Small Group Tour of Dordogne: Caves, Villas & Castles

Up against the cliffs overlooking the town of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil is a somewhat brutish representation of a prehistoric man. Created by the French sculptor Paul Dardé and unveiled in 1931,  ‘Primitive Man’ represents a  Neanderthal not a Cro-Magnon individual, the first remains of which were found in a rock shelter a few hundred metres along the cliff-face. A kilometre or two in the other direction are Les Combarellles and Font de Gaume, two decorated caves discovered in 1902, the discovery of which lead to the acceptance of the prehistoric age of Franco-Cantabrian cave art. With the many archaeological investigations then and the founding of the National Museum of Prehistory in 1918, Les Eyzies  soon became known as the ‘world capital of prehistory’, actively encouraging visitors to explore the many prehistoric sites in the area.

In four days, this small group tour will introduce you to the prehistory of the Vézère Valley. You will visit five of the finest decorated caves still accessible to the public as well as the replica of Lascaux (II or IV). Other archaeological sites will provide a broader context of the prehistoric peopling of this area. There is more, however, to the Vézère Valley and surrounding area than its prehistoric heritage. And other archaeological and historic sites are included on the itinerary introduce participants to the rich and varied history of the region.

For a taste of the rich Roman heritage, you will get to see the extraordinary presentation of the remains of a town house in what was then Vesunna, present-day Périgueux. Arranged around a central garden and richly decorated with frescoes, the residence with its hypocaust-heated rooms, a substantial kitchen, reception rooms, and baths bears testimony to the wealth of its inhabitants. Towards the end of the 3rd century AD Christianity swept through the area and Périgueux became an important religious centre in the Périgord region.

From the mid 9th century Viking raids significantly destabilised the region. in 976 AD the bishop of Périgueux had five defensive fortresses constructed to control access to the principal valleys. La Roque Saint Christophe in the Vézère Valley was one of these. Eighty metres above the Vézère River and stretching along the cliff face for about a kilometre, this is the largest so-called troglodyte site in Europe. The rock-cut fort remained in use for several decades, protecting communities during the many conflicts during the middle ages, including the Hundred Years’ War. Also included on the itinerary is a visit to Château de Beynac, a castle overlooking the Dordogne River and in French hands during the war. Besides its picturesque setting, the castle is known for its 15th century frescoes, including a local version of the Last Supper, in which Saint Martial, the first bishop of Limoges, is the maître d’hôtel.