfth century bastide of Monpazier founded by our Edward 1st in 1284. This is probably the most beautiful of all bastides and we will lunch beneath the perfectly proportioned arcades of the Place des Cornières. The bastides were built in the twelfth century and were a formidable piece of town planning which allowed the individual his rights in such dark times and was the very start of the rise of the merchant class. In the afternoon we will continue by foot through the oak woods towards another historical masterpiece - Chateau Biron. An extraordinary mass of architecture through the ages. An ice cold beer or a cup of tea then before driving to Le Vert, near Mauroux. This is a restored sixteenth century manor house with an excellent chef; Bernard Philippe. This is French cuisine refined and beautifully presented. A very good wine list of wines from the South West as would be expected.. All bedrooms have bathrooms en suite and you will spend your next three nights here. There is a swimming pool. Walk: 7 miles
Dordogne Quercy : Day 5
CASTLE A drive in the morning to Château Chambert. We set off by foot, with the donkeys and full kit and Daniel, for stunning views over the valleys of Jurassic limestone. We will pass through vineyards and tiny villages before arriving for a leisurely picnic with Diana beneath the shade of the orchard trees of Mademoiselle Goul. After lunch we visit the mighty honey coloured castle of Bonaguil. This was a castle much admired by T. E. Lawrence. Much of it was built in the sixteenth century by Baron Berenger de Roquefeuil. We will join the vehicles to return to Le Vert. Tea and dinner at Le Vert. Walk: 9 miles
Dordogne Quercy : Day 6
LAVENDER AND ORCHIDS After breakfast at Le Vert we will drive back to St Matré and start our walk towards Chateau Figeac, a privately owned chateau where we will have a picnic again with Diana. .. and will walk through pastures littered with stands of orchids and wild flowers before visiting a local Lavender Distillery. Lavender Distilleries are a dying breed here in the Quercy and Maryse Theyvenet will explain to us how they obtain their oil. We will then carry on to Chateau Figeac for lunch. This is a charming small private chateau owned by one of the oldest families of the Quercy. After lunch we drive back to Le Vert. Dinner Le Vert. Walk: 10 miles
Dordogne Quercy : Day 7
CAHORS VINEYARD A drive to the village of St Vincent Rives d’Olt on the banks of the river Lot. We set off along the river with the donkeys again for the first part of the morning catching glimpses of loping herons and other river bird life before we move on up through the woods where wild boar roam in plenty. We will arrive at the little port of Albas to be picked up and driven to the village of Grezels and lunch at La Terrace where Monsieur Pignières insists that wine is much better for you than water. A drive then to visit one of the best Cahors vineyards: Clos Triguedina. This is a serious affair and the owner, Jean-Luc Baldès will give us a tour and tasting of his excellent and incredible selection of wines. Return to Le Vert by car to relax. Walk : 9 miles
Dordogne Quercy : Day 8
ABBEY You leave in the morning for Bordeaux airport. You will be driven to Saint Emilion, now a world heritage site. We will have lunch here in this very pretty village with a slight bent on the wine front (!) before continuing to Bordeaux airport.
