THE DORDOGNE VALLEY : GREAT TOURIST SITES IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES

CARENNAC, LOT

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The ravishing Dordogne Valley, bursting with natural wonders, never fails to enchant travellers. Now it’s your turn to follow the Dordogne Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Midi-Pyrenees region. Follow its twists and turns, admiring the many treasures dotting its banks on your way from Sousceyrac to Souillac in the Lot Department.

The cool, fast-flowing waters of the Dordogne wind along a stunning 60 kilometre route in the north of the Lot Department. Start your journey in Sousceyrac, a stately village in the shadow of the Massif Central, and then head down towards Souillac at the gateway to Périgord. This will take you right into the heart of the Dordogne Valley, a Land of Art and History, where you will meet the men and women who bring the valley to life.

After Sousceyrac, explore the narrow streets of Bretenoux, a pretty 13th century bastide town. The magnificent Castelnau Castle is worth making a small detour away from the Dordogne, as is Saint-Céré, with its opulent historical town centre dominated by the Saint-Laurent-les-Tours Castrum.

Return to the Dordogne to enjoy the numerous gems along its course: Carennac, a beautiful village clustered around a Cluniac priory; Montvalent and its guard tower watching over the cliffs on the right bank of the river; Gluges huddling beneath its cliff, with its church where Edith Piaf used to come to pray; Creysse with its Romanesque church and its small port on the Dordogne River and Belcastel Castle.

You will soon reach the impressive Lacave Caves and Martel, the "City of Seven Towers", full of medieval houses built by well-to-do merchants. Then comes Souillac, which was once the hub of the Dordogne River trade. Its remarkable heritage is commemorated by monuments such as the splendid Romanesque triple-domed Abbey Church.

Your route will take you round river bends set against towering cliffs, past small sandy islands that are home to willows and reeds, quiet beaches and walnut and plum orchards, all in the stunningly preserved natural setting of the Dordogne Valley. The greens and blues are beautifully offset by the brown hues of the old tiles and the amber patina of villages that are the distinctive hallmark the Dordogne Valley.

This naturally bountiful valley has been attracting settlers since the Middle Ages, becoming a focal point for trade, talented builders, and the rivalries of warlords and monastic powers.

The Dordogne Valley has a distinct personality, unique scenery and an exceptional heritage. Savour its beauty by following its high cliff-top roads, with their panoramic views, and its low winding roads running along the cool, shady riverbanks. Or choose to experience it afloat, by taking a canoe down the river, if only just to admire La Treyne Castle, on its rocky outcrop.