Dordogne River Walk
Dordogne River Walk
Tour Overview
Perigord is one of the largest and most picturesque areas in France. It is divided into two by the River Dordogne which founded the historic frontier between France and England during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453). Along its banks you'll find over a thousand castles steeped in legend and history, and witness to centuries of conquests and conflict. Today the rich and varied culture of this land is still here for you to discover. You will meander along paths that follow the twists and turns of the valley and you will climb through fields and shaded woodland to hilltop towns and fortified strongholds with impressive views. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Rocamadour
Location: Rocamadour
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrive in Rocamadour, home to one of France's most venerated sites and a place of pilgrimage for thousands of years. Your hotel - with private pool - is nestled in parkland and is a haven of tranquillity. You stay at Hotel Les Esclargies (breakfast included)
Day 2 : Rocamadour To Meyronne
Location: Rocamadour
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Before leaving Rocamadour, explore this UNESCO village that clings prettily to the cliffside. Discover its ancient chapels and medieval sanctuary, then set off for Meyronne via the Grottes de Lacave. Stay the night in a beautifully converted 11th century chateau hotel. (Staying at Hotel de la Terrasse)
Day 3 : At Meyronne
Location: Rocamadour
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You have lots of choices today. Either relax by the hotel pool or walk south of the river to Rocher Sainte-Marie and the Grottes de Lacave. If you prefer, head to the town of Rocamadour, home to the shrine of the Black Madonna and one of France's most venerated religious sites. Alternatively, travel by taxi to the Gouffre de Padirac, an enormous chasm where you descend into an underground cave system that you then explore by boat along the subterranean stream. (Staying at Hotel de la Terrasse)
Day 4 : Meyronne To Souillac
Location: Souillac
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Meyronne following the rewarding path along the Roc de Monges with spectacular panoramic views along the river and buzzards and kites soaring overhead. Take the GR6 path through sleepy hamlets and lush farmland, rejoining the river at Chateau de la Treyne before continuing on to the atmospheric small town of Souillac. (Staying at La Vielle Auberge)
Day 5 : At Souillac
Location: Souillac
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wander around this delightful town or visit the Musee de l'Automate, which holds the largest collection of mechanical toys and dolls in France. Alternatively, walk to La Durantie for more stunning views along the Dordogne Valley. (Staying at La Vielle Auberge)
Day 6 : Souillac To Carsac
Location: Dordogne River
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take a transfer to Roufillac then head along the south bank of the Dordogne River into the heart of the Perigord Nord. You can also take a short detour to visit Chateau de Fenelon en route to Carsac. (Staying at La Villa Romaine)
Day 7 : At Carsac
Location: Sarlat-la-Canéda
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Walk along the disused railway line that is now a 'voie verte' into Sarlat and explore this mediaeval town, the capital of the Perigord Noir. Wander the warren of old lanes and charming courtyards with their Renaissance facades and richly ornamented buildings, now protected by law. (Staying at La Villa Romaine)
Day 8 : Carsac To Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse
Location: La Roque-Gageac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's wonderful day of walking takes you along one of the historically interesting sections of the Dordogne River. Pass stone bories (dry stone huts) and small country hamlets as you walk between Chateau de Montfort, Vitrac port and La Roque-Gageac, with incredible views. With the fortifications of Castelnau just across the river from you, stroll into the incredible towering stronghold of Beynac with its quaint cobbled lanes, once besieged by Richard the Lionheart. Take a short but steep detour up to the Chateau de Beynac - perhaps enjoy a refreshing drink on a cafe terrace, with stunning views over the river) then continue through the serene countryside to your hotel. (Staying at the Domaine de Monrecour Chateau Hotel, Half Board)
Day 9 : Leave Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse
Location: Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today marks the end of your tour as you leave Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse.
What's Included
-
Continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals
-
Route directions and maps
-
Luggage transfers between hotels
-
Management by your local Headwater appointed agent
What's Not Included
-
Visas and vaccinations
-
Travel insurance
-
Single supplements
Food
The Dordogne has a rich cuisine based on 'produits du terroir' (locally grown produce). A typical first course would be 'tourain', an onion and garlic soup cooked in a broth with duck or goose fat, and ladled over slices of country bread and cheese. Paté, often duck or goose, is equally popular, as is foie gras. Main course specialities also include duck and goose, often served in light cream sauces and, in the autumn, fresh cepes. Duck or goose fat is also used for the accompanying pommes de terre sarladaises - slices of potato sauteed in goose fat, with garlic, parsley and wild mushrooms. Traditional desserts include tarte aux noix, and flognarde, a type of flan with fruit and liqueur. A local cheese that is worth tasting is Bleu des Causses, similar to Roquefort, as well as Rocamadour goat's cheese. There are also some fantastic wines that come from the local area and a little further afield in Bordeaux that will accompany your meals perfectly.
...more ...less
Accommodation
You will stay in characterful 3 & 4 star hotels throughout, including a grand country manor set in its own private parkland, two beautifully preserved chateaux and a traditional family-run auberge. All hotels have private swimming pools.
Check out our Q&As
-
What type of accommodation can I expect during the Dordogne River Walk tour?
You will stay in characterful 3 and 4 star hotels throughout the tour, including a grand country manor set in its own private parkland, two beautifully preserved chateaux, and a traditional family-run auberge. All hotels have private swimming pools.
-
Are meals included in the Dordogne River Walk tour?
Yes, continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals are included in the tour package.
-
Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour.
-
What wildlife might I see along the Dordogne River Walk?
You may encounter a variety of river wildlife including herons, coypu, kites, kingfishers, buzzards, and dragonflies.
-
What are some of the activities available on the free days during the tour?
On free days, you can relax by the hotel pool, explore nearby towns such as Rocamadour, visit the Grottes de Lacave, or take a taxi to the Gouffre de Padirac to explore an underground cave system by boat.
-
What is the starting and ending point of the Dordogne River Walk tour?
The tour starts in Rocamadour and ends in Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this operator
Save on this tour
Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!
Send me one now.1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 02, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 03, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 09, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 10, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 17, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 29, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 22, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 23, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 24, 2025 - Aug 01, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 25, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 28, 2025 - Aug 05, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 06, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 30, 2025 - Aug 07, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 31, 2025 - Aug 08, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Dordogne River Walk
9 Days Starting in Rocamadour and ending in Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse
Visiting: Rocamadour, Souillac, Dordogne River, Sarlat-la-Canéda, La Roque-Gageac, Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W08DO
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements