Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
7 Days
TBC
From Only £959.00
Escape to the delightful Dordogne Valley in the heart of France this summer.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand.
With elegant space-maximising interior design, our Optimum Experience vehicle offers incredible passenger comfort with a selection of fine tours and destinations to choose from. Our Optimum holiday packages include a wide range of excursions, events and admissions, accommodation in a minimum 3* hotel (unless otherwise stated) and, on all our European Holidays, a Skills Representative too! Why not also book our door-to-door service and make your next holiday stress-free?
We journey to Dover before crossing the channel into France and our overnight hotel.
After breakfast, we continue travelling through the heart of France with a visit to Oradour-sur-Glane enroute. Here, in 1944, over six hundred residents of this small farming village were massacred by an SS company in retaliation for French resistance operatives in the area. Oradour-sur-Glane has never been rebuilt and currently stands as a poignant memorial to the cruelty of the Nazi occupation. From here, we continue to our hotel in Rocamadour, where we stay for the next four nights.
Our morning excursion takes us to the stunning pre-historic caves of Gouffre de Padirac, a fascinating labyrinth of galleries with an underground river. Descend into the heart of a lush underground ecosystem on this self-guided tour, both on foot and by boat, through this mystical maze of caves. We later return to Rocamadour this afternoon to explore one of France's top tourist destinations. A popular pilgrimage site for the last thousand years, the town was built on a shrine famous for its healing powers, whilst the bodies of Saint Amadour and the mysterious Black Madonna were found here in 1166. Many churches are well worth a visit, including the Grand Chapel of Notre Dame and the Saint-Sauveur Basilica.<br /><br />Please note: the Gouffre de Padirac caves tour is unsuitable for passengers with restricted mobility.
Enjoy a leisurely start to explore more of Rocamadour this morning. Why not stroll through this breathtaking village, home to cobbled streets, medieval houses and quaint local shops? This afternoon, we continue to medieval Martel, dating back to the twelfth century and known as the 'town of the seven towers'. This picturesque village is home to stunning sights straight out of a fairytale. Later on, 'all aboard' the Truffadou steam train for a one-hour journey on the tracks that originally transported truffles and, today, offers visitors a beautiful trip with views of the valley below.<br /><br />Please note: A steam or diesel train may be in operation today. Seats are not guaranteed on busy services.
After breakfast, we travel to the famous town of Sarlat-la-Caneda on market day. A hive of activity, wander the medieval and renaissance streets around the Cathédrale St-Sacerdos, adorned with stalls peddling local delicacies. This afternoon, we continue to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Beynac-et-Cazenac. Home to a nearby twelfth-century chateau and situated on the banks of the Dordogne, enjoy free time in this riverport before a cruise along the river aboard a traditional 'gabarre', a flat-bottomed boat that has been used for transporting goods since the Middle Ages. With sweeping views across the valley, you'll pass by four of the most prestigious castles of Périgord.
We leave the Dordogne region today and begin our homeward journey with an overnight stay this evening.
We retrace our footsteps back home.
Located in the heart of medieval Rocamadour, this family-run hotel offers an authentic taste of French life. Hotel du Lion d'Or is found within two neighbouring buildings, complete with modern furnishings and views over the Alzou canyon or town below.
Hotel Facilities
Lounge
Restaurant
Lift
WiFi
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
Checking availability...
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