Wondering where to canoe in the Dordogne ? The question deserves to be asked, since indeed, the Dordogne valley is very close to Sarlat (8 km exactly) and it would be unthinkable not to go there! You can only see it for yourself, the charms of the valley of the castles are numerous! At Canoes Loisirs, we reserve you the best canoe trip on the Dordogne. The five castles valley by canoe. How does it work ? You come to our office at Domme, you will take your canoe for the Trip Vitrac Beynac. You will be just you and your friends or your family. There is no guide with you. Don't worry, the trip is verry easy for everybody. No rapids, no watertfalls, it's just for the view ! The duration is 3 hours trip without break. But of course you can take a break along the way to visit a village, a castle, to have a drink or a picnic. Just stop when you want , leave the canoe and enjoy. At the end of the trip at Beynac. We have a shuttle back every hour until 6 a clock to pick you up and brings you up at your car. You understand ? You can do the trip in 3 hours or in 6 hours, you have all the time you need to go at Beynac ! What kind of thing you will see ? The village of Domme, the Castle of La Malartrie with the village of La Roque Gageac, The village and the castle of Castelnaud and Beynac. The castel of Fayrac, of les jardins de Marqueyssac and Les Milandes when you will arrive at the end ! All our team will be there to explain how you can enjoy your day with us.

Climb aboard a comfortable van in Sarlat and after a 1-hour trip punctuated by photo stops through the majestic landscapes of the Dordogne Valley, you will reach Rocamadour. Rocamadour is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in France, built in a vertiginous setting against a cliff face nestled in the heart of the Alzou canyon, a thousand-year-old historic UNESCO site. During this guided tour you will learn about the legends at the origin of this sacred place. After crossing the main street of the village, you will discover the sanctuary and its chapels by climbing the 216 steps of the Grand Pilgrim's Staircase (elevator also available). You will admire the miraculous chapel and its black virgin, the sarcophagus of St. Amadour dug into the rock of the cliff, and the legendary sword Durandal. On the way back , you will cross the majestic and wild landscapes of the Causses du Quercy and make a stop to visit a unique place either the Cougnaguet medieval watermill or Souillac Romanesque church (not included in the option Private morning tour to Rocamadour. Only available for the afternoon tours starting at 1.30pm).

Immerse yourself in a verdant haven with this admission ticket to the Gardens of Eyrignac Manor in Salignac-Eyvigues. Make finding your way around the vast gardens easy with a map in 6 different languages. Get access two nature trails so you can see the flora and fauna of the Dordogne region. Take a stroll through hornbeam, yew, boxwood, and cypress trees that offer different views in each season. Discover the unique collection of topiaries (shaped plants) in the French garden. Walk through the white rose, kitchen, and the flower gardens. Marvel at views of the hills from the white garden. Have the chance to walk through the picturesque oak forest. The garden and the 17th-century manor are classified as historical monuments and have been in the same family for over 500-years. Enjoy access to the Botanical Paths which are comprised of two nature trails of 2.5 and 4.5 kilometers.

Discover the great sites of the "Golden Triangle" on this unique sightseeing tour with live commentary. After meeting in Sarlat-la-Canéda it's only a short drive to the Dordogne Valley, where you'll visit many fascinating historical sites. After a private guided tour of Richard the Lionheart's castle at Beynac (replaced by a visit to Castelnaud castle from January to mid February as Beynac castle will be closed), stop at the foot of Castelnaud Castle, an impressive fortress occupied by the English during the Hundred Years' War. Then take a guided tour of La Roque Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France, built into the cliffs along the Dordogne river. Afterward, continue to the hilltop village of Domme for breathtaking panoramic views over the surrounding area. Walk around the village to get a feel for the local atmosphere.  Visit the medieval village of Montfort. Stop at a romanesque church from the 12th century, built on an ancient site of Celtic worship, before returning to Sarlat-la-Canéda.

Get in touch with your primeval nature as you discover some of the oldest relics of prehistory. Your private tour begins with a thorough demonstration of techniques used by Paleolithic humans to make fire, to illuminate the dark caves in which they lived, and to paint.  After getting a taste of prehistoric life, you’ll head for a private tour into the chilly, dark caves to gaze upon cave paintings that date back over 30,000 years. Marvel at the evidence of a bygone culture that existed before civilization began. Wander through the caves, gazing at the veritable forests of stalactites, stalagmites, and columns.  After viewing the cave, you’ll discover a beautiful, hilltop medieval castle, before heading back to the meeting point, enriched by millennia of history.

Enjoy a private full-day tour of Dordogne and discover the history of the King’s Musketeers, learn about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and visit prehistoric cave paintings. After the pick-up from your hotel in Bordeaux, Sarlat, Limoges, Toulouse, Agen Bergerac, or elsewhere nearby, you will head off on an exciting day filled with history, magnificent panoramic vistas, the finest gastronomy, and wine tasting. Whatever you desire can be incorporated into this private tailor-made tour. One of the places you can visit on this tour is Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, a lovely town which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site partly because of its proximity to the famous Lascaux Caverns and partly because of the newer site of Grottes de Cougnac. Here you can visit the caves and see the original art. Les Eyzies is also home to the National Prehistoric Museum. You also have the option of visiting Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of the most attractive and alluring medieval towns in south-western France. The town was developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. Its town center of impeccably restored stone buildings – now a pedestrian zone – is perhaps the most representative of 14th century France. Discover another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Château de Rocamadour – perched up high on the side of a gorge of one of the Dordogne River’s tributaries, famous for its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can also explore the Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, with magnificent views over the landscape. Among other castles you can visit is the Château de Beynac, one of the best preserved and best known castles in the Dordogne region. Its austere appearance perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town on the north bank of the Dordogne River over the sheer cliff face. It boasts double crenelated walls, double barbican, and double moats, one of which was a deepened natural ravine. Another castle to visit is the Château des Milandes, once the home of the Josephine Baker, an American dancer, singer, and actress who found fame in her adopted homeland of France. Josephine Baker and her husband renovated this beautiful castle, installing central heating, electricity, and running water. They lived here with 12 adopted children from 9 different nationalities to create what they tenderly call the “World Village”. You can also explore Domme, another typically charming Bastide village built on the cliffs overhanging the Dordogne River. It was here that many of the Kinghts Templar were imprisoned and you can still see some of their graffiti on the tower gates. Another option on this tour is to visit the Jardins de Marqueyssac, an amazing garden filled with topiary creation and a picturesque promenade with panoramic views over the Dordogne River. Visit the Eyrignac gardens, the French garden inspired by the 18th century Italian design. They were entirely modified into an English romantic garden in the 19th century. On this private tour you also have the possibility of visiting Chateau de Commarque, Chateau de Jumilhac, Monpazier, Puymartin, Eyrignac, Monbazillac, La Roque Gageac, Montfort, and Salignac.

See the famous prehistoric cave paintings and explore the Dordogne region with a private English-speaking driver-guide. Depart from Bordeaux, and drive about two hours east, into the heart of the Dordogne. The first visit is to the Grotte de Rouffignac, the cave of 1000 mammoths. For this visit you'll tale a ride on a small electric train deep into the cave to see some phenomenal drawings of horses, aurochs, bison, horned sheep and mammoths. Then head to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the first five skeletons of Cro-Magnon, the earliest known examples of homo sapiens were found. This is a good place to stop for a quick lunch. Next, drive to Lascaux to see the incredible new Lascaux international center for cave art, a truly impressive place.

Get in touch with your primeval nature as you discover some of the oldest relics of prehistory. Your private tour begins with a thorough demonstration of techniques used by Paleolithic humans to make fire, to illuminate the dark caves in which they lived, and to paint.  After getting a taste of prehistoric life, you’ll head in to the chilly, dark caves to gaze upon cave paintings that date back over 30,000 years for an exceptional private tour. Marvel at the evidence of a bygone culture that existed before civilization began. Wander through the caves, gazing at the veritable forests of stalactites, stalagmites, and columns.