Dordogne Plus Beaux Villages Walk

Self-guided walking holiday in France

From £ 650.- / 8 days
Price per person based on 2 people sharing

  • +
  • Self-Guided
  • Trail
Aerial view onto a Dordogne castle on a hilltop, surrounded by green farm-fields a lane in Collonges - Dordogne People sitting at a terrace of an old French cafe

A self-guided trail walking holiday in the picturesque landscape of the upper Dordogne valley.

Visit six of the “most beautiful villages” in France as you follow the meanders of the Dordogne. Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to visit famous sights such as the 11th Century Château de Castelnaud and limestone caves.

You’ll be walking from inn to inn, with your luggage transported ahead of you.

Accommodation in the Dordogne valley

During this trail walking holiday you’ll walk from accommodation to accommodation. You stay in 2-3 star hotels with ensuite facilities, 4 of which have a swimming pool, in picturesque towns and villages.

A small, white hotel
Large swimming pool in a hotel-garden
Bedroom with double bed

Daily French breakfast and six evening meals are included. On most walking days you’ll be able to have lunch in restaurants, only day three possibly requires a picnic.

Walking in upper Dordogne valley

View towards a picturesque village in a green valley
Street procession in the Dordogne

The distances walked are between 8.5 and 14 miles per day with occasional steep climbs. The route notes have clear directions and notes about the history and area you are in at the time and you are also supplied with maps with the route highlighted.

Your luggage is transported ahead of you. All you need to bring along for your walks is a daypack.

Dordogne valley walking holiday itinerary

View over green countryside from between turennes
A small river surrounded by trees

The programme of this Dordogne inn to inn walking holiday can be extended. See below for more information.

Day 1 – Arrival in Sarrazac. Sarrazac is a beautiful, well preserved French hamlet secluded from the world in a wooded valley.

Day 2 – Sarrazac to Meyssac – 19 km / 12 miles. Today you’ll visit two of Corrèze’s “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. The first is Turenne, a spectacular hilltop village, where you stop for lunch for lunch. From here you meander through lush country lanes to Collonges La Rouge which stands alone in the region being a medieval village built entirely of red sandstone.

Day 3 – Meyssac to Beaulieu Sur Dordogne – 23 km / 14 miles. You’ll be walking through Curemonte, one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. It’s a very well preserved hilltop village with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. The journey ends with a delightful descent along an ancient cobbled mule track into Beaulieu sur Dordogne.

Day 4 – Rest day in Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne with full route notes for a circular walk. Time to take a stroll around this fascinating town, enjoying the river and lunch at a bustling pavement café. Today is on a B&B basis to enable you to choose to dine this evening at one of the many local restaurants.

Day 5 – Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne to Port de Gagnac – 17 km / 10.5 miles. Today is back to nature, taking in mixed woodlands and crossing streams walking towards the Cère river Valley. Some of the route is little frequented and so can get a little overgrown, even in the summer walking season, but we think this adds to the adventure!

Day 6 – Port de Gagnac to Loubressac – 20 km / 12.5 miles minimum. At the start of today you’ll be passing through the vineyards of the co-operative growers that make a very good wine, the Coteaux de Glanes. A detour will take you to the historic 11th Century Château de Castelnaud. You pass through Autoire and end the day in Loubressac, both perfect examples of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. Loubressac, a bastide (fortified town) on a rocky spur, has a grand vista of the surrounding valleys, Bave river and the Château de Castelnaud.

Day 7 – Loubressac to Carennac – 10 km / 6 miles or 14 km / 8.5 miles. Take the 4 km detour to the Gouffre de Padirac (Padirac Chasm) where an underground boat ride will take you through impressive limestone caverns. If you decide not to visit Padirac you’ll continue on foot towards Carennac, another of the “Plux Beaux Villages de France”. From here you could hire a kayak to paddle along the river Dordogne past the spectacular cliffs of Gluges.

Day 8 – Departure after breakfast.

Dates and Availability

street in Carenac village
Hilltop village in the Dordogne

This Dordogne walking holiday is flexible and can start in any date, subject to accommodation availability. The holiday can be extended to include two more walking days. Your hosts can also organise Bike Hire, River Kayaking and Wine Tasting for you. Please contact the holiday provider, through the contact form, for more information.

Request more info

Get in touch for more information about this walking holiday:










    Map of France showing the location of the Dordogne Plus Beaux Villages Walk Self-guided walking holiday

    Holiday Type:

    Self-GuidedTrail
    Walking Holiday


    Board Basis:

    Half Board

    Price:

    From £ 650.- / 8 days
    Price per person based on 2 people sharing

    Features:

    • Dogs welcome
    • GPS tracks available
    • Luggage transport
    • + Multiple accommodations

    What's included:

    • 7x Nights accommodation
    • 7x Breakfast
    • 6x Dinner
    • Route and walk descriptions
    • Luggage transport

    NOT included:

    All other costs, including travel costs to the starting-point of this holiday.

    Walking Grade:

    hills and low mountains
    • Hills to low mountains
    • Easy to moderate walking

    Best time to go:

    April – October (August can be hot)

    Contact Details:

    Dordogne Plus Beaux Villages Walk, a Self-guided walking holiday in France by Dordogne Experience

    Contact: Keith & Val
    Telephone: +33 (0) 545 641 796

    Ask a question

    Visit Website

    Languages spoken:

    English, French

    Getting there:

    • Brive Airport (25 km)
    • Bergerac Airport (145 km)
    • Toulouse Blagnac Airport (200 km)
    • Brive Train station (25 km)
    • TGV Toulouse Train station with onward local train (200 km)

    Location map

    ?

    Pin It on Pinterest