5-Day Dordogne Travel Package based in Sarlat (Shared)
About this activity
Highlights
- Wander the picturesque town of Sarlat
- See the beautiful town of Rocamadour
- Enjoy a cruise on the Dordogne River
- See extraordinary cave paintings from 15,000 BC
- Explore the hidden gems of the valley of Dordogne
Full description
Wondrous, Beautiful & Historical !
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SARLAT
Arrive in Sarlat on your own and settle into your hotel.
Explore the exceptional beauty of Sarlat at your own pace.
Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and is one of the most representative towns of 14th century France. Located in the heart of the Périgord Noir, the town possesses an outstanding number of buildings and houses dating from the 13th to 18th century. Take some time to stroll through the small narrow alleys and streets for personal discovery. Night in Sarlat.
DAY 2 - SARLAT GOURMET WALKING TOUR & VILLAGES
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.30am Pick up at Place Pasteur Bus Stop in Sarlat
Experience the Excitement of Bustling Sarlat on Market Day
Welcome to Sarlat, one of the most fascinating small towns of France. This tour takes place only on market days, so follow your guide through the winding streets and stroll through the colorful stalls as he introduces you to the local delicacies. Your tour will include stops where you will taste delicious specialties of the region including duck, cheese, walnuts and wine. At 2.00pm, departure for the second part of your day. Pick up at Place Pasteur Bus Stop in Sarlat
The Highlights of the Dordogne Valley in One Short Tour
Drive to the beautiful village of Domme. With its trapezoid city plan, Domme is a bastide, or a fortified medieval town, adapted to the surrounding terrain, and thus falling short of the rectangular city plan characteristic to bastides. The village is classified as one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (“The Most Beautiful Villages of France”). In 1307, Knight Templars were imprisoned in Domme while during the Hundred Years’ War, the bastide was coveted by the English who first took the town in 1347 and repeatedly changed rulers throughout the war until 1437 when it finally fell under French rule again.
Then drive to La Roque Gageac and enjoy a peaceful cruise on the the Dordogne River on board an authentic Gabarre to admire mighty castles that line the river. Finally, reach Beynac to admire the village and the Castle. This Middle Ages construction, with its austere appearance, is perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town and the north bank of the Dordogne River. The castle was built in the 12th century by the barons of Beynac (one of the four baronies of Périgord) to close the valley.
The sheer cliff face being sufficient to discourage any assault from that side, the defenses were built up on the plateau: double crenelated walls, double moats, one of which was a deepened natural ravine, double barbican. See architectural phenomenon, aided by nature, and discover more about the history of this unusual city on this half-day tour!
6.00pm Return to Sarlat and night at your hotel.
DAY 3 - LASCAUX IV VISIT & THE ART OF THE CAVES
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.00am Pick up at Place Pasteur Bus Stop in Sarlat
A Full Day Exploring the Fascinating History of the Cave Paintings
Some 15,000 years B.C. unknown artists created breathtaking cave paintings of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area. During this day tour you will be introduced to this fascinating art and to the people who made it. Begin the day in Les Eyzies de Tayac for a guided visit of the National Prehistory Museum. Opened in 2004, this national museum possesses the largest collection of prehistoric artifacts in the world.
Continue to Montignac where you will visit Lascaux IV cave, a perfect reproduction of the original cave. Opened in 2016, Lascaux IV is a triumph of technology. Unlike any other cave visits, Lascaux IV employs different set designs, displays, state-of-the-art interactive workshops and immersive technology to bring it to life. In fact, the atmosphere inside the replica cave is just like that of a real cave: dark, damp and muffled.
Finally, end the tour with the visit of Rouffignac Cave that possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings. The Rouffignac cave was already mentioned in 1575 by François de Belleforest. In his Cosmographie universelle he cites “paintings and animal traces”. In the 19th century the cave was known as a tourist attraction.
Famous archaeologists like Henry Breuil, André Glory and Martel had visited the cave in the early 20th century, but it was only in 1956 when Louis-René Nougier and Romain Robert, two prehistorians from the Pyrenees, rediscovered and confirmed the cave art. After the visit, return to Sarlat.
6.00pm return to Sarlat and night at your hotel.
DAY 4 - ROCAMADOUR VILLAGE HALF DAY TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.00am Pick up at Place Pasteur Bus Stop in Sarlat
A Spectacular Half-Day Visit of This Most Special Village
Depart for the pilgrimage and fortress village of Rocamadour that attracts visitors for its setting in a gorge above a tributary of the River Dordogne. The village is renowned for its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which for centuries has brought pilgrims from every country, among them kings, bishops, and nobles.
Follow your guide and visit the renowned Notre Dame Chapel, part of an extraordinary 13thcentury chapel complex perched on a cliff and one of the most dramatic pilgrimage sites in Europe. Enjoy some free time for personal discovery and return to Sarlat.
DAY 5 - SARLAT
Breakfast at your hotel and end of our services.
Included / Excluded
- Accommodation in a double room sharing in Sarlat for 4 nights in a 3* or 4* hotel
- Breakfast from day 2 to day 5
- Sarlat guided walking tour shared tour
- Lascaux IV, Rouffignac cave and National Prehistory Museum visit with entrance fees
- Rocamadour and Padirac full-day shared tour
- Personal travel insurance and expenses.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Meals and drinks.
- Gratuities for the driver/guide.
Meeting point
Start Location
Place Pasteur, Sarlat-la-Canéda, France
Important information
Know before you book
- English speaking tour
- Minimum number of 2 participants applies
- Prices are per person, double room sharing
- Maximum group size of 8 participants on the shared tours
Know before you go
- All tours depart from a centrally located meeting point
- Currency is in EUROS
- Tour Operate in English
Cancellation policy
Ophorus requires a deposit of 30% on booking confirmation with balance to be made at least 30 days prior to arrival (in case of last minute registration payment is expected immediately). If Operator does not receive balance payment of Tour from Guest by the designated due date, Operator reserves the right to cancel Guest reservation. We accept payment by credit cards (Visa, Master card, American Express) or bank transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest). There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund : 60+ days > 20€ fee per person 59 to 30 days prior to arrival - 30% of the overall price (deposit) 29 to 15 days prior to arrival - 75% of the overall price 14 days or less prior to arrival - no refund Please note that the extras (tastings, lunchs and any service added to the original itinerary) are non-refundable and subject to particular conditions, please refer to our reservation team for more details. No insurance for cancellation or assistance is included in the prices mentioned for all packages. Each customer has to check that he or she has the appropriate documents for their journey: a passport (with visa if necessary) or a valid ID card. No refund will be granted in case of lack or loss of ID documents. Eating, drinking and smoking on board the minivans are strictly forbidden (law of September 17th, 1977). All passengers are insured during the excursions while in the vans. The responsibility of Ophorus is limited to our insurance contract clauses.
Reviews
We had a very fun day with Matt to Mont Saint-Mitchel. Matt is an excellent tour guide & he cared for his clients very much. He's an on time person. We learned a lot about the history of Saint-Mitchel via Matt. He made sure we have enough time browsing this beautiful UNESCO. We definitely recommend friends & family this tour. Thank you Matt
Pascal was, above all, a smiling whirlwind of energy from the very start — bursting with knowledge, passion, and just the right amount of dramatic flair. He painted the horror of the Omaha Beach invasion so vividly that we could practically hear the chaos, then marched us through the bunkers at Pointe du Hoc like we were on a mission ourselves. And before we even caught our breath, he had already catapulted us back to Bayeux at invasion speed. A legend in tour‑guide form. Thanks from Croatian Team😉
Our Normandy D-Day tour was well worth it and we so enjoyed our tour guide Matt. He made the tour engaging, entertaining and informative. The tour was just the right size and a half day was perfect for us. It would have been much harder to get around to the sites and understand each without the information that Matt was constantly sharing. There was hardly a time that Matt was not telling us what/how/when of what we were looking at. Thanks Matt!
Additional information
• Small groups of 2 to 8 persons. • Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate. • In case minimum numbers are not reached we will offer to reschedule or refund your tour. • If you are traveling with infants, please request a private tour. •