New View suggests at least 5 days to the pastoral Vezere & Dordogne Valleys to explore the amazing pre-historic caves painted, carved and scratched with images thousands of years ago. Start in Bordeaux with a visit to the exceptional French Archeological Museum of Pre-History. Then experience real caves to see the spectacular drawings, sculptural carvings drawn in and about the limestone rooms. Some are filled with art, others are harder to decipher tucked in corners, scratched behind stalactites. The pictures, etchings and relief sculptures, dated by radio carbon analysis dating suggests enormous time spans between the caves; Laxcaux 19,000 and Roufignac 38,000 years ago – in the same valley! The caves are seasonal. The new contemporary museum Lascaux lV hosts a perfect reproduction of that cave with exceptional galleries. The real caves: Font-de-Gaume; Rouffignac, Les Combrelles and Cougnac close in the winter months.
Coming up for air, explore one or more of the castles on the Dordogne River including Beynac and Castlenaud constructed by an English and another by a French king.
Gardens abound. Choose the spring or fall months to avoid crowds on the shoulder seasons.
All year, the story of local cuisine is world renowned: oysters, foi gras, walnuts, prunes and fine local wines pair with duck, pumpkin, a fresh salad or special dessert! Try it all!
The tour begins and ends in Bordeaux – 5 nights.
We suggest spending an extra day early to acclimate to the European time zone.
In Les Eyzies consider the Cro-Magnon Hotel.
Cave visits must be reserved in advance. Some have limited number at one time. Let us purchase your tickets for you in advance.
An experienced English speaking guide is available to accompany your group.
Activity level – Moderate. Travelers will enjoy the trip if they are able to walk comfortably and transport their own roll-along suitcase.
Trip limited to 8 travelers in a group (van).
Learn why D0rgd0gne was named among the best places in Europe!
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