What to see and do: Tourism and heritage around Sarlat, in the Dordogne
When you stay in one of our 3 rooms, you will be perfectly situated to visit the main tourist sites and activities in the region, just a few minutes away. We have selected a few of the sights that you should simply not miss
If you wish, we can book the most popular sites for you.
La Roque-Gageac, Sarlat, Grottes, Périgord, Vallées, Dordogne
Activities, Tourism and Heritage around our guest rooms
What to see: Cities, villages, heritage and tourist places
(300 metres from the house): Certainly, the most iconic village in the valley. Ranked as one of the ‘most beautiful villages of France’®, it nestles between the Dordogne river and a cliff lined with a row of yellow-ochre stone houses. Wander through its alley ways and the tropical garden at the foot of the cliff, for an enchanting view over the river.
La Roque-Gageac
A town of art and history, Sarlat is the capital of Périgord noir. It's impossible to stay in the Dordogne without spending several hours discovering its medieval monuments, paved alleyways, traditional houses and its famous weekly markets. The Visitor Information Center organises a number of guided tours.
Sarlat-la-Canéda
The bastides (fortified towns) of Périgord:
Including Domme, Montpazier and Villefranche-du-Périgord, etc., these ‘new towns’ were founded in the 13th and 14th centuries for the Kings of France and England. Built according to common standards (a grid layout, alleyways cut at right angles around a central square and arcades), they are well worth the visit.
Bastide de Domme, Montpazier...
Castelnaud, with its 12th century medieval fortifications, today houses one of the most important collections of weapons and amour...
Fayrac (which cannot be visited) ; Marqueyssac, this 19th century château is surrounded by a 22-hectare park (The hanging gardens of Marqueyssac), providing more than 6 km of shaded walks, bordered by 150,000 hundred-year old box trees.
La vallée des cinq châteaux
Château des Milandes
Château de Beynac
Château de Castelnaud
Château de Fayrac
Château de Marqueyssac
This is the name given to this section of the valley which contains the five most beautiful Périgord châteaux over barely 10 km: Milandes, with its renaissance architecture, belonged to Josephine Baker; Beynac, an impressive example of medieval architecture takes you into the heart of the Middle Ages;
Man and his origins:
A little further on (between 20 km and 35 km away) the caves of Fond de Gaume, Combarelles and, of course, Lascaux 2 and 4 (booking strongly recommended), the troglodytique de la Roque-Saint-Christophe, la maison forte de Reignac and
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, the world’s prehistory capital, will delight those interested in this period. Just a few more kilometres, and you arrive in the neighbouring department of Lot, home to the famous
The Eyrignac gardens and his manor
In the heart of Black Périgord, near Sarlat, discover 10 hectares of plant sculptures. A unique example of Topiary Art in France with new, more and more colorful worlds: visit the 7 gardens according to your desires and enjoy a stroll in the heart of the forest estate of 200 hectares.
The garden of greenery, nestled in the heart of the Périgord Noir, comes in all shades of green: yew, boxwood, charms and cypress are the main species of the garden.
It is the volumes of the topiaries which make all the intelligence of Eyrignac: vegetable sculptures, rooms of greenery, embroidery of boxwood, parterre with the Frenchwoman.
The Céou valley
On leaving Castelnaud, if you take the road along this narrow valley, you will pass through some very bucolic villages, which are typical of Périgord. In Daglan, the small, magnificently restored town. dedicated to arts and crafts in season, explore the many bories (similar to bothies in English), dry stone huts, on a two-hour walk organised by the association, ‘Maison de la pierre sèche.
What to do: Tourist activities around our guest house
There are many other ways to visit the Dordogne valley and Périgord than by car.
By water
Taking a trip with a group on board a barge, or alone or with a friend in a canoe-kayak, down the Dordogne River will give you a different view of the region. In the first case, you will enjoy a guided tour of around one hour (7 km) at the foot of the rocky villages and châteaux. In the second, you can go wherever the fancy takes you (more than 20 km of routes) at your own pace and break up your trip with swims and/or picnics on the banks of the Dordogne.
Flights of fancy
Even more magical, you can fly over the Dordogne in a hot-air balloon. With your partner, family or friends, take off for an incredible experience where time stands still.
At La Roque-Gageac, the company « Montgolfière du Périgord », offers a range of options to suit everyone.
By land:
On foot or by bike, many marked walking paths or cycle routes for all levels allow you to explore the region. At Les Hauts de Gageac, we can reserve bicycles for rent.
On the grass - Golf
About 30 and 40 minutes from the house, four golf courses will appeal to lovers of the little white ball: the golf de la Forge , 9 holes located in Siorac-en-Périgord; the Lolivarie golf course , 18 holes located in St-Germain-de-Belvès; the 18-hole Marterie golf course located in Saint-Félix-de-Reillac-et-Mortemart and the 18-hole Souillac Country Club golf course located in Souillac.