CAVES, CAVERNS AND CLIFFS OF THE VÉZÈRE VALLEY

The Vézère Valley with its myriad of caves and natural shelters was one of the favoured land of prehistoric man. Exceptional conditions preserved their sculpted relief friezes, engravings and polychrome paintings of bisons, horses, mammoths, deers and signs. This walk will take you to the outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites, through an enchanting, varied, generous countryside.

DAY 1 - Arrival in Les Eyzies-de-Tayat Often called the Capital of Prehistory, Les Eyzies is still a small tranquil village, despite the discovery here of vestiges of our common ancestor, the Cro Magnon man. It is unperturbed by the grand names of archeology who step down the train at its tiny station, but happily collects some of their finds in its National Museum of Prehistory. Accommodation in a two star hotel nestled at the foot of limestone cliffs, offering the ideal atmosphere to relax in peaceful and comfortable surroundings. Dinner at a gourmet restaurant.

DAY 2 - Visit of the National Museum of Prehistory in the morning.
Walk from Les Eyzies to Bardenat - 10 km (6 miles) in the afternoon
You follow the GR6 above the Beune Valley passing two caves with prehistoric paintings, until you reach the impressive remains of the Chateau de Commarque.
Accommodation in an inn-farm (ferme auberge) set in peaceful, green surroundings, with a lovely terrace and swimming-pool. Dinner of traditional Perigourdine cuisine made with the products of the farm.

DAY 3 - Walk to Castel-Merle - 10 km (6 miles)
The trail, partly on a ridge, will take you to Castel-Merle through small oak woods. There are several fascinating prehistoric caves in the vicinity of your auberge if your feet ask for more!
Dinner and accommodation in an auberge set in exceptional surroundings, on a cliff overlooking the Vezère valley, owned by an Englishman and his French wife.

DAY 4 - Loop to La Roque-St-Christophe - 14 km (8.5 miles) This walk takes you to the vast cliff-face of La Roque-St-Christophe, towering over the River Vézère. Its hundreds of natural rock shelters on five levels were inhabited from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages, and its extraordinary terraces sheltered up to 3000 people. Return to the Castel-Merle auberge for Overnight and Dinner.

DAY 5 - Walk, Sergeac to Montignac - 20 km (12.5 miles)
You will follow the GR 36 on a path overlooking the Vézère, passing several lovely villages.
Accommodation in a confortable and friendly two star hotel, and dinner in the reputable restaurant of the hotel.

DAY 6 - Visit of Lascaux II The facsimile is situated 200 m from the original cave. Two sections are reproduced which group together the majority of the paintings in Lascaux. State-of-the-art technology and a strictly scientific approach marvellously recreates the most famous paleolithic sanctuary in the world. Canoe Trip down the Vézère river in the afternoon. Taxi to Sarlat. Accommodation in an original little hotel of Sarlat.

DAY 7 - Visit of Sarlat, The European town with the greatest number of listed buildings of the middle-ages and the Renaissance. We will arrange, at your convenience, a car rental or a bus tour to visit the nearby towns of Domme, La Roque-Gageac and Beynac. Return to Les Eyzies by train Overnight and dinner as in Day 1