Dordogne Encounters

Days 1 and 2. Vezere

Travel to Les Eyzies, the 'Capital of Pre-History', nestled beneath towering white cliffs, beside the willow-hung banks of the Vezere. Spend time visiting the many caves bursting with artefacts and paintings from ancient times.

Days 3 to 5. Chateaux and flowers

Walk through pleasant woodland and climb undulating hills following one of France's famed Grand Randonees to the ruined Chateau of Commarque looming over the marshy valley, a naturalist's paradise. Wild orchids, irises and maize fields line these rural routes and the walking is remarkably peaceful for such a popular area. Enjoy glorious views of the fortress of Beynac, overlooking the Dordogne river, and cross the headland to the famous fortified 'Bastide' town of Domme.

Days 6 to 8. Sarlat

Passing the fairytale Chateau de Montfort continue through timeless villages to the bustling Mediaeval town of Sarlat. The town centre is unequalled for its Renaissance buildings and honey-coloured stone. Excellent markets, specialist regional shops and enticing narrow alleyways simply demand to be explored! For those on the 14 day itinerary you will transfer to Souillac in the evening of Day 7 and continue walking to St Sozy the next day. For those on the one week itinerary you will stay a further night in Sarlat and depart for the UK on Day 8.

Days 9 to 11. Rocamadour

Follow the tranquil Dordogne river past elegant chateaux, goose farms and troglodytic caves. Climb up to Rocamadour, spectacularly sited on the side of a steep rocky gorge, a staging post on the pilgrim's route to Santiago de Compostela. The church here even houses an ancient statue of the 'Black Madonna'. The views from the glorious limestone ridge are stunning and your route can be clearly viewed, across the stony plateau of Quercy to the vast chasm at Padirac - the home of the devil. Some free time allows you to take a boat trip underground to a natural hall filled with stalactites and then ascend the escarpment, criss-crossed with crumbling dry stone walls, past megaliths and dolmen for a panorama over the entire Dordogne valley.

Days 12 to 14. Autoirs to St Cere

Continue through this wonderfully undisturbed countryside, past dramatic waterfalls and rocky mediaeval posts to the charming village of Autoirs, nestling in its gorge. Explore further picturesque Renaissance chateaux and grottos before descending to the old market town of St Cere. A delightfully uncommercial town, with swans gliding on the river and red-tiled mansard roofs, it is the perfect place to contentedly finish your walk.