Sarlat
Certainly one of the most renowned and visited towns in France. It is also one of the most attractive within the Périgord Noir.
Regularly visited by tourists all year, there are large markets each Wednesday and Saturday with a wide range of goods available both on the stalls and within the shops and boutiques that line the side streets.
The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times is a pleasure to visit, especially during the quieter times in Spring and Autumn.
Gardens
Two of the most attractive gardens are to be found within a short drive.
The overhanging gardens of Marqueyssac, located between La Roque Gageac and Beynac, sit majestically above the Dordogne river. Move through the artistic display of Buxus topiary then into the varied plots of trees and shrubs that grow either freely or against rock faces. These broaden out into the woodlands, carpeted with seasonal wild flowers.
Les Jardins du Manoir d’Eyrignac, close to Sarlat, contain fine examples of the Art of Topiary, with a unique collection of green sculptures. Seven gardens set within ten hectares, that feature botanical paths, line several kilometres of the 200 hectare estate.
Domme
The 13th century bastide town of Domme has breath-taking views over the Dordogne. The Promenade des Falaises offers from its very start the spectacle of the river below, meandering through a patchwork of fields and parcels of woodland. Within its old fortified walls, Dommes streets are lined with everything for the visitor (regional crafts, gifts and artisanal jewellery).
The Dordogne River
Visiting the magnificent Dordogne. Whether its a picnic by the shaded banks, a leisurely sail on a ‘Gabarre’ or paddling downstream by canoe or kayak, the Dordogne river has a magnetism for everyone discovering its beauty and splendour. From its upper valley, it crashes through gorges, fast flowing under high bridges, then begins to calm into wide, dammed lakes. Eventually it broadens and meanders alongside farmlands, pastures and orchards that line its 500 kilometre trail.
