Day Tours

The region here is so diverse and the tourist offering so extensive that most of our guests have a hard time choosing. We are happy to help you on your way, drawing on our own experience and on the experience of the many guests who preceded you. We now have a whole library of regional information, with walking and cycling maps, topographic maps and route maps, and a big collection of flyers. Our day trip suggestions are always a hit. You can browse a first selection here:

enjoy the pool Le Manoir Souillac

Day 1

enjoy the swimming pool

explore the new surroundings: Le Circuit de Reyrevignes (7 or 12 km)

enjoy the pool Le Manoir Souillac

Day 1

enjoy the swimming pool

explore the new surroundings: Le Circuit de Reyrevignes (7 or 12 km)

Read more

Following the long car ride that kicked off your holiday, you will want to stay close to your home-away-from-home the next day and explore your immediate surroundings.

 

In the center of Souillac the supermarkets are open on Sunday mornings, so drop by for some basic shopping. Back home, it is high time to enjoy the pool.

 

What better way to take in your new surroundings than a nice walk? Le Circuit de Reyrevignes starts at Le Manoir. The shorter 7 km route climbs up the hill and follows the flat ridge with a view of Souillac and the valley of the Blagour. The longer 12 km option leads you past the source of the Boulet, passes the Romanesque church of Reyrevignes and crosses a 18-hole golf course. The cafe and restaurant at the golf course are open to the public; ideal for anyone thirsty or hungry from their hike.

Day 2

warm up in La Roque Gageac (and hike to the top)

have lunch at the foot of the Chateau de Beynac (and another climb, up to the castle)

take a break during a boat trip on the Dordogne

gabarre on the Dordogne
gabarre on the Dordogne

Day 2

warm up in La Roque Gageac (and hike to the top)

have lunch at the foot of the Chateau de Beynac (and another climb, up to the castle)

take a break during a boat trip on the Dordogne

Read more

La Roque Gageac is classified as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Much like Rocamadour, the village seems as if built into a cliffside. This cliff, rising steeply from the Dordogne, is entirely south-facing, which results in a microclimate prevailing in La Roque Gageac, evidenced by its exotic flora.

 

A visit to the town by definition means climbing. For those that would like to get away from the crowds, there is a beautiful, slightly longer walk up the hill (4 km, 220 m elevation), with a viewpoint at the top offering magnificent views over the valley.

 

A little further downstream, also on the North bank of the Dordogne, lies Beynac, a nine-hundred-year-old castle that was regularly in conflict with its neighbor, the Castle of Castelnaud, during the 100-year war. Both the exterior and the interior of the castle of Beynac are worth seeing.

 

Are you done walking but you still feel like some sightseeing? Then hop on a boat and see La Roque Gageac and the castles of Beynac and Castelnaud from the water. The tour goes by ‘gabarre’, which is a flatboat on which goods were transported in the past towards Bordeaux and its harbor.

gouffre de Saint-Saveur

Day 3

on pilgrimage to Rocamadour

spot monkeys or eagles

a walk from gouffre to gouffre

gouffre de Saint-Saveur

Day 3

on pilgrimage to Rocamadour

spot monkeys or eagles

a walk from gouffre to gouffre

Read more

Rocamadour was – and still is – an important pilgrimage site. Centuries ago convicts were sent from all over France with – literally – a ball and chain on their leg. Whoever survived the trip and climbed all the way to the top on his knees, was relieved of his burden and was allowed to call himself a free man. Rocamadour is built against a cliff, creating the illusion that the houses are built directly on top of each other. The streets are narrow and cozy, but very touristy. A guided walk is highly recommended.

 

Near the actual town there are two attractions that are worthwhile, especially when traveling with children: the Fôret des Singes and the Parc Ornitologique Midi-Pyrenée. At the first location you walk among the only macaques native to Europe, at the second among birds: vultures, falcons, owls, eagles …

 

Rocamadour is also the starting point of interesting 12 km walk of intermediate difficulty. The walk takes you into the valley of the Alzou and the Ouysse, and along two gouffres. In the Gouffre de Cabouy an underground river emerges, which apparently is quite popular with divers. The Gouffre de Saint-Saveur, on the other hand, is a more authentic headwater source and looks completely different with its clear azure water. After about four hours of quiet walking you are back in Rocamadour. Time for a snack and a drink.

Day 4

visit the Lascaux caves

a walk through Montignac

on the way back, a visit to Saint-Amand de Coly

Saint-Amand-de-Coly
Saint-Amand-de-Coly

Day 4

visit the Lascaux caves

a walk through Montignac

on the way back, a visit to Saint-Amand de Coly

Read more

The Lascaux caves are located in the valley of the Vézère, which is in the Dordogne department, our neighboring department. All in all the beautiful drive takes about half an hour. Visiting the authentic caves is no longer possible, because they are so fragile that they were closed to the public a few decades ago. Luckily, the art of replica building is so refined that you will believe you are in a real cave when you visit ‘Lascaux 4’. Lascaux attracts a lot of tourists every day, so online reservations are highly recommended. We would be more than happy to help you book online.

 

Lascaux is part of the municipality of Montignac on the banks of the Vézère. Montignac is a charming town perfectly suited to wandering around. There are terraces and restaurants, the ideal place for an extensive afternoon stop.

 

On your way back to Le Manoir and Souillac, it only takes a little extra effort to drive past Saint-Amand-de-Coly. This village is also on the list of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’. The village is built around a 12th century fortified abbey which forms a uniform and harmonious whole with the old houses around it. In the village itself three signed walking circuits have been developed, providing you with an explanation of the history of nature of Saint-Amand. Also fun for children.

canoeing on the Dordogne

Day 5

canoeing on the Dordogne, with picnic on the banks

consecutive visit to the water paradise ``Quercyland`` in Souillac or the giant labyrinth in Domme (entrance included in canoe ticket)

canoeing on the Dordogne

Day 5

canoeing on the Dordogne, with picnic on the banks

consecutive visit to the water paradise ``Quercyland`` in Souillac or the giant labyrinth in Domme (entrance included in canoe ticket)

Read more

Floating in canoe or kayak on the Dordogne is highly recommended. Depending on your mood and fitness level, you can choose between 9 and 29 km. The trips with arrival in Souillac give you an excellent perspective of nature along the Dordogne: steep banks, cobbled beaches (ideal mooring places for a cozy picnic), lots of birds and magnificent views. On top of that, you get free access to the water park Quercyland upon arrival in Souillac.

 

The trips further downstream make it clear that the Dordogne was once, during the 100-year war, an important location in the conflict: both on the left and on the right bank you can find many imposing fortified castles. Start early, because upon arrival you get free access to the giant labyrinth in Domme.

Day 6

lunch at Sarlat-la-Canéda

enjoy an ice cream in Domme

sarlat-la-caneda
sarlat-la-caneda

Day 6

lunch at Sarlat-la-Canéda

enjoy an ice cream in Domme

Read more

Sarlat-la-Canéda is originally a medieval city, which flourished especially during the Renaissance. In the 1960s the entire city center was renovated and the result is impressive: no better description than ‘Bruges’ of the Perigord. Just like Bruges, it is of course rather touristy, especially the Saturday market in the high season, which makes for a warm and hospitable atmosphere. For those that wish to skip the Saturday crowds, they also hold a market on Wednesdays.

 

To reach Domme one must climb: the town peaks at 150 m above the Dordogne. Domme is an old fortified city, a bastide. A large part of the original city walls, including three city gates, have been preserved. The city gates used to serve as a prison, and graffiti carved by imprisoned Templars in it in 1307 can still be found in one of them. In the past, the magical view over the valley of the Dordogne was important for strategic reasons, today fills just as important a role as one of the major assets of this exceptionally beautiful town. Did you already visit the giant labyrinth in the area? If you have not, now is a good time.

collonge-la-rouge

Day 7

market in Brive-la-Gaillarde, pay a visit to the city

walk through Collonge-la-Rouge

on to the highest point of Turenne

collonge-la-rouge

Day 7

market in Brive-la-Gaillarde, pay a visit to the city

walk through Collonge-la-Rouge

on to the highest point of Turenne

Read more

The biggest market in the region, with over 300 stalls, takes place every Saturday in Brive-la-Gaillarde. After George Brassens once mentioned it in one of his songs, the indoor city hall has since been named after him. Brive-La-Gaillarde has a pleasant car-free center. We enjoy having lunch at the Amedelys, one of the many excellent local restaurants. Advance booking is recommended.

 

Collonge-La-Rouge is on the list of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’. All houses have been built from the same red sandstone rich in iron oxides, which gives the town a mysterious, fairytale atmosphere.

 

On the way back to the motorway, a stop in Turenne – again one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France – is more than worthwhile. Turenne is draped pleasantly over a hill and looks out over the surrounding countryside. The climb can be felt in the calves, but the expansive view alone is worth the effort.