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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 – each evening.
 

Book with confidence

At present, we are only accepting bookings for France for travel from 15 September onwards. Our flexible booking arrangements, commitment to safety and financial protection mean that you can book with confidence, despite the current travel restrictions in place.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Check the destination entry requirements >

If you have a holiday booking with us already, we will contact you before your balance is due (currently 4 weeks before departure) to advise whether or not the holiday can go ahead.
 
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.
  • Free day in Beaulieu
    Spend 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: 7.5km, 2.5hrs
    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
    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
  • Choice of walks from Beaulieu to Port de Gagnac: 9.5km or 12km

    Shorter route: 9.5km, 3hrs
    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, 4hrs
    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
  • Port de Gagnac to Loubressac: 18.5km, 6hrs
    Today’s walk is more strenuous – but 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.
    Medieval Château de Castelnau on the route to Loubressac from Port de Gagnac
  • Choice of walks from Loubressac: 9.5km or 14km

    Gouffre de Padirac option: 14km, 4hrs
    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, 3.5hrs
    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
  • Choice of walks from Loubressac to La Vaysse: 18km or 20km

    Carennac to La Vaysse: 18km, 5.5hrs
    There are two options to reach your next base, both of which begin 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. The first option takes you along cobbled mule tracks, footpaths and country lanes through a quiet landscape, often bordered by old dry-stone walls, to Gluges, where you can visit a Middle Age fortress built into a cave. From Gluges it's a short walk to reach the tranquil setting of Le Domaine de la Vaysse, where you stay two nights.

    Longer option via Floirac: 20km, 6.5hrs
    Alternatively, choose a slightly longer route which first visits the pretty riverside village of Floirac, before passing Gluges on your way to the guesthouse.

     
    Village of Gluges on the route from Loubressac to Domaine de La Vaysse
  • Free day in La Vaysse
    For a restful final day, you could relax by the swimming pool at Le Domaine de la Vaysse, take another stroll into the countryside along the old apothecary’s path, or even hire canoes from nearby Gluges (5km away) and enjoy a leisurely paddle down the river.

    Circular walk from La Vaysse: 13.5km, 4.5hrs
    Alternatively, we provide notes for a circuit northwards to pretty Martel, known as ‘the town of seven towers’ and named after Charles Martel, one of the early and greatest Frankish kings of France, and the grandfather of Emperor Charlemagne. The excellent Wednesday and Saturday markets here are well worth exploring.
    Visit the pretty town of Martel on the route around Domaine de la Vaysse
 

Accommodation

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

Occasionally, due to availability, we may offer an alternative hotel, as shown below. You will be informed of any change to the usual hotel (along with any price implication) prior to us confirming your holiday to you.

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

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: 07 April 2021 - 06 October 2021 & 05 April 2022 - 06 October 2022

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

    Starting Price Single room
    7 Apr - 21 May 2021 £930 £240
    22 May - 26 Jun 2021 £965 £245
    27 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £995 £250
    29 Aug - 29 Sep 2021 £965 £245
    5 Apr - 21 May 2022 £980 £255
    22 May - 26 Jun 2022 £1020 £260
    27 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £1045 £265
    29 Aug - 29 Sep 2022 £1020 £260
    3rd & 4th person discount -£55
    Single traveller supplement £55

    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 £32pp in 2021, £33pp in 2022 if your stay at Hotel Les Flots Bleus falls on a Monday (hotel restaurant closed) 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: 07 April 2021 - 06 October 2021 & 05 April 2022 - 06 October 2022

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

    Starting Price Single room
    7 Apr - 21 May 2021 £1195 £240
    22 May - 26 Jun 2021 £1245 £245
    27 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £1275 £250
    29 Aug - 29 Sep 2021 £1245 £245
    5 Apr - 21 May 2022 £1245 £255
    22 May - 26 Jun 2022 £1295 £260
    27 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £1340 £265
    29 Aug - 29 Sep 2022 £1295 £260
    3rd & 4th person discount -£115 to -£120
    Single traveller supplement £115 to £120

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

    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

    Deduct £32pp in 2021, £33pp in 2022 if your stay at Hotel Les Flots Bleus falls on a Monday (hotel restaurant closed) except in Jul/Aug

    If you book your holiday less than 6 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: 07 April 2021 - 06 October 2021 & 05 April 2022 - 06 October 2022

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

    Starting Price Single room
    7 Apr - 21 May 2021 £1040 £240
    22 May - 26 Jun 2021 £1075 £245
    27 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £1095 £250
    29 Aug - 29 Sep 2021 £1075 £245
    5 Apr - 21 May 2022 £1095 £255
    22 May - 26 Jun 2022 £1130 £260
    27 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £1150 £265
    29 Aug - 29 Sep 2022 £1130 £260
    3rd & 4th person discount -£150 to -£155
    Single traveller supplement £150 to £155

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return ferry crossing between Dover and Calais with P&O Ferries for your party and one car.

    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

    Deduct £32pp in 2021, £33pp in 2022 if your stay at Hotel Les Flots Bleus falls on a Monday (hotel restaurant closed) except in Jul/Aug

    A supplement of £35 per car per single journey applies for outward travel on 26-28 March & 2-4 April 2021, and for homeward travel on 4-5 & 10-11 April 2021. A supplement of £56 per car per single journey applies outward on Fridays & Saturdays 28-29 May & 9 July-14 August 2021 and homeward on Saturdays & Sundays 5-6 June & 17 July-29 August 2021. Supplements also apply at peak times in 2022; please contact us for details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Auberge du Vieux Port, Port de Gagnac
    Suite: 07 Apr - 06 Oct 2021 £20
    Suite: 05 Apr - 06 Oct 2022 £20
    Superior: 07 Apr - 06 Oct 2021 £12
    Superior: 05 Apr - 06 Oct 2022 £12

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

    Hotel Les Flots Bleus, Beaulieu (with dinner) Double room Single room
    07 Apr - 06 Oct 2021 £96 £136
    05 Apr - 06 Oct 2022 £100 £142
    Relais de Castelnau, Loubressac (with dinner) Double room Single room
    07 Apr - 30 Jun 2021 £90 £135
    01 Jul - 31 Aug 2021 £100 £145
    01 Sep - 06 Oct 2021 £90 £135
    05 Apr - 30 Jun 2022 £95 £142
    01 Jul - 31 Aug 2022 £105 £152
    01 Sep - 06 Oct 2022 £95 £142
    Le Domaine de la Vaysse, La Vaysse (with dinner) Double room Single room
    07 Apr - 06 Oct 2021 £88 £102
    05 Apr - 06 Oct 2022 £92 £108
  • 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 
    Birmingham - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Limoges Ryanair 
    Bristol - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Bristol - Toulouse easyJet 
    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 
    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 except those operated by Ryanair. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service (£60 for India and Nepal). 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.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Brive

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Brive Vallée de la Dordogne airport to hotel (1h) £52 in 2021, £55 in 2022 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Brive Vallée de la Dordogne airport (0h40) £26 in 2021, £28 in 2022 flexible

    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) £74 in 2021, £78 in 2022 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Brive (1h), rail Brive to Limoges Benedictins (1h-1h20) £60 in 2021, £63 in 2022 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) £72 in 2021, £76 in 2022 1500
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Souillac (0h40), rail Souillac to Toulouse-Matabiau (2h) £50 in 2021, £53 in 2022 1300

    Connecting travel options - flying via Paris

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    RER CDG airport to Paris Austerlitz (0h45), rail Paris Austerlitz to Brive (4h20), taxi Brive to hotel (0h45) £100 in 2021, £105 in 2022 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) £88 in 2021, £93 in 2022 1530
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    3 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • transfer on day 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 17 reviews
  • anon
    23 September 2019

    We thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Everything went smoothly. The notes were excellent and we found the time guides for sections of the walks matched our pace perfectly. The countryside was varied in its beauty and offered a good mix of easy walking and challenging ascents and descents in some places. We recommend walking poles to assist with slippery surfaces and steep sections. Nothing was too difficult and the notes clearly indicate where care needs to be taken.

  • Ms J Walters-Page
    Meopham
    17 September 2019

    We enjoyed meeting other walkers from Australia and America. The guest house, Domaine de la Vaysse, was a wonderful experience. The owners couldn’t have been more welcoming and we thoroughly enjoyed their company and home cooked food.

  • Ms C Stevens
    Canada
    17 September 2019

    This was our fifth Inntravel holiday. As with our other walking vacations, we thoroughly enjoyed it. This area of France is lovely and the walking was varied and interesting. The towns and villages we visited were charming and the history surrounding each one was fascinating. The weather was not very cooperative during our week, but this did not diminish our enjoyment of this beautiful region. We highly recommend the Gouffre de Padirac trip out of Loubressac. It is important to book your tickets online before leaving for the walk. It is quite busy but definitely worth the time. We also did the other day trip out of Loubressac and enjoyed walking down into the gorge. Climbing back up was not as fun, but the views were breathtaking. The set lunch special at the restaurant recommended in the notes was very good.

    The food at every location was memorable. Do not miss the desserts at Hotel Les Flots Bleus. They were amazing works of art and were delicious. We also particularly enjoyed the meals at Relais de Castelnau. The view from the dining room is spectacular, the service was excellent and the food was top notch. The communal table at Domaine de la Vaysse was a lot of fun and provided the chance to socialize with our fellow walkers.

    Some of the walking days were long but we enjoyed them all and would highly recommend this holiday.

  • anon
    10 September 2019

    The holiday was managed immaculately from beginning to end, quick to answer questions and easy to contact. The hotels were all excellent especially regarding the food and all very different. To have a swimming pool at both the Relais de Castelnau and Domaine de la Vaysse was a real treat. The walks were easy to follow once we got used to the really comprehensive descriptions. Some way signs were not always easy to see as they had faded or even on rare occaisions, missing as it was coming out of the Padariac Caves. It was unusually hot (33 degrees) so we adapted our walks to try to stop walking from mid afternoon onwards. For example, after our visit to the caves we walked straight back on the same route rather than continue on the route circuit. On day 5 we chose to stay for the morning in Carennac and explored this lovely town spending maybe 3 hours there. It has the most incredible Cloisters attached to the Abbey and we enjoyed our picnic lunch down by the river. We then asked the Tourist Info Office to arrange a taxi to take us on to The Domaine de la Vaysse. The owners were quite amused to see us arrive by taxi! However, our change of plan enabled us to explore Carennac which we would not have been able to do if we wanted to complete the walk as it would have meant walking into the hot afternoon. It suited us mixing the walks with exploring the lovely towns and villages.

     

  • Mrs P Bell
    Guildford
    10 September 2019

    We've just returned from a fabulous trip to France with Inntravel and will definitely book with them again.

    Best bits: varied hotels but all good, excellent dinners, glorious countryside (good routes), very well organised all the way from start to finish.

    Not so good: French picnics not always what we'd choose (too much salami!)

  • Dr S Magarian
    USA
    29 August 2019

    The villages and countryside were a total delight. We could have never put the walking route together on our own and it was spot on precise and accurate but needed enough interpretation on our part with use of map and Gaia maps. It was fun to find our way. The countryside was dreamy. The trails were devoid of people. The few locals we encountered were warm and welcoming. We totally recommend this trip and will do more.

  • Bob Delaney
    23 May 2019

    Wildflower meadows loud with grasshoppers; buzzards and kites and ancient buildings: dolmen, tumble down barns and red cows. The food at all the hotels was wonderful and I particularly recommend Le Petit Moulin restaurant for lunch in Martel where there is a small market on Saturdays. You could not hope for a warmer welcome at Domaine de la Vaysse.

  • Mrs D Colo Nemetz
    USA
    16 May 2019

    Lovely week walking through the beautiful villages of the Dordogne. Even though the weather was not co-operating, we enjoyed ourselves! The walking notes were excellent as was the food and hospitality. Highly recommend this trip and Inntravel. 

     

  • Mr J Maddicott
    Kidlington
    15 May 2019

    All the walks were excellent. We particularly enjoyed the tourist Chemin de Fer at Martel - a last-day bonus! Another bonus was hearing the cuckoo every walking day. One point about Les Flots Bleu. When we arrived we found that we were expected on the Thursday (16 May), not the Wednesday, for which Inntravel had booked us. Consternation! The problem was eventually resolved and we were given a small attic room. This was clearly the Hotel's fault and not Inntravel's. This hotel seems generally rather disorganised and we didn't much care for the food. In general we thoroughly enjoyed the walk - our thirteenth with Inntravel!

  • Anon Australia
    07 May 2019

    Our Dordogne walk would have to rate as one of the best, if not the best, of the various holidays we've had over the years. Beautiful weather, gorgeous villages, excellent walking notes. Loved it!

  • Mr DR Clements
    Hinton St. George
    30 April 2019

    This was our ninth Inntravel holiday and perhaps the best yet overall. The walking was very good - the longer routes were just about the right challenge for our group. The scenery was outstanding, the walks well-constructed with lots of flowers along the way, the villages visited were extraordinarily beautiful and the food was probably the best we have encountered on our Inntavel holidays. We would make special mention of the incredible warmth of the welcome from Pascale and Thierry at Domaine de la Vaysse. They joined us for supper the first night and we had some great conversation - they appreciated our efforts to converse in French for the whole evening! They are truly a couple who go the extra mile to make the stay memorable.

  • Anon
    30 April 2019

    Our highlights on this holiday were the first stay in Beaulieu-sur Dordogne at l'Hotel les Flots Bleus, the Chateau de Castelnau, the walk to Autoire and the final stay at La Vaysse. Autoire was probably the most amazing of the villages, and coupled with the dramatic descent and even more dramatic ascent by the waterfall, was the best part of the whole tour. We would certainly recommend the longer of the two options between Carennac and La Vaysse. 

  • Mrs J Elliott
    Newton Abbot
    21 September 2018

    This is a region of France that we had not previously explored and the holiday was a perfect way of experiencing this beautiful and historic area. So many highlights, but special mention of the food at Les Flots Bleus, as well as the location on the river; the views from Relais de Castelnau plus the pool; the hospitality and convivial atmosphere at La Vaysse, along with their delightful pool and very individual rooms. We stayed three nights at these hotels and really enjoyed being able to get to know each area a little better.

    We also enjoyed the food and hospitality at the Hostellerie Belle Rive although just for one night.

    The Gouffre de Padirac is spectacular and well worth a visit. However, it is worth mentioning that the snack facilities had already closed for the season and only the Auberge was available for refreshments.The walk into the Gorge to Autoire was another highlight and the walk down surprisingly trouble free, although a walking pole is helpful especially after rain, or when, as when we were there, after a long period of dry weather.

    The trip on the tourist train in Martel is also well worth taking with spectacular views most of the way.

  • Ms N Dunn
    Australia
    12 September 2018

    Our Inntravel trip was fabulous. It was extremely well organised and we enjoyed the freedom that came with trusting that all would flow well.

    Walks were a good challenge to be rewarded by great meals. We particularly enjoyed the hospitality and dining with the hosts at Domaine La Vaysse.

  • JR Huddersfield
    10 September 2018

    We thoroughly enjoyed our first Inntravel holiday. The booking process was straightforward with very friendly staff on the phone. The travel arrangements were well planned and we were very impresssed with the folder of information sent. The walks and their descriptions were very easy to follow and showed the diversity of the surrounding countryside. All the hotels were excellent for different reasons. The accommodation and food ranged from very good to outstanding! Day 3, although a long walk in 32 degree heat was perhaps our favourite. The caves at Padirac were well worth visiting - we booked online prior to leaving the UK. We will almost definitely holiday again with Inntravel and would not hesitate to recommend them to our friends and family.

  • Mrs M Vincent
    Lewes
    04 September 2018

    Easy, beautiful days. The autumn colours and views in September were spectacular. We will especially recall the warmth of the sun, the smell and taste of plums and figs that littered the paths, the new vistas awaiting us as we came to the top of the hills. 

  • Mr R Osborne
    Leatherhead
    30 July 2018

    We had a wonderful holiday despite the extreme heat which rose to 37/38 degrees in the shade, but as a result we did cut short the walk from Loubressac to La Vaysse by asking the taxi driver to drop us at Floirac instead of Carennac....he was very kind and stopped in Carennac for a few minutes for us to have a brief look. We loved Loubressac and the Relais de Castelnau and were pleased we had booked for a third night which enabled us to do both the recommended circuits...both beautiful and we would recommend doing the same.  The Gouffre de Padirac is amazing, unlike anything we had experienced, and lovely at a temperature of 13 degrees underground! We booked online 10 days before leaving UK. Again because of the high temperature we returned to Loubressac the way we had come because the full circuit duplicated part of the Autoire circuit which we did the following day...again we recommend.  The Domaine de la Vaysse is a real contrast to Relais de Castelnau; a chambre d'hote in a lovely rural setting and the food, home-cooked by Pascale the owner with her husband Thierry was beautiful and original... a chocolate mousse to die for, home-made jams and yoghurts.
 

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.
  • If your holiday plans go awry because of Coronavirus, rest assured that we’ll do right by you. Since the start of the pandemic, our flexible booking policy and prompt issuing of refunds to customers who prefer not to defer their holiday have earned us high praise in the national press.
  • We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – walking holidays are ideal in these times of social distancing, and we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety, not least taking tests before and after your holiday for many destinations.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
    Entry requirements for non-UK destinations & for re-entering the UK >
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, 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.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines (but not, currently, with Ryanair). 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. For Europe, there’s a £35 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £60 per person. 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 cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out our recommended travel insurance policy (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), 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.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • 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. 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.

    At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.
  • 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.
Last fetch time is : 7/25/2021 6:45:42 AM