And finally, right at the very top stands the Rocamadour castle, which offers the best views over the sprawling Azou Canyon.Īrguably the most famous village in Dordogne, Rocamadour tends to get very, very busy in the summer months. The lower layer is made up of a selection of restaurants and little shops, the middle layer is a cluster of religious buildings including the famous Chapelle Notre-Dame and the Black Madonna statue which has attracted millions of pilgrims over the centuries. What makes it so special is the way it was built: three distinct layers carved into the cliff slopes, dating back over 600 years. This hamlet is one of 150 officially recognized “Prettiest Villages in France” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village of Rocamadour is located in the Dordogne valley and had me picking up my jaw off the ground, it is that spectacular. Tickets €/$6 to be bought online or at the entrance of the castle. The castle can be visited with or without a guide, though it is noteworthy to mention guided visits are held but once a day at 10.00 AM and are entirely in french. The castle lies on the outskirts of town and was built initially as a sumptuous hunting lodge in the 16th century for the first president of the Paris Parliament. Next is the nearby “Grotte de Villars”, huge natural caves containing prehistoric paintings which are accessible to the public.Īnd finally, the reason we ended up visiting, is one of the only Renaissance castles in Dordogne, Château de Puyguilhelm. First off, the fortified church of The Abbaye de Boschaud was built between 11. There are multiple reasons to add the village of Villars to your itinerary. Evidence suggests the town was then further developed in the Middle Ages. The Dordogne Valley is ideal for nature lovers with an endless choice of hiking, biking and riding tracks in unspoilt countryside.Villars is one of the smaller and older villages in Dordogne with a population of nearly 500, and a history of inhabitation that dates back to prehistoric times. The Dordogne Valley proudly owns a stunning cultural heritage and some of the prettiest sites in France, including the mighty fortress of Castelnau-Bretenoux and the Renaissance castle ofĪlso not to be missed are the impressive Tours de Merle, some medieval towers that look like a set from Game of Thrones. Another must-see is The Gouffre de Padirac, the biggest chasm inĮurope and a fascinating boat journey into a magical underground world, 103 metres under the surface. The caves of Lascaux contain some of the most terrific examples of Paleolithic art in Europe. With its limestone plateaus, the region is also home to an infinite number of cliff dwellings and adorned with extraordinary stalactites, stalagmites and prehistoricĭrawings. ![]() Holds the renowned statue of the Black Virgin, worshiped here for over a millenium. The basilica Saint-Sauveur and the crypt Saint-Amadour are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and the chapel of Miracles ![]() Great pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Spectacularly clinging to the cliff, Rocamadour is situated on the Way of Saint James and has been a With its cobbled streets, manors, artisan shops, cafés and restaurants, it seems to glow in the evening sun.Īt the heart of the Dordogne Valley stands the sacred city of Rocamadour. The Dordogne Valley boasts no less than 5 of the « Most Beautiful Villages in France », including Collonges-la-Rouge, a fairy-tale like villageīuilt entirely in red sandstone. From cave paintings to Roman occupation, or from the Hundred Years War to the Renaissance, all have shaped the landscape you see ![]() The Dordogne Valley retains many traces of its historic past. Of Biosphere Reserves, a prestigious recognition for an environment of exceptional quality. It is the only river in France to be part of the UNESCO World Network Of the Dordogne river provide lots of fun activities including swimming and canoeing. With its fascinating cultural heritage and beautifully preserved natural environment, the Dordogne Valley has it all.
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