Delightful Gems of the Dordogne

Staying in the heart of Rocamadour, a much-loved pilgrimage site, explore and embrace the culture of western France with a collection of must-see excursions, including the stunning Gouffre de Padirac caves.

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New for 2025 - Escape to the delightful Dordogne Valley in the heart of France this summer. Staying in the heart of Rocamadour, a much-loved pilgrimage site, explore and embrace the culture of western France with a collection of must-see excursions, including the stunning Gouffre de Padirac caves.

INCLUDES

Return luxury coach travel

Return ferry crossings

Escorted by a Skills Representative

2 nights bed & breakfast enroute

4 nights half board

Excursions to Oradour-sur-Glane, Martel, Sarlat-la-Caneda & Beynac-et-Cazenac

Admission to the Gouffre de Padirac caves

Journeys on the Martel Truffadou train & a Dordogne river cruise

Free time in Rocamadour

Day 1

We journey to Dover before crossing the channel into France and our overnight hotel.

Day 2

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.

B, D

Day 3

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.

Please note: the Gouffre de Padirac caves tour is unsuitable for passengers with restricted mobility.

B, D

Day 4

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.

B, D

Day 5

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.

B, D

Day 6

We leave the Dordogne region today and begin our homeward journey with an overnight stay this evening.

B, D

Day 7

We retrace our footsteps back home.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Hotel du Lion d'Or 2*, Rocamadour, France

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

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The map below can be used to check the price of a home pick-up. The map shows the price bands for each area we service. To check the price from your address either click your street on the map or enter your postcode or city/town and click the 'Check Price' button.

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Home Pick-up Pricing Key:

£90.00

£75.00

£45.00

£40.00

£30.00

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Alfreton	Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT
Arnold	High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE
Beeston	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
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	Bus Stop, Walkden Street Mansfield, NG18 1QN
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