We finally got it right on the third day of the seven-day Dordogne tour with my friend from kindergarten.
We narrowed down the “to-do” list for our seven-day Dordogne tour to a manageable number of places to see in one day. We developed the concepts of “walkabouts” and “drive-by photo shootings.” In other words, there are places where we want to park the car and walk around, and there are others we just want to drive through and take pictures on the run.
We’ve gotten quite good at spotting a perfect photo opportunity, slowing the car down to a near-stop, and then Julie taking a picture out the window.
Today’s adventure started after we took more photos and checked out our “dream” Chateau Mercués outside Cahors.
Seven-Day Dordogne Tour: Home of Josephine Baker
First stop: Les Milandes, Chateau built by the Caumont family in the 1400s and former home of Josephine Baker.
The self-guided tour through the chateau and the immaculate grounds was well worth the time and 3.5 euros fee. Costumes and possessions of the American songstress and philanthropist, who dazzled Paris during the 30s at the Follies Bergere, were displayed throughout the chateau. Most rooms had the furnishings and decorations owned and used by Baker and her large family, the “Rainbow Tribe,” while living there. (No inside photos allowed.)
Seven Day Dordogne Tour: La Roque Gageac
As if carved into the side of cliffs, La Rogue Gageac is a small and friendly tourist town alongside the Dordogne. A “Plus Beaux Village de France,” the city has many tourists, but not as many as had filled the town a few weeks earlier.
Here, we began to see our first signs of foie gras– the duck delicacy found famously in this part of the world.
Could there be anything better than a salad with duck gizzards, slices of smoked duck and foie gras, and a cold glass of beer on a day with temperatures in the high 90s? (35 degrees Celsius)
Seven Day Dordogne Tour: Domme
The picturesque town above the Dordogne valley was a bit of a surprise to me. A “Plus Beaux Village de France,” Domme was relatively small. While a nice place with cute shops and cafes, Domme was a quick stop for us. Parking the car for an hour and walking around taking photos was enough for us to say we’d “done” Domme.
If we had not stopped for lunch, this spot that looks over the valley would have given us a great view.
Seven Day Dordogne Tour: Sarlat
If I didn’t love Uzes so much, Sarlat could be my next home. Oh my! To die for!
After a “drive-by photo shoot” in Beynac-et-Cazenet, where the pictures of the town and chateau are still in Julie’s camera, we landed in Sarlat.
Today’s visit to Sarlat was short — mostly to find where to park and where to go on Saturday for market day. I want to spend more time exploring the place, its shops, cafes, and intriguing back street.
Seven Day Dordogne Tour: Marquay
I’m not sure how we decided on this spot to stay for the next three nights, but the tiny village of Marquay is giving us a welcomed respite from our hurried pace.
The small, family-owned hotel outside Sarlat is an excellent jumping-off place for each of the following days on our trip. A “home base,” so to speak. It’s a far cry from the luxurious chateau last night, but it’s cozy and friendly and has everything we need to recharge and move on.
Next stop: Lascaux
Stay tuned…
