Autoire: Lot
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
in the
Dordogne Valley
Beynac-et-Cazenac Dordogne
The Most Beautiful Villages in France….The story of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” began with an encounter, in 1981, between a man and a book. The book was an album going by that same name published by “Sélection du Reader’s Digest”, and the man was Charles Ceyrac, Mayor of Collonges-la-Rouge. Through that book, the elected representative of Corrèze found a way to serve a cause he felt very strongly about: uniting energies and passions to protect and promote the outstanding heritage of these exceptional villages and thereby provide them with an alternative to rural exodus. Sixty six mayors were to follow Charles Ceyrac in an adventure that was made official on the 6th March 1982.
Today, the association includes 153 villages spread over 21 regions and 69 départements. The aim is to avoid certain pitfalls such as villages turning into soulless museums or “theme parks”. There is a well-reasoned and passionate ambition to reconcile all of the villages with the future and to restore life around the fountain or in the square shaded by hundred-year-old lime and plane trees.
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Turenne: Corrèze
There is something magical about a rural village, and even the word conjures up visions of shady village squares with quaint stone houses, “cottage gardens”, local hostelries and independent shops selling all sorts of home-made and locally made arts and crafts; then there’s the small artisan producers selling their wares outside mullioned-windowed houses, with the fresh produce plied high in wooden “cageots” boxes, glistening in the sun – from dusky purple-hued plums and home-made sweetmeats to freshly foraged mushrooms and crinkle-shelled walnuts, it’s a vision that is often realised when travelling around the beautiful Dordogne Valley and the “The Most Beautiful Villages in France” (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France).
Collonges-la-Rouge: Corrèze
I have been very fortunate over the last three months to have visited several beautiful villages in France, whilst travelling around the Dordogne Valley; served by two regional airports in Brive-la-Gaillarde and Bergerac that have excellent links from the UK to this part of France, the region of “La Vallée de la Dordogne” is one of the most popular holiday destinations in SW France, and it’s not hard to see why. Although its name might suggest otherwise, the Dordogne Valley straddles three departments: Corrèze, Lot and Dordogne, thus linking the three French regions of Limousin, Midi-Pyrenees and the Aquitaine. The area is a centre of exceptional heritage, with impressive caves, gardens, castles, churches, medieval abbeys and of course the sacred pilgrim’s town of Rocamadour.
Rocamadour
I’ve visited this ancient town by day and night, climbing the two hundred and thirty three steps up to the eight chapels and churches that cling to the side of the rock face, and I am always captivated by the town’s history, as well as its sensational position. Other towns and cities in the region that are well worth a visit are Sarlat, Brive and Bergerac. I have to admit to being particularly drawn to Sarlat however, this Medieval city with its winding cobbled streets and unique “stone” roofs, it’s simply magical, by day or night, and has a very strong gastronomy scene as well as some amazing street theatre and bustling markets. The history if the city can be traced back to Gallo Roman times and you can still feel the history of the city surrounding you, as you walk amongst the stunning old buildings and passageways.
Sarlat
But, today’s post is all about the region’s beautiful villages, and I’ll be covering the other towns, cities, castles and activities in this region, as well as where to stay and dine in several other posts; today I’ll be taking you in a virtual walk around some of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” in the area, and as they truly are very beautiful, I will leave you with a gallery of images to browse through, with a few notes about each village as we travel around the Dordogne Valley together with Lavender and Lovage! Please keep coming back to check on my future posts about this part of France, where I will share information about which hotels to stay in, places to eat and drink as well as some wonderful activities and places to visit with the family. Karen
Cité de Rocamadour de nuit: © Lot Tourisme – www.tourisme-lot.com
Disclaimer and Thanks:
I was the guest of the Comité du Tourisme de la Dordogne, Sarlat Tourisme, Office de Tourisme de Brive, ADT Corrèze , the Dordogne Valley Tourism Boards and We Like Travel; all transport, transfers, food, drink and excursions were included in the media trip I attended. All views and opinions remain my own and I was not paid to publish this article, although I retain the right to publish similar material on a commissioned basis with other print and on-line publications.
With thanks to Hannah and Nicholas from We Like Travel; Clémence from Brive Airport who drove us around for the whole trip; the whole team at Welcome to Dordogne Valley, and not forgetting the lovely ladies, Katia, Perrine and Cécile from Dordogne Valley tourism and everyone else from all the offices in Brive, Sarlat, Lot, Correze, Perigord, Bergerac who we met and who accompanied us on our trip.
Rocamadour by night
Photo Gallery of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and the Dordogne Valley:
Autoire
With its square pigeon lofts, brown tiled roofs and small manor houses in the hollow of a cirque on the limestone plateau between Figeac and Gramat, Autoire is a wonderful place to visit. The Autoire, a fast-flowing stream that lends its name to the village, also brings freshness from its waterfall to the surrounding are, especially during the hot summer months, and I can vouch for this, as I walked to the waterfall one hot and humid day.
What to see and do:
Church of Saint Pierre
Autoire waterfall
Guided visit of the village
Autoire
Beynac-et-Cazenac: Dordogne
The twin villages of Beynac-et-Cazenac lie to the southwest of Sarlat, on the banks of the river Dordogne; boasting an imposing castle which was once besieged by Richard the Lion Heart, around which “lauze” stone slab-roofed houses with their creamy façades are built. The village also has one of the prettiest post offices I have ever seen in France!
What to see and do:
Beynac Castle
The Archaeological Park
La Causerie Médiévale (history of the Périgord told by tapestry)
Beynac-et-Cazenac: Dordogne
Collonges-la-Rouge: Corrèze
The striking red sandstone is the hallmark of this former stronghold of the Counts of Turenne. It is everywhere: beneath the “lauze” stone-slab or slate roofs of the impressive 15th century and 16th century houses, as well as adorning the corn and wine markets and the Church of Saint Pierre too. The village has pretty meadows and fields surrounding it, as well as some lovely potagers and flower gardens.
What to see and do:
The Black Penitents’ Chapel
Church of Saint Pierre
Maison de la Sirène (Mermaid’s House, exhibiting local heritage)
Le Moutardier du Pape (museum about local mustard production)
Collonges-la-Rouge: Corrèze
La Roque-Gageac: Dordogne
In the Périgord Noir, at the foot of a south-facing cliff, the creamy stone houses with their “lauze” stone slab or brown-tiled roofs are mirrored in the waters of the River Dordogne where the famous “gabares” (traditional flat-bottomed boats) laden with goods used to sail down the river during the 19th century; You can still see them now, but as tourist boats, as well as hundreds of canoes and kayaks which take advantage of this stretch of the Dordogne river.
What to see and do:
Troglodytic fort built in the cliff face
Exotic gardens
Ferme fleurie garden
A guided tour of the village
La Roque-Gageac: Dordogne
Turenne
Turenne bears the name of a powerful viscountcy that ruled over Limousin, Périgord and Quercy for ten centuries and it has kept many traces of its past – the César and le Trésor towers, remains of the castle overlooking the village, numerous old town houses dating from the 15th century to 17th century adorned with turrets or bartizans and the more modest dwellings tiled with “lauze” stone slabs or slate. I shouldn’t have a favourite village, as they are all lovely, but I do love this one for its castle, gardens and lovely houses that line the narrow cobbled streets.
What to see and do:
The castle (César tower and garden)
A guided tour of the village
Turenne
Other Beautiful Villages and Towns in the Dordogne Valley:
There are numerous other lovely villages and towns that are not part of the association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, here I share a few images of my favourites:
Martel: Lot
Issigeac
Terrasson:
Terrasson
Gallery of assorted images from the region:
Sarlat
Collonges la Rouge
Rocamadour
Bergerac
Brive
Rocamadour
Turenne
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Sarlat
Autoire: Image http://www.vallee-dordogne.com/la-vallee-de-la-dordogne/villes-et-villages
More posts on Lavender and Lovage about the Dordogne Valley:
Notes & Postcards from the Dordogne Valley
annjenny says
A beautiful, beautiful area. I haven’t visited for a long time (too long!), but many moons ago, I spent a year as an English assistant in a French lycee not so very far from Brive. The little town was called St Yrieix la Perche in Haute Vienne. Happy memories!
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is a simply stunning area to visit AnnJenny and one that I am very find of for many reasons – the scenery, the food, the activities you can so, and also the people too, who are very friendly.
Janice says
What beautiful photographs of a very beau landscape. I love rural villages being a Farmersgirl myself, so this kind of travel really appeals to me. Thank you for the virtual tour, almost as good as being there.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Janice – it is a stunning part of France and an area that I know you would love too…….the villages are just as they (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) hoped they would be – alive and full of commerce as well as looking pretty!
Patricia says
I live in a lovely village in the Correze, in a very old Maison de maitre, the Correze is a very beautiful
area and we feel very lucky to have found it.
Karen Burns-Booth says
You are very lucky then Patricia, and we are now thinking of selling our house in the Charente Maritime to move to that area, I love it so much! We also have a maison de maitre here in dept.17, and we are near the sea, but I just keep thinking about the Dordogne valley and all the rivers and lakes!
Denise says
Spectacular – great photos
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Denise – I have not been to see you for a while, must pop over to see what you are up too!
Sona Sethi says
I really like how you have organized the things to do for each of the villages you have visited. Nice collection of pictures. They say a lot about the untouched beauty!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Soni – I will be talking about what I did in the region and in the villages in other posts, but, we mainly ate in small restaurants in the villages, walked about the villages and were also given a demonstration how to make cocktails with the local liqueurs too!
christina conte says
I just visited a beautiful village in the Alsace region called Riquewihr, this past May. It only made me hungry for more! The Dordogne region looks exactly like my cup of tea! How wonderful to visit from village to beautiful village! Great photos, Karen!
Karen Burns-Booth says
The Dordogne Valley would be JUST your glass of wine Christina! (or cup of tea!) It is a truly stunning part of SW France with over a 1,000 chateaux and lots of rivers, lakes and amazing towns, cities and villages, as you can see from my post here and the last one I shared too!
Cal at Family Makes says
Such gorgeous views of a very beautiful area. We are in France at the moment, although a little further North in the Deux-Sevres. Love the Dordogne areas though, and you have captured it all so beautifully.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Ahhhh, you are closer to where I live then Cal – I am in the Charente Maritime, and are neighbours to the Deux-Sevres, as you know! We used to live near Poitiers 14 years ago, but moved here to be closer to the seaside!
Glamorous Glutton says
This is such a wonderful area full of beautiful villages. I’ve visited often wandering through the shaded narrow streets. Your photos are fabulous Karen. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks GG – the photos are a mixture taken on my Panasonic Lumix GX7 and a few iPhone photos too!
Hannah says
Great photos from our trip Karen!
Turren is still my favourite- that castle garden did it for me!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Yes, I agree Hannah, Turenne castle and the gardens also did it for me too! And, the milkshake and cake in the village too 🙂
Maria Kelly says
This is a wonderful post. I would love to do this trip for my 50th in a few years. Bring it on!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Maria – it is a fab part of France and why wait until your 50th to go? 😉 Karen
Epepa says
I always wanted to visit French villages with lavender fields and lovely architecture. The photo of Issigeac street made my day, what a lovely place! I’d like to go there.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Epepa! Issigeac was a truly lovely town/village and the stone houses were beautiful!
Neesie says
I can’t believe that I’ve never visited this part of France before Karen. It certainly looks my kind of place. It’s stunning and so interesting. Thank you so much for sharing your photo’s.
Enjoy your weekend ;D
Karen Burns-Booth says
Time to remedy that Neesie! There is so much to do and see in this area, from fine food and wine, to sports, festivals and visiting historical sites and of course these villages! Have a GREAT week 🙂
Joanna says
Your article stole my heart. Those photos are so beautiful that I have to come and visit. I am a fan of rural areas and I love exploring stone fortified villages like these ones. I am actually going this summer for the first time to France, but in a small port town, not in a village.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Awwww thanks so much Joanna, I am thrilled that you enjoyed my article here, and do look out for my next ones too! Small ports are also wonderful in France, whereabouts are you going?
Christina says
What a dreamy area! The places look like they are right out of a fairytale. I definitely need to explore more of France.
Karen Burns-Booth says
This part of France is well worth a visit Christina!
Subhadrika Sen says
I love villages and small communities. they are so beautiful and close knit. Your photographs makes me want to go and spend a few days in all of the places.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Me too Subhadrika, there is something very lovely about a small community and especially when they are as pretty as these villages are!
Stella the Travelerette says
France is such a gorgeous country and I think there are probably 1000 beautiful villages to see. I have never been to the Dordogne but these pictures make me want to go. How nice that you got to see so many wonderful places that most tourists never get to see.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Stella, and yes, I DO feel privileged to visit some of the lesser known parts of this beautiful area too!
Rashmi & Chalukya says
Must agree that France has some the beautiful quaint villages which are pure and untouched. we have been to some like Yvoire, Gordes and Provence and these are no exception. Thanks for sharing these pictures looking forward to your future posts!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I also love those parts of France too Rashmi and Chalukya, thanks for your lovely comments and hopefully you will get to visit the Dordogne Valley next time 😉
Ami says
I love the small winding streets, the cute little houses and green surroundings… Just amazing! I would love to just do a tour of all these villages. Guess will have to plan at least a month long stay?
Karen Burns-Booth says
A month long stay would be great – plenty of time to tour around the region and take advantage of all the things to see and do, as well as try all the food and wine Ami!
Tae says
Wow, how beautiful1 I can definitely see why these are topping the list. Kayaking at Dordogne looks amazing! Need to visit and pretend I’m a princess 🙂
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is a fabulous areas for cultural activities as well as sporting activities too Tae! No need to pretend to be a princess, all welcome here! 🙂
Vyjay says
What picturesque villages. These are so elegant and have an old world charm. I need to travel to the interiors of France to experience this beauty. Unfortunately have not been able to travel beyond Paris, hope to get there some day.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Vyjay! I will be sharing some photos of the inside of some properties in another post! Karen
Komang Ayu says
This is a very beautiful village. there are lots of green trees. I think the air was very cool and fresh. Maybe I would like to live in a place like this. A great place to relax and cool down.
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is fresh and cool, especially on the water Komang!
Swayam Tiwari says
Are these the French Alps in the images? I am seeing pictures of French villages for the first time. Most of the times, France is shown as a country of Eiffel Tower and Seine riverfronts. Have put these destinations in my bucket list and also hope to make some friends in those places.
Karen Burns-Booth says
No, these are the hills of the Dordogne Valley Swayam, but, they are just as spectacular as the French Alps I think! I think you would love this part of France 🙂
Alina Popescu says
The shots of the buildings and landscapes are simply amazing! I always wanted to go on a tour around France, to visit the villages and pair it with a tour of the castles. Sadly, I’ve only passed through on my way to some place else so far. I intend to rectify that in the future.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Your comments came through in duplicate now Alina! 🙂 Karen
Alina Popescu says
The shots of the old buildings and the landscapes alone make me want to pack my bags and go! I’ve always wanted a tour of France that focused on villages and castles, but sadly, I’ve only been passing through on my way to a different destination so far. I aim to rectify that in the future.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Alina, if you ever get a chance to visit again, then let me know and I’d be happy to show you around!Karen
Blair Villanueva says
ohh it’s like in a fairytale! Oh please maintain these communities and don’t let terrorist hit these beautiful and genuine place, including the people.
Karen Burns-Booth says
I hope that never happens to Blair XXX
Suanlee says
The sun in patches through the clouds over the paddocks and hills is just another sight completely. I spent a lovely Monday evening reading through your post and marvelling at the countryside. Thank you for such beautiful photographs. I would love to outside on the patios of some of these places, with nothing but a book and nature!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much for your lovely words Suanlee and I think you have captured the area via my photographs, in words, so beautifully! Karen
Michelle says
I was just in France and explored much of the Alsace region. It’s crazy to see how different that looks from this region!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Yes, France is such a diverse country Michelle and it’s amazing how different the different regions are!
christine leger says
These villages look so beautiful. I have had my eye, and google pins, on them for some time now. I would love to have the opportunity to finally visit them. I am hoping sometime next year when my mom visits. Either way, great guide. Amazing photos.
Cate Lawrence says
Are any of these places in France suitable for non-drivers?
Jennifer says
These are some of the most gorgeous photos of France I have ever seen. Now I want to visit here more than anything. one of these days!!!
mark and kate says
What an inspiring post! France is a very beautiful place to visit. I’m delighted that you’ve shown the hidden places that can be found there.