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Bordeaux Vineyards & Southwestern France

Dordogne Valley Cultural Walking Tour

6 DaysStarting at $6,925
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Overview

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.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

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• Meet in the city of Bordeaux for a morning walk in this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City 

• Visit the ancient village of St. Emilion and the gardens of Château de Marquessac 

• Walk through a valley studded with the fortifications of Domme, Castelnaud, and Commarque Castle 

• Visit the stunning manicured gardens of Château de Marqueyssac

• Go truffle-hunting with our ami Edouard and savor lunch of a classic truffle omelet

• Stroll the picture-perfect vineyards, punctuating your scenic walks with a tasting of the region’s finest wines

• Walk in the Vezere Valley to view 27,000-year-old cave art in a site not open to the public 

• Stroll and shop in the tiny villages on the river’s bank 

• Visit the Lascaux II caves before parting company in Brive


Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Bordeaux – 10:00 am – Hotel Burdigala lobby

  • Ending Point:

    Brive – 12:50 pm – Rail Station
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Saint Emilion, Domme, Castelnaud and other villages, as well as well-maintained riverside, countryside, vineyard and shepherds’ paths of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Château de la Treyne

Blending medieval history with modern luxury, this breathtaking 14th-century castle is a prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotel along the Dordogne River with upscale accommodations, a Michelin-starred restaurant, stunning gardens, and an elegant infinity pool.

Hôtel de Bouilhac

Steps from the sacred hill of Lascaux, Hotel de Bouilhac is a 17th century hotel whose elegant architecture is typical of the Perigord Noir and is registered with the Historic Monuments of the region.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Perfect Pairings Dinner: A special dinner prepared by one of our favorite chefs with a procession of wines tailored to each course.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

We believe in creating authentic connections by immersing you into the history and culture of a people and place. So we find the most well-connected local guides who share their relationships and knowledge with us. And with them, we handcraft walking tours in cinematic settings that allow you to see the world on foot and at eye level.

It’s why Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times, and the editors of T+L say, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you every time you travel with us.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Dordogne Valley tours?

Classic Journeys is the best choice for Dordogne Valley tours because you’ll experience the region on foot and at eye level, guided by expert local guides who are your well-connected friends. You’ll walk into medieval bastides, taste legendary Bordeaux wines, visit private prehistoric sites (accessible only with Classic Journeys), and meet truffle hunters and artisans along scenic country routes. Each night, you’ll stay in boutique inns and savor authentic local meals—making each moment authentic, immersive, and delightfully French.

Which places does the Classic Journeys Dordogne itinerary include?

Your Classic Journeys Dordogne Valley itinerary features handpicked highlights: strolling Sarlat’s bustling market, drifting along the river past La Roque-Gageac, and climbing to Domme’s panoramic belvedere. You explore châteaux like Beynac, marvel at Marqueyssac’s gardens, uncover the secrets of prehistoric Vézère Valley caves—including private sites—and visit Lascaux IV, the International Centre for Cave Art. Each day combines cinematic footpaths, tastings, and “only with Classic Journeys” access to historic and cultural treasures.

When is the best time to visit the Dordogne?

For small-group walking in this region, the best times are April through June and then September and October. These months offer mild weather, lush countryside, and fewer crowds, making riverside strolls or village visits feel even more personal. Our cultural walking tours to Dordogne are timed perfectly to match these timeframes and offer you the trip of a lifetime.

What about the cave visits?

On tour, you’ll get to experience Lascaux IV and Vézère Valley cave visits, and other major entries are always included in your Classic Journeys tour, with all advance reservations, entries, and “skip-the-line” details managed for you. Your expert local guides will arrange pre-booked visits and provide rare “only with Classic Journeys” experiences that you won’t find on any other trip in the region.

How active is the Dordogne cultural walking tour and is it suitable for mixed abilities?

Walks in this region range from 2–8 miles daily and are tailored for a variety of abilities, featuring mostly easy-to-moderate terrain: riverside paths, vineyard trails, cobbled village streets, and rolling countryside. The support van and flexible pacing let everyone—from avid walkers to casual strollers—enjoy every day, with the option to participate fully or take it easy. It’s perfect for mixed-ability groups, families, or anyone who prefers immersive cultural strolls over strenuous hikes.

How many travelers are in each small group on your Dordogne tour?

Our small groups have with just a handful of travelers – typically from 8-12 on tour – and with no more than 18 on any departure. Together you’ll enjoy personalized attention from your expert local guides as well as genuine camaraderie from your travel companions during your Dordogne and Bordeaux trip.