Everything we love best about France is abundant in the scenic southwest. Great wine? Bordeaux wine vintners travel their limestone hillsides to package their harvest into remarkable reds—and we taste our way through their treasures. History? The Vezere River Valley’s cave paintings are some of the earliest signs of modern man. Culture? From the 13th to the 15th centuries, the Dordogne was the border between France and England; the fortifications, châteaux and villages built so close together for defense now make for lovely, compact walking tours in Dordogne. Along the way, we spend time with artisans, tradesmen and even a truffle hunter. And the lifestyle? Think of yourself at one of the loveliest inns we’ve ever discovered, strolling by your 13th century millpond before dining on a country stew and crème brûlée by candlelight. If you love to lose yourself in the life of the places you visit, this is the perfect experience for you.

DAY 1-4 BORDEAUX / LES EYZIES
We’ll meet in the city of Bordeaux, and begin with a morning walk in this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City. That afternoon, we visit the ancient village of St. Emilion, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s the flinty vineyards, the limestone caves, and the red vintages that bring us here. And we’ll punctuate our scenic walks with a meal built around a tasting of the region’s finest.

After a short drive to the Dordogne Valley, we take our guide Bart’s favorite footpath to cross farm pastures…clamber over a ruined 12th century castle…and visit the gardens of Château de Marquessac. Settling into Les Eyzies, we strike out on a remarkable walk through a valley studded with the fortifications of Domme, Castelnaud and Commarque Castle. Sworn to secrecy, we’ll go truffle-hunting with our ami Edouard, France’s head master, and lunch on a classic truffle omelet.

DAYS 5-6 - COLY / BRIVE
From Coly, a riverside walk in the Vezere Valley leads to a viewing of 27,000-year-old cave art in a site not open to the public. Then we’ll stroll and shop in the tiny villages on the river’s bank. On our final day, we visit the Lascaux II caves before parting company in Brive.