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Castles, Confit and Cro-Magnon!
Ah, the Dordogne – not just a grand river meandering its way through some of the finest wine country in the world, but a bucolic area in south-west France that  is chock full of just about everything imaginable for a perfect vacation. Breathtaking scenery, castles and fortified towns, prehistoric caves with their mystical wall paintings, pristine stone villages, river excursions (by tour boat or canoe), colourful markets featuring local produce, wonderful restaurants and heavenly wine. It just doesn’t get much better than that.
Unless, of course, one savours this marvellous region as a guest on Hélène’s Tour of the Dordogne. She will make certain that the visit is relaxed and truly memorable.
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Beautiful Château de la Poujade
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Her guests will be picked up in historic Bordeaux (a great place to spend a couple of days before the tour) and be escorted to the Château de la Poujade a 17th century chartreuse (charter house), the largest one in the region and a listed historical monument, as her base for the week. No pesky packing and unpacking for her guests. The château’s suites are truly splendid, the principle rooms magnificent and the grounds park-like.
Then there is the gourmet chef who will prepare each dinner, matched of course by a melody of fine wines from the Bergerac, Cahors and Bordeaux regions, each meticulously selected by yours truly.
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Les Milandes – Josephine Baker’s Château
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And, there’s the luxury mini-coach to transport her ten or so guests comfortably on daily, relaxed excursions to fabulous points of interest. No worries about directions, parking or drinking and driving. They will sit back and enjoy the scenery as the Périgord unfolds before them.
Here are a few of the daily journey highlights:
- Lunch in a quaint, family run country restaurant that is open only one day a week, and the food comes straight from the owner’s farm – it’s unforgettable.
- A visit to the prehistoric caves of Lascaux II and Rouffignac led by a professional archeologist/historian.
- A private tour of Sarlat, a truly lovely medieval town, with time to stroll around and enjoy a leisurely lunch.
- A visit to Les Milandes, Josephine Baker’s stunning château and museum followed by a brilliant live exhibition put on by the estate’s birds of prey.
- A cruise down the Dordogne in a gabarre – a flat bottomed boat that used to carry supplies; or, for the more adventurous, a canoe trip.
- Guided tours of the fortified towns of Monpazier and Beaumont as well as Château de Biron.
- A wine day with visits to a special vineyard in Bergerac as well as to Château Monbazillac.
- And, so much more!
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Château de Biron
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There is still space available for Hélène’s 2013 Tour of the Dordogne which will run from Saturday, September 7th to Saturday, September 14th. Please visit the O!France for all of the delicious details or contact Hélène directly for more information and to book your trip of a lifetime.
Cheers!
Jim Walker
Jaswalker@arthursellers.com
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