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Villages of the Dordogne

A land of mellow fruitfulness
 
Delight in ever-changing landscapes, wonderful views and delicious regional cuisine as you visit picturesque villages and enjoy the freedom of self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking with your luggage transported as you explore.
Villages of the Dordogne. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Villages of the Dordogne. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Dordogne Valley

The upper reaches of the River Dordogne meander languidly through verdant valleys and ever-changing landscapes. Early morning mists dissipate under the first warming rays of the sun, revealing a rich tapestry of wooded, truffle-scented slopes, rolling farmland and thick orchards, heavy with ripening fruit. Wild plum, sloes and walnut trees edge the old stone ways which link the ancient villages.
Our walk starts in Beaulieu, whose origins date back to the 9th century, and explores the area south of the town, which is dotted with idyllic villages of turreted mansions and half-timbered houses with brown-tiled roofs, among them Autoire, Loubressac and Carennac – some of the most beautiful in France – all of which you visit on this holiday. Our routes are leisurely, with plenty of time for lazy picnics at the numerous viewpoints along the way, and are topped off by dinners of the flavoursome regional cuisine, featuring duck, truffles and wild mushrooms.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on almost any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 9 11 13 16 20 23 26 26 23 19 13 9
    mm 87 79 70 71 80 68 50 67 77 74 89 94
  • Arrival in Beaulieu
    Night 1: at Hotel Les Flots Bleus or Hotel Le Turenne (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks from Beaulieu: 8km or 12km
    Spend at least part of your first day exploring historic Beaulieu, one of the most attractive medieval towns on the Dordogne. The focal point is the famed Romanesque church, which was once part of the town's Benedictine abbey, but the maze of ancient streets lined with 14th and 15th-century houses hold just as much allure.

    Circular walk from Beaulieu: 8km, 3hrs; ascent/descent 290m
    If you have time, you can explore the area upstream of Beaulieu on a short walk that introduces you to the region's landscape of meadows, copses and rolling hills scattered with stone farmhouses.

    Longer option: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 260m
    We also offer a longer option which rises above the River Dordogne, passing through walnut groves and mixed woodland before emerging at an idyllically situated house and château. Return to Beaulieu along the riverbank.
    The Dordogne at Beaulieu
    Circular walk from Beaulieu: 8km
    Longer option: 12km
  • Choice of walks from Beaulieu to Port de Gagnac: 9km or 12km

    Shorter route: 9km, 3.5hrs; ascent 305m/descent 295m
    You cross the Dordogne via a small island to begin this gentle walk southwards towards the Cère, one of its tributaries. Wide, often shady, paths link a succession of tiny rural hamlets, across traditional farmland and through woodland and forest. On the way you gain glorious views back and forth over the river valleys and villages. In the quiet forest, you may spot deer in a clearing. Your destination is the village of Port de Gagnac and the Auberge du Vieux Port. If availability requires, we can also offer the nearby Hostellerie Belle Rive, which too enjoys a peaceful riverside setting.

    Longer route: 12km, 5hrs; ascent 370m/descent 360m
    This slightly longer route is a delightful ramble along country roads and tracks up onto the agricultural uplands. Ascending continually for the first half of the walk, you rise out of woodland to be rewarded with lovely views and a wonderful sense of openess. The second half of the walk then sees you descend through the interesting hamlet of Fontmerle before dropping through the woods to reach the River Cère and Port de Gagnac.
    En route to Port de Gagnac
    Shorter route: 9km
    Longer route: 12km
  • Port de Gagnac to Loubressac: 15km, 6hrs; ascent 420m/descent 350m
    Today’s walk is, in our view, undoubtedly one of the best of the holiday, with sweeping views over splendid countryside. A highlight on the walk is seeing one of France’s most spectacular medieval fortifications, the magnificent Château de Castelnau, on a promontory overlooking four valleys and three rivers. Your path takes you through meadows, between orchards and vineyards, and up steep stony paths through forest. You pass the region’s cheese factory – the Fromagerie de Rocamadour – before reaching Loubressac, a tiny, fortified village perched high on the hillside, with a 15th-century manor house and lovely views back towards the Château de Castelnau. Your hotel for your two nights here is the Relais de Castelnau.
    Château de Castelnau
    Port de Gagnac to Loubressac: 15km
  • Choice of walks from Loubressac: 9.5km or 14.5km

    Gouffre de Padirac option: 14.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent/descent 270m
    Our first option crosses a wild and uninhabited landscape to visit the vast caverns of the Gouffre de Padirac, one of the most impressive cave systems in Europe, where you can take a boat on the underground river. The caves extend for some 20 kilometres, with some caverns 100 metres high. (It is worth booking in advance; pay locally.)

    Circular walk via Autoire: 9.5km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 325m
    Alternatively, enjoy our circular walk along timeless, stone-edged paths and down through a gorge to the picturesque village of Autoire. There are several café-restaurants to offer sustenance before you take the steep route back to Loubressac.
    Gouffre de Padirac on the route around Loubressac © J C Lemee
    Gouffre de Padirac option: 14.5km
    Circular walk via Autoire: 9.5km
  • Loubressac to Martel: 16km, 6hrs; ascent 415m/descent 320m
    The day begins with a short transfer to the delightful village of Carennac. This is another of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’, perched high above the Dordogne, with immaculately restored manor houses and ornate dovecotes typical of the region, clustering round the old Cluniac priory. After you've explored the village, you set off into a quiet landscape, following footpaths and country lanes often bordered by old dry-stone walls. You pass through the pretty riverside village of Floirac to enter the open valley of the River Dordogne, sheltered on both sides by tall limestone cliffs. At the end of the walk you cross the river to reach the lively medieval market town of Martel and your guesthouse.
    Loubressac to Martel: 16km
    Martel
  • Circular walk from Martel: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 305m
    The target of this final walk is Gluges, which you reach via a viewpoint affording a superb view of the River Dordogne. You'll no doubt wish to linger in Gluges, a picturesque village set into overhanging cliffs and with a romantic connection to Edith Piaf. You could even hire a canoe for an hour or two (pay locally) to see the river from a different perspective. When you are ready to return, you head back to Martel along a botanical trail across the limestone plateau that was used by apothecaries of yesteryear. Take time on your return to explore Martel itself, known as ‘the town of seven towers’. Wednesdays and Saturdays are market days.
    Circular walk from Martel: 11.5km
    Gluges
 

Accommodation

You stay in charming hotels and a chambre d'hôtes, all of which offer delicious regional cuisine.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Whichever hotels you stay in, we recommend extra nights in Beaulieu and Martel for more time to explore these pretty towns. It's also worth adding an extra night in Loubressac to enjoy both of our suggested walks.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 19 April 2023 - 05 October 2023 & 19 April 2024 - 05 October 2024

    Start any day except Friday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    19 Apr - 19 May 2023 £1070 £400
    20 May - 28 Sep 2023 £1130 £415
    19 Apr - 19 May 2024 £1180 £440
    20 May - 28 Sep 2024 £1245 £460
    3rd & 4th person discount -£55 to -£61
    Single traveller supplement £55 to £61

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Deduct £38pp in 2023 or £42pp in 2024 if your stay at Hotel Les Flots Bleus falls on a day that its restaurant is closed (Monday throughout the year and Tuesday all year except in Jul/Aug)

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 19 April 2023 - 05 October 2023 & 19 April 2024 - 05 October 2024

    Start any day except Friday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    19 Apr - 19 May 2023 £1360 £400
    20 May - 28 Sep 2023 £1415 £415
    19 Apr - 19 May 2024 £1500 £440
    20 May - 28 Sep 2024 £1560 £460
    3rd & 4th person discount -£115 to -£127
    Single traveller supplement £115 to £127

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Deduct £38pp in 2023 or £42pp in 2024 if your stay at Hotel Les Flots Bleus falls on a day that its restaurant is closed (Monday throughout the year and Tuesday all year except in Jul/Aug)

    Included travel from the UK: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Brive (Intercité), approx. duration 9h30 plus 0h45 taxi transfer. Home, Souillac–Paris (Intercité), Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx duration 9h40 plus 0h40 taxi transfer.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 10 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights: 19 April 2023 - 05 October 2023 & 19 April 2024 - 05 October 2024

    Start any day except Friday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    19 Apr - 19 May 2023 £1245 £400
    20 May - 28 Sep 2023 £1295 £415
    19 Apr - 19 May 2024 £1370 £440
    20 May - 28 Sep 2024 £1425 £460
    3rd & 4th person discount -£210 to -£230
    Single traveller supplement £210 to £235

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    Deduct £38pp in 2023 or £42pp in 2024 if your stay at Hotel Les Flots Bleus falls on a day that its restaurant is closed (Monday throughout the year and Tuesday all year except in Jul/Aug)

    As we suggest you leave your car at the last hotel for the duration of the holiday, we include a transfer from the last hotel to the first hotel to begin your holiday.
    > More information about travelling self-drive

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Auberge du Vieux Port, Port de Gagnac
    Superior: 19 Apr - 05 Oct 2023 £18
    Superior: 19 Apr - 05 Oct 2024 £20
    Le Petit Moulin, Martel
    Junior suite: 19 Apr - 05 Oct 2023 £12
    Junior suite: 19 Apr - 05 Oct 2024 £13

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Les Flots Bleus, Beaulieu (with dinner) Double room Single room
    19 Apr - 05 Oct 2023 £92 £128
    19 Apr - 05 Oct 2024 £101 £141
    Relais de Castelnau, Loubressac (with dinner) Double room Single room
    19 Apr - 05 Oct 2023 £95 £143
    19 Apr - 05 Oct 2024 £105 £158
    Le Petit Moulin, Martel (B&B) Double room Single room
    19 Apr - 05 Oct 2023 £60 £120
    19 Apr - 05 Oct 2024 £66 £132
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Brive, Limoges, Toulouse or Paris CDG
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Aberdeen - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Birmingham - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Limoges Ryanair 
    Bristol - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Bristol - Toulouse easyJet 
    Bristol - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Limoges Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse Ryanair 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse (via Amsterdam) Air France 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Limoges Ryanair 
    Leeds Bradford - Paris CDG jet2 
    Leeds Bradford - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Liverpool - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Gatwick - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Paris CDG British Airways 
    Heathrow - Toulouse British Airways 
    Heathrow - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Heathrow - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Brive Vallée de la Dordogne Ryanair 
    Stansted - Limoges Ryanair 
    Stansted - Toulouse Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Limoges Ryanair 
    Manchester - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Manchester - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Newcastle - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Teesside International - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.
     

    Connecting travel options - flying via Brive Vallée de la Dordogne

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Brive Vallée de la Dordogne airport to hotel (1h) £53-£58 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Brive Vallée de la Dordogne airport (0h40) £27-£30 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Paris CDG

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    RER from CDG airport to Paris Austerlitz (0h45), rail Paris Austerlitz to Brive (4h20), taxi Brive to hotel (0h45) £116-£128 1045
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Brive (1h), rail Brive to Paris Austerlitz (4h20), RER from Paris Austerlitz to CDG airport (0h45) £100-£110 1530

    Connecting travel options - flying via Limoges

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Limoges Benedictins to Brive (1h-1h20), taxi Brive to hotel (0h45) £77-£85 1700 (1530 Sat & Sun)
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Brive (1h), rail Brive to Limoges Benedictins (1h-1h20) £62-£68 1200
    taxi hotel to Brive (1h), rail Brive to Limoges Benedictins (1h-1h20) £62-£68 1200

    Connecting travel options - flying via Toulouse

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Toulouse-Matabiau to Souillac (2h), taxi Souillac to hotel (1h) £74-£81 1500 (1300 Sat)
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Souillac (0h40), rail Souillac to Toulouse-Matabiau (2h) £50-£55 1300
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 6 dinners
    3 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfers on days 3 & 5
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 21 reviews
  • Anon
    23 September 2023

    Beautiful and varied walking through the heart of the French countryside. Excellent food and drink. Inntravel's usual high quality information and support.

  • Helen
    23 September 2023

    An excellent holiday with a good variety of hotels and a choice of itineraries. This region of the upper Dordogne valley is very well chosen for a week's walking. All the hotels are in special places and there are many more along the way. Autoire and Carennac are so beautiful, a step back in time to churches a thousand years old and medieval houses still well used today. The walking notes were very clear. Even in late September it was extremely hot walking but a pleasure to eat outside in the evening as darkness fell. There was a great deal of duck and foie gras on the menus and the markets but somehow, in the whole week, we never saw one living duck!

  • Mr E Brumby
    Australia
    16 September 2023

    Both the Villages of the Dordogne and the Castles, Vines and Forests of Alsace walks exceeded our expectations, in every respect. While some aspects of both walks were somewhat challenging (eg climbing and descending steep hills on gravelly paths), this was offset, almost completely, by being 'in the moment' in the beauty of the forests - and, in Alsace especially, the grand majesty of the views ....

  • anon
    09 September 2023

    Best meals of any Inntravel trip we've taken, and beautiful towns and villages along the way.

  • A Boult
    06 September 2023

    the village of Loubressac and the hotel were delightful and the walk into Autoire a real pleasure.

    We were glad that we wore hiking boots as some of the paths were very uneven.

    This is the walnut capital of France so take the opportunity to buy the delicious walnut oil and if you can find it chestnut oil.

  • Mr P Savage
    Ashbourne
    22 July 2023

    We decided to book this holiday in February following another Inntravel holiday the Hidden Gems of the Canaries which was in La Gomera. The La Gomera holiday walking was quite challenging and we felt that we would like an easier walking holiday in France particularly as in July the temperature was likely to be much higher. We really liked this holiday as the walking is largely on agricultural tracks, the Dordogne is heavily wooded so gave much needed shade during the day. The Dordogne region struck us as being very similar to walking in the Derbyshire White Peak area mixed with the Cotswolds. The guide notes supplied by Inntravel also recommended detours to see local items of interest. On Day 4 for example, we visited the fabulous Gouffre de Padirac cave system and on the walk back we also went to the Angora goat farm. We flew into Brive airport so the transfer times to the hotels were very short. This airport itself is very small and quite charming.

  • Mr R Hines
    Australia
    19 July 2023

    This was a fantastic walk. The walks were well planned and the accommodation excellent. The included evening meals exceeded our expectations. The Dordogne is a beautiful area with classical villages and stunning landscapes. Walking in July was very warm and some of the ascents are quite challenging, especially the apothecary's Chemin Botanique near Martel. Take plenty of water.

  • Dr T Green
    Stockport
    12 June 2023

    Overall, a typically enjoyable Inntravel holiday but with one or two hotel weaknesses which need to be addressed

  • Mrs J Hall
    Malton
    05 June 2023

    There were so many highlights. We couldn't get in to Martel for Sat and Sunday night at the end of our trip because of a wedding /christening /event of some sort so we spent a third night in Loubressac at Relais de Castelnau which we loved, especially the pool after a day walking. Reading the reviews for Martel we were a bit disappointed at only having one night and Monday being their day closing but we decided to treat ourselves to a taxi to Martel on Sat to see the market and take the day off from walking, what a special day it was! The taxi driver (Ambulance Christophe) was great and gave us a bit of a tour around some of the smaller villages on the way at no extra cost 60 euros each way but well worth it. Martel was a totally different town by the time we had walked there on Sunday 5pm and everything was closed by Monday . 

  • Ms G Houser
    USA
    01 June 2023

    The Villages of Dordogne was a delightful walking adventure. We went the first week of June and we were pleased with the weather (high 70s and no rain till evenings) and fewer people in the villages. Each day was a new experience with interesting things to see along the way. Walking through rolling hills, down country lanes or 2 tracks, with beautiful wild flowers and gardens in the villages. The detailed instructions are so much fun to follow. We suggest light weight long pants or convertible pants because there are many sections that are overgrown with high grass with some thorny plants. All the accommodations are full of character, many dated from the 15th century. The dinners are 3 course and consistently fabulous! Be prepared to practice your French or bring Google Translate because hardly anyone spoke English and the menus are all in French. We loved the extra challenge of communicating. We highly recommend this adventure and would love to do it again.

  • Mr B Tarrant
    Cranleigh
    10 May 2023

    Beautiful part of France. Some interesting and varied walks in the region and some nice food. We timed our trip so that we were in the village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne for the second Sunday in May for their annual strawberry festival - thoroughly recommended.

  • Mrs J Mant
    Oxford
    20 April 2023

    Excellent holiday particularly because of the wild flowers in the meadows at this time of year. Characterful hotels, very good food, and good walking.

  • Mrs J Aitchison
    Nottingham
    27 September 2022

    Unmissable Gouffres de Padirac - an especially good choice for a wet day. Favourite day was the walk to Loubressac.

  • Anon
    27 September 2022

    Despite all the problems highlighted above, we did enjoy the holiday overall!

  • Mr B Gofton
    Cupar
    23 September 2022

    This was our first Inntravel holiday since before Covid, and a part of France we knew nothing about. Having travelled most years with Inntravel since 2000, again they did not disappoint, with excellent places to stay and eat and providing us with great insight into the history and attractions of the area. The locals were excellent, as an example whilst sitting in the square in Floirac eating lunch, a lady came up to us having picked some grapes, and gave us some, chatted (in French!) and wished us well. That was typical of the region. We also met some other Inntravel clients, and it was excellent to share stories in order to have ideas of future trips. Once again Inntravel, thanks again

  • Ms Stamoulis
    16 August 2022

    I would thorughly recommend InnTravel - they are professional, the hotels are fantastic, the information is comprehensive, the customer service is exceptional. 

  • BB
    04 June 2022

    I was very pleased that I was able to do this trip alone - but I probably spent too much time on route checking than on admiring the countryside. I have been to this region a number of times.

  • Mrs Denise Schult
    Reading
    25 May 2022

    Our personal highlights were Loubressac and the view from the Hotel Relais De Castelnau. The pool and terrace were lovely areas to relax. The service at this hotel was excellent.

  • Jennie & Nick
    16 May 2022

    Another great Inntravel  holiday, well organised with friendly efficient transfers and hotels that provide a great meal after a day’s walk. Although our weather in May was exceptionally hot the walks were mostly shaded and through wonderful wildflower meadows with the scent of camomile and the uplifting sound of the cuckoo. The caves at Padirac are well worth a visit and quite incredible in their formation, plus nice and cool on a very hot day. On the second 18k walk we decided it was too hot for such a distance (34 degrees) so we asked the taxi driver to drop us at Gluges rather than Carennac for a shorter walk and longer picnic break, this worked well. We enjoyed all of the hotels and the food and service  was consistently good. The gazpacho soup and macaron dessert at le Castalnau were fantastic and we enjoyed the relaxed and friendly atmosphere at La Vaysse where we had really interesting and entertaining discussions with other visitors over dinner at the communal table. INNTRAVEL NOTE: Check in at the Domaine de la Vaysse is strictly after 1600, so customers, if shortening their walk from Loubressac should please always plan to arrive after this time.

  • Ms C Palmer, London
    13 May 2022

    This was our first Inntravel holiday and it was just delightful. The organisation prior to leaving was excellent with a real personal touch as we negotiated around our self-organised first night in Paris, the Brive/Souillac train services, and an extra night at the end. All accommodation was fabulous, in lovely settings, and the walking notes were great. We used these throughout rather than the maps. Little touches like the clear font (really helped when reading in 30 degrees and bright sunlight) and paper that didn't crease easily in sweaty hands were very much appreciated. One or two instructions weren't totally clear, such as when leaving the Gouffre de Padirac, but we found the right paths in the end. (We thoroughly enjoyed that visit to the caves by the way and were glad it was offered as an option within the walk.) The walking overall was a delight and we had the paths and tracks to ourselves. The major factor was the heat - temperatures that week were around 10 degrees hotter than normal for May and we were walking in 28-32 degrees each day. We adapted by choosing the shorter options when offered, but the really tough one was Day 3, 18k from the Vieux Port in Gagnac to Loubressac. The notes were quite right that it's strenuous but rewarding and the views were stunning. We really felt it by the end, though, and the final ascent to Loubressac through the forest was slow. Our reward was G&Ts on the wonderful terrace at the Relais de Castelnau, looking out towards the Chateau de Castelnau in the distance and the walk just done. As someone else said in a review, we too spent more time in Carennac on Day 5, which was over 30 degrees, and got a taxi to Gluges to pick up the walk to Martel and the Domaine from there. It worked really well as an adaptation to conditions. We loved the Chemin Botanique from Gluges on the final day. The amazing weather has given a very dreamlike feel to the holiday in hindsight. Food was fabulous throughout, particularly for me. The Relais was a highlight. Slightly more hit and miss for my vegetarian husband but we appreciated all efforts to accommodate this. We highly recomend Les Voyageurs brasserie restaurant near the Flots Bleus in beautiful Beaulieu on the first evening - unlike the rather upmarket-looking places mentioned in the notes, this was very reasonable with delicious pizzas and salads in the lively market square and very friendly staff. The Domaine de la Vaysse was a real treat with the delightfully welcoming Pascale and Thierry and we all enjoyed the 7pm aperitifs and relaxed communal meals with fractured French and English as appropriate! I was grateful for a comment in an earlier review which mentioned too much salami in the picnics - I hate any salami so asked for veggie picnics along with my husband. This worked really well and we had some tasty cheese with baguettes, particularly from the Flots Bleus. 

    Wonderful holiday which we highly recommend. Thank you. 

  • Mr M Lambert
    Godalming
    10 September 2021

    We really liked the variety of hotel experiences, the great scenery along the route and the ability to adapt the length of walks to suit personal preferences. For the stay at Domaine de la Vaysse, do be prepared to join in the group conversation (preferably in French!) - it's a fun part of the experience but if you want a more solitary experience it may not be for you!
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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