SloWays • Dordogne, iconic French countryside |

An active and gastronomic journey (is there a better pairing?) along the banks of the captivating and winding Dordogne River, leading to the forests of the Périgord plateau.

Imagine the most iconic French countryside: walk from village to village, visiting places like the historic Montferrand, the Cistercian abbey of Cadouin, and the imposing Biron Castle.

Conclude your journey in Monpazier, a gem of a 'bastide' included in the famous list of 'The Most Beautiful Villages in France.'

And along the way, enjoy comfortable stays and delightful dinners in three charming, small, family-run hotels we've selected for you.

Route

Day 1: Arrival in Badefols-sur-Dordogne

Day 2: Circular walk from Badefols-sur-Dordogne, 16 km

Day 3: From Badefols-sur-Dordogne to Cadouin, 13 km

Day 4: Circular walk from Cadouin, 13 km

Day 5: From Montferrand-du-Périgord to Monpazier, 15 km

Day 6: Circular walk from Monpazier, 13 - 18 km

Day 7: Au revoir Monpazier!

Day 1: Arrival in Badefols-sur-Dordogne

On your arrival you'll be welcomed to a small and charming hotel, right on the banks of the Dordogne. After checking in, you may wish to sit in the hotel's garden and enjoy the sunset over the river . This evening, it will be difficult to choose among all the delicious courses on the excellent menu.

Day 2: Circular walk from Badefols-sur-Dordogne, 16 km

A lovely circular walk right from the hotel's front door. Start along the high and wooded south bank, toward the village of Calès. Then follow the varied terrain of the so-called 'Boucle de Calès', along the 'haute' and 'basse rives' of the Dordogne. Enjoy lovely vistas over the river, with its steep banks. Lie down in the grass for a picnic right on the waterfront. Back home at the hotel, there'll be time to relax in the garden or play some tennis. And in the evening, before another gorgeous dinner, as an aperitif, a glass of crisp, local Monbazillac wine.

Day 3: From Badefols-sur-Dordogne to Cadouin, 13 km

Relaxing walk from Badefols-sur-Dordogne to the Medieval village of Cadouin, built around an imposing 12th century Cistercian Abbey. First stroll through the truly beautiful deciduous forests full of oaks, chestnuts, and beech trees, where absolute quiet reigns. In springtime, wild flowers abound, including several species of orchids. In autumn you'll find a palette of unlikely yellow, red and golden colours and you'll have a wide range of wild fruits to choose from (blackberries, raspberries, hazelnuts and chestnuts). Halfway through the route, you come to the 'bastide' of Molieres, just in time for a lunch stop. At the end of the day, you walk through the vast 'Forêt de Bessadois' before you reach the Bed & Breakfast in Cadioun; a restored rectory and former police station.

Day 4: Circular walk from Cadouin, 13 km

Today has been left free to do as much or as little as you like. You may choose to spend your time relaxing on the terrace or visit the nearby imposing 12th-Century Cistercian Abbey. Alternatively, you can enjoy a 13 kilometre walk through the nearby woodland. Tonight you will choose a place for dinner from among the fine local restaurants in the village..

Day 5: From Montferrand-du-Périgord to Monpazier, 15 km

This morning you start off with a transfer to the picturesque honey-coloured village of Montferrand-du-Périgord. Today’s route is a beautiful and varied trek along narrow trails through undulating wheat fields, woodlands full of roe deer and wild boar and past monumental farmhouses. Your day ends at the small 13th-Century ‘bastide’ of Monpazier. Built by Edward I, it was also home to Richard II for a time and is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Your accommodation for the next two nights is in a spectacular 19th-Century chateau on the edge of the village. Once again, the dinners served at this hotel are unlikely to disappoint.

Day 6: Circular walk from Monpazier, 13 - 18 km

Your last day of walking might be the most beautiful route of the program: a splendid walking tour to Château Biron and an optional visit to this imposing Medieval castle. We can stop for lunch at the “auberge”. Along the way, you'll enjoy a true painter’s palette of quintessential Perigord landscapes. Weather permitting, an "aurevior, Périgord" farewell dinner will be served in the hotel garden.

Day 7: Au revoir Monpazier!

After a typical French breakfast your trip comes to an end.

accommodation

Badefols-su-Dordogne: Hotel Cote Rivage***

Lovers of antiquity will appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of the Côté Rivage. The seven extremely comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms offer for the most part, a magnificent view over the Dordogne… a spectacle of great beauty.

www.cote-dordogne.com

Cadouin: Cdh La Salvetat de Cadouin

La Salvetat de Cadouin is a former 12th century presbytery built on 14 hectares of meadow and woods in the Forest of Bessède, which was once an inn, has now become a guest house. You will have a 12 X 6m outdoor swimming pool and quality products from small producers in the region.

www.lasalvetat.com

Monpazier: Hotel Edward I****

Comfortable 19th century petit-chateau hotel. Set in the heart of the Dordogne, Hotel - Restaurant Edward 1er is a beautiful hotel with a stunning view over the surrounding rolling countrys

www.hoteledward1er.com

practical info

From Bergerac airport (EGC)

Taxi from Bergerac airport to the train station in Bergerac (6km).
Then train from Bergerac to Belvès (Travel time aprox. 1hr 40min depending on type of train). Timetables www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine
Taxi transfer from the train station in Belvès to your first accommodation in Badefols-sur-Dordogne (this service is included in your arrangement).

From Toulouse-Blagnac airport (TLS)

From Toulouse airport, you get the “Navette Aéroport” (shuttle) to the train station. Service run by Tisséo, with departures every 20min . For more information, go to: www.toulouse.aeroport.fr
From Toulouse, you get the train to Belvès with connection in Agen. Travel time is 2h30min - 3h30min, depending on the train you take. Check www.ter.sncf.com/midi-pyrenees
Taxi transfer from the train station in Belvès to your first accommodation in Badefols-sur-Dordogne (this service is included in your arrangement).

From Bourdeaux-Merignac airport (BOD)

From Bordeaux airport, you get the “Navette” (shuttle) to the train station. Departures every hour. For more information, go to: www.navetteaeroport-bordeaux.com/en/

Bordeaux airport to the city centre on bus line Lianes 1, direction Quinconces, and get off at Pole d’Echanges. Then Tram Line C from Quinconces, direction Terres Nueves, to Bordeaux-St Jean train station. Travel time is approx 1 hour. Check www.infotbc.com (departure “aéroport”, arrival “gare saint-jean”)
From Bordeaux, you get the train to Belvès with connection in Agen or Le Buisson, depending on the line: Monday to Friday, 4 trains a day, the first departure is at 06.05, the last train goes at 16.05 hrs. Travel time is 2.5 - 3hrs, depending on the train you take. www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine
Taxi transfer from the train station in Belvès to your first accommodation in Badefols-sur-Dordogne (this service is included in your arrangement).
Departure from Monpazier

From Bergerac airport (EGC)

Taxi transfer from your last accommodation, in Monpazier, to the train station in Belvès (this service is included in your arrangement).
Train from Belvès to Bergerac with connection in Le Buisson. Travel time is about 2hrs, depending on the train you take. www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine
Then taxi from the train station in Bergerac to Bergerac airport (6km)

From Toulouse-Blagnac airport (TLS)

Taxi transfer from your last accommodation, in Monpazier, to the train station in Belvès (this service is included in your arrangement).
Train from Belvès to Toulouse-Matabiau, with connection in Agen. Travel time is 2.5 - 3.5 hrs, depending on the train you take. www.ter.sncf.com
Shuttle from Toulouse train station to the airport (“Navette Aéroport”). Service run by Tisséo. Travel time is 20-45min For more information, go to: www.toulouse.aeroport.fr

From Bourdeaux-Merignac airport (BOD)

Taxi transfer from your last accommodation, in Monpazier, to the train station in Belvès (this service is included in your arrangement).
Train from Belvès to Bordeaux. Departures every hour. www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine
From the train station in Bordeaux, you get the “Navette” (shuttle) to the airport. Travel time is about 30min. For more information, go to: Airport and Bordeaux train station shuttle timetable (30direct.com)

From the train station, you get a tram and / or bus to the airport. Travel time approx 1hr. www.infotbc.com (departure “gare saint-jean”, arrival “aéroport de bordeaux”)

Included

What is included

6 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
4 dinners
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
transfer on day 4
Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
Access to the trip in GUIBO, the digital guidebook and navigation
App24-hour telephone assistance
Medical and luggage travel insurance
24h phone assistance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.