
Château de Beynac © Luc Viatour
The Dordogne and the neighbouring Lot Valley is one of the most
beautiful regions in France, a magnetic holiday destination for
food lovers and nature enthusiasts. The area has remained fairly
untouched by 20th century development and tourism and the rural way
of life continues very much as it has for centuries. Local farmers
seem happy to live a fairly subsistence lifestyle, and village
markets continue to flourish long after they have disappeared from
the high streets of other European countries. This is due, no
doubt, to the local taste for fresh ingredients and their disregard
for what are regarded as draconian EU health and safety laws.
Dordogne is home to over 1,500 castles as well as 150
prehistoric sites, and thus has a huge draw for history
enthusiasts. There is a popular museum of medieval warfare at the
Chateau de Castelnaud in Castelnaud-La Chapelle, and the stone
villages of Rocamadour, Domme and La Roque Gageac are akin to
stepping into a time machine.
Although medieval villages and towns such as Conques, Cahors and
Montauban are starting to be discovered by tourists looking for a
more authentic France, they have managed to retain their old-world
charm. Visitors don't come here for a busy nightlife, or indeed for
the weather (which can be wet even in summer), but are drawn to the
stunning countryside, pâté, truffles, succulent
Limousin veal and fine wine.
Attractions

Pont Valentré, Cahors © Globe Media
Cahors
Situated 55 miles (89km) north of Toulouse in a loop of the Lot
River, the ancient city of Cahors was inhabited long before the
Romans arrived, and in medieval times was a thriving university
town. Across the river is the town's signature piece,...
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Conques © Globe Media
Conques
Conques occupies a spectacular position on the flanks of the
steep, densely wooded gorge of the little River Dourdou, a
tributary of the Lot, and is one of the great villages of southwest
France. The site was chosen as a retreat by a...
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Cro-Magnon Skeleton © 120
Les Eyzies
In 1868 prehistoric skeletons were discovered in the
Vézère valley, and the area was found to be one of
the richest in the world in terms of ancient sites and deposits.
The small market town of Les Eyzies suddenly became the base for
exploring...
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Montauban arcade © Ceridwen
Montauban
Montauban lies on the banks of the River Tarn, 50 miles (80km)
north of Toulouse and is one of the most ancient cities in
southwest France. Its origins date from 1144 when the count of
Toulouse decided to create a
bastide here as...
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Rocamadour © Globe Media
Rocamadour
Tiered precariously halfway up a cliffside above a small river,
Rocamadour has one of the unique settings of any town in Europe.
The town is famed for being the site where the body of St Amadour
(who is believed to be Zacchaeus of...
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