Sarlat the geographical centre of Périgord-Quercy, is by far the most important tourist site in the region Over a million visitors discover or re discover this medieval jewel every year. This town of 10,000 inhabitants today occupies top spot in terms of tourists and culture. Although this is basically a cultural town, industry is also [...]
In 1489, François de Caumont, Lord of Castelnaud, a fortress a little further along the valley, built the Milandes castle, at his wife, Claude De Cardaillac’s request as she was depressed by the austere atmosphere of the Castelnaud castle. Les Milandes, or Mirandes as it used to be pronounced referring to its site which has [...]
The attractive village of St Cyprien is full of history: witness the narrow streets winding up to the 12th-century belltower-keep, part of the abbey church with its famed (and officially listed) organ-chest. The town’s history is tied into that of the abbey. Around 620 AD, a hermit named Cyprien settled in a cave that overlooked [...]
Belves is a lovely and lively medieval town, it stands on a rocky spur above the Nauze valley on the skirts of the Bessede forest with a typical bastide layout and centre, and a preserved 15th century covered market hall. The town is well worth a visit. History Two hundred and fifty years BC it [...]
On the left bank of the Beune River, a group of caves are located at the opening of the small Combarelles Valley. The entrance to the Les Combarelles Caves is located on the right side of the departmental road 47, 2 kilometers after the village of Les Eyzies in the direction of Sarlat. The environment [...]
La Roque Gageac, a magnificent village officially classified as one of the most beautiful in France. Tucked away in a stunning position on the north bank of the Dordogne River, and backed by steep cliffs, with little to suggest that much has changed there in the last 300 years, La Roque Gageac is truly the [...]
Montignac’s history is linked with the “History of Mankind” as a matter of fact, Montignac was settled as of the paleolithic area, then it was colonized by the Romans as testified by the Villa des Olivoux in Chambon and Brenac. From this rich period, Montignac has inherited the world famous cave of LASCAUX, discovered in [...]
Tucked away in the Beune Valley a few kilometres from Les Eyzies, the Cap Blanc Prehistoric Centre reveals another aspect of Prehistoric Art Sculpture. Over 15 000 years ago, Prehistoric hunters carved horses, bison and reindeer, some of which are over two metres long, straight into the Limestone cliffs. Cap Blanc, which was discovered in [...]
Prehistory at Commarque The Beune Valley has been occupied for a very long time. Around Commarque, prehistoric man has left numerous traces of his passage. Not far from the site at Commarque, Paleolithic man left two female statuettes known as the Venus of Sireuil and the Venus of Laussel. On the other side of the [...]
L’abri Pataud is the only prehistoric site in the Dordogne to have been converted into a museum. It is situated 15 metres above the river Vézère at the foot of an imposing cliff which dominates the village of les Eyzies de Tayac. Not far away to the north is the famous Cro Magnon shelter whose [...]
Bergerac is found on the northern bank of the Dordogne River, in the western part of the Dordogne department. It is among the largest towns in the region . The highlight of a trip to Bergerac is the old town – the area immediately north of the river, signposted ‘vieille ville’. This part of the [...]
Périgueux , city (2005 pop. 40,848), capital of Dordogne dept., SW France Founded more than 2,000 years ago, Périgueux, préfecture or capital city of the Dordogne, is a gracious blend of ancient and modern. The history of the city of Périgueux began when four Celtic tribes merged to become the Petrucores. They settled on the [...]
In and around the town of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac are a series of prehistoric rock dwellings, the caves include some of the mostsignificant archaeological finds of the Upper Paleolithic (from about 40,000 to 10,000 years ago) and Middle Paleolithic (200,000 to 40,000 years ago) periods;they are especially noted for their extensive wall drawings. Situated in the [...]
This site is sponsored by B&B Ferme de Tayac, voted nicest B&B in the Vezere Valley 3 years running.
Ferme de Tayac, a lovely B&B in a 12th century former Farmhouse / Monastery situated in Tayac, a quaint little village in the heart of the Vezere Valley and only 5 minutes walk from Les Eyzies, the Prehistoric Capital of the World. The rooms are all en suite, spacious and comfy, all with views and in former Monks quarters and oozing history. Built up against solid rock, which means that both downstairs and upstairs are on ground level, walls of solid rock, ancient oak beam structures, fortified walls 3 feet thick, a massive and original wine press in the huge dining room, monk's carvings in the stone walls, and lots and lots more.
For more info please visit their official web site : www.fermedetayac.com
