Travel Around The Clock

About twenty kilometers from Brive-la-Gaillarde , on the border between Limousin and Quercy, Collonges-la-Rouge offers an original and unusual spectacle, both for the splendor of its buildings in purple sandstone, against the contrasting green of the valley and for the wealth of its heritage. Collonges-la-Rouge Mornings are probably the best time to visit it; sitting for a moment on the terrace of a café, listening to the village gradually awakening and admiring the sunlight that magnifies this architectural gem. Collonges-la-Rouge The village has very ancient origins. Indeed, the monks of the Charroux abbey in Poitou founded a priory here in the 8th century following a donation from Count Roger de Limoges. The priory was integrated by the Viscount de Turenne in 844 that attracted, under his protection, a population of peasants, artisans and traders. Around its buildings, protected by a fence, the community thrived on pilgrims, heading to Compostela via Rocamadour, as a source of incom...

With hundreds of medieval villages and 1,001 elegant castles , the Dordogne Valley is a must-see French department and the perfect destination for a romantic getaway in the French countryside. The Dordogne River The pretty honey-coloured stone buildings, the medieval or Renaissance windows and the typical lauze roofs that characterise the local architecture have earned some of these villages the label of Most Beautiful Villages in France. So, if you are planning a visit to this lovely region and are preparing a list of things not to miss, look no further, as we have selected the 10 most beautiful villages in the Dordogne, for you. The list includes some of the most popular ones that you will probably find in every major guide, and some little gems that are a little off the tourist path, but no less fascinating! SARLAT Sarlat, capital of the Perigord Noir , is one of the most attractive and renowned town in France. The charming city centre, dating back from Medieval and Renaissance time...

Beynac In the heart of the Périgord Noir, in the Dordogne Valley, Beynac-et-Cazenac is one of the “most beautiful villages in France”.  Built on limestone cliffs, it has a unique character, surely more defensive than La Roque Gageac but more open than Domme , with its castle clinging to the cliff and overlooking the entire valley.  Beynac The “magic trio” of Beynac, namely the river, the village and the castle, is somewhat a trademark, which contributes to the reputation of this charming village of just over 500 inhabitants. Beynac The small medieval village of Beynac-et-Cazenac enchants the visitors with its old cobbled streets and squares, its stately chapel which has become the Church of Sainte Marie, its Calvary overlooking the Dordogne and its views of exceptional beauty. Beynac Beynac Beynac Beynac Beynac Walking through the narrow and steep alleys, amidst houses with lauze roofs and blond facades, you can reach the top of the village, from where the imposing Beynac cas...

Domme is one of the prettiest villages in France . Perched on a breathtakingly high cliff overlooking the Dordogne , this Medieval “bastide” or fortified village, is a perfect combination of architectural, natural and gastronomic heritage, typical of the Périgord Noir .  Domme It was the French king Philippe III , called the Bold, who had the idea to found Domme in 1283, in order to gain a strategic position over the Dordogne valley and to thwart the English inclinations.  Endowed with important privileges (it had for example its own currency), Domme played a major role during the Franco-English wars and was the seat of the Sénéchaussée of Périgord Quercy since the 14th century. Still very prosperous, going through the troubles of the reform, Domme resisted the Huguenots and it was not until 1588 that the bastide fell into the hands of Geoffroi de Vivans. The latter will not leave it, driven out by the Catholics, until 1592! Unusually for a bastide town, the village reta...

Saint-Emilion is the ideal destination for a weekend break in the countryside and a must stop on a road trip through France. Saint-Emilion Saint-Emilion is known all over the world for its wines and its beautiful chateaux surrounded by vineyards, but very few people know that this village has a rich history of 2000 years. One of the testimonies of this historical baggage is underground, in the 200 Km of galleries that run under the village; the rest is above, in the many religious buildings and monuments to visit .  The village was founded in the 8th century by a Breton monk, Emilian. Since 1999, Saint Emilion and the 8 municipalities within its jurisdiction have been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site .  Here, the omnipresent limestone provides an exceptional soil for the vines. And the same limestone was used to build the elegant medieval city and many buildings in Bordeaux. As soon as you enter this small town, you will come across the ancient ruins of a former Dominic...

Winding pebbled alleys, little squares framed by beautifully preserved medieval buildings and a long series of hidden corners... You are in Sarlat, centre of the Perigord Noir and quintessential french village. Sarlat-la-Caneda Walking through the streets, you'll be astonished by the details: the ancient doors,  the Reinassance windows, the typical honeyed stones, the peculiar 'lauze' roofs... The old artisans ateliers may have been replaced by souvenirs shops and restaurants, but the atmosphere is still that of the historical films; it feels like descending into Middle Ages. Sarlat-la-Caneda To the south east of the city, the Cathedral Saint Sacerdos shows a mix of architectural styles including Roman and Gothic, signs of the several renovations over the centuries. Just above the cathedral, is the ancient abbey cemetery, called `Jardin des Enfeus` spotted with several sarcophagus and, above it, there is an unusual bullet shaped building called the Lanterne...