Reasons to visit the Dordogne region of France
By TDF. Filed in Travel & Living |
There are many reasons to visit and explore the Dordogne region of France. Some of the key highlights inlude:
Lascaux caves.
The prehistoric paintings at Lascaux are probably the most renowned
cave paintings in the world. The cave paintings you can now visit are a
copy of the prehistoric paintings contained in the original Lascaux
caves, 200 metres away, because human breath was damaging the
originals. The replica paintings have been made using the same
materials and techniques as were used for the original paintings,
19,000 years ago.
The Lascaux cave paintings are mostly pictures of large animals,
including the ‘auroch’ - a now extinct early relative of the ox (it is
thought that the Auroch was worshiped as a sacred beast in prehistoric
times). Truly a remarkable experience, and you quickly forget that you
are looking at modern day replicas.
Sarlat
Sarlat is a beautiful medieval town a few kilometres north of the
River Dordogne. The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance
times is a pleasure to visit, especially during the spring and autumn,
or early in the morning. If you can catch the early morning sunshine on
the yellow sandstone buildings, so much the better.
Wander through the back streets around the cathedral to get a feel for how the town must have been 500 years ago.
Les Eyzies
Les Eyzies is at the centre of a very beautiful area, in the Vezere
Valley, with numerous cliff and rock formations, surrounded by rivers,
hills and tranquil countryside. At the centre of prehistoric life in
Europe, there are several interesting cave systems and prehistoric
relics to visit around Les Eyzies.
Les Eyzies is also home to the National Prehistory Museum which
houses one of the world’s most complete collections of prehistoric
artefacts. Just a couple of hundred metres from the National Prehistory
museum is Abri Pataud, a cro-magnon shelter dating back almost 40,000
years. The cave-lined Vézère valley has been classified as a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO
Chateaux
In the Dordogne region there are reputed to be 1001 chateaux. Many
of the most magnificent are open to the public. Start perhaps with the
Chateau de Commarque, Chateau de Castelnaud, or (my personal favourite)
Chateau de Beynac, set high above the Dordogne river and the attractive
village of Beynac.
Each has its own impressive tale to tell of centuries of conflict,
often between the French and the English during the Hundred Years War,
and each has its own magnificent views over the surrounding
countryside.
Most beautiful villages
There are several villages in the Dordogne region that have
received the prestigious ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ award.
These include Monpazier, a perfectly preserved medieval bastide town to
the south of the region; La Roque-Gageac, a picture postcard village
spread out along the Dordogne river, with troglodyte dwellings and a
tropical garden spreading up the cliff behind; and Beynac, mentioned
above for its castle but equally attractive as a village in its own
right
Several other villages in the immediate vicinity also have the award.
The Dordogne region provides a glimpse into a world virtually
unchanged as the centuries have unfolded, and a visit is always an
unforgettable experience.
