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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Flavours of the Dordogne

Seven-day escorted tour of the Dordogne blending wine, caves, and river cruises

Illustration of Flavours of the Dordogne

Great Rail Journeys' seven-day Flavours of the Dordogne tour departs London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus and continues via First Class TGV through Paris to the Dordogne region of southwestern France. The group is based for six nights at a four-star hotel in Les Eyzies owned by a chef and wine expert, where three dinners paired with local wines are served. The days combine food and wine experiences, from lunch in the topiary gardens of Marqueyssac to a tasting at Château Feely's organic vineyard, with cultural and historical explorations of prehistoric caves, medieval villages, and river landscapes. A Tour Manager accompanies the entire journey, and all transport, guided tours and excursions are included. Days alternate between structured activities and free time to explore markets, villages and local attractions. The itinerary suits food-focused travellers, history enthusiasts, and those comfortable with coach-based regional touring punctuated by train travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Evening meals are not included on three nights (days 2, 4 and 5); diners must book independently
  • The single supplement is GBP 850 above half the double room rate, making solo travel substantially more expensive
  • UK rail connections to London St Pancras are not included and must be arranged separately

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Les Eyzies

    To France by First Class rail

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager and board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal en route to Paris. In Paris, you transfer across the city to Gare Montparnasse and catch the high-speed TGV in First Class to Angoulême, then continue by coach to Les Eyzies. The four-star hotel is in the centre of the village, owned by a chef and a wine expert. After checking in, you enjoy your first dinner together in the hotel's bistro with an expertly curated wine pairing.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Les Eyzies

    Marqueyssac Gardens & La Roque-Gageac

    After breakfast, visit the Marqueyssac Gardens, standing 450 feet above the Dordogne River and surrounding a picturesque 19th-century château with around 150,000 beautifully pruned boxwood trees. Enjoy lunch at the gardens. Then travel to La Roque-Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France, and board a traditional flat-bottomed gabare boat to sail along the Dordogne past châteaux, forests and cliffs. Free time to explore La Roque-Gageac before returning to Les Eyzies to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Les Eyzies

    Free time to explore the Dordogne

    A day at leisure coinciding with market day in Sarlat, one of the region's most important and historic towns. Sarlat's Old Town is virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. The market is famed throughout the region with local producers selling duck, goose, walnuts, cheese and fresh produce. Alternatively, a regular train service connects Les Eyzies with Périgueux, the historic capital of the Périgord region. Return to Les Eyzies for dinner in the hotel's bistro with wine pairing.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Les Eyzies

    Wine-tasting experience at Château Feely

    Free time this morning to explore Les Eyzies, where Cro-Magnons were discovered in 1868. The village and Vézère Valley offer attractions including a Cro-Magnon shelter dating from 40,000 BC, the Prehistory Interpretation Centre and National Museum of Prehistory. In the afternoon, head by coach to the Feely wine estate for a tour of the organic vineyard and a wine-tasting of natural wines. Return to Les Eyzies and dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Les Eyzies

    Beynac & Truffadou steam train

    After breakfast, travel by coach to Beynac-et-Cazenac, one of the Dordogne's most beautiful villages with ochre-hued stone cottages lining cobbled streets. Free time to explore, including the option to walk up to the imposing 11th-century château. Later, travel to Martel for a journey on the Truffadou steam train, an eight-mile round trip to Saint Denis on a route carved into the cliffs above the river, with open carriages offering excellent views. Return to Les Eyzies and dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Les Eyzies

    Lascaux Caves & Rocamadour

    Visit the Lascaux Caves (Lascaux IV replica), discovered by four teenagers in 1940 and considered among the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, featuring detailed colourful renderings of animals dating back 17,000–20,000 years. Continue to Rocamadour, a UNESCO-listed village cascading down a huge cliff and an important pilgrimage site, with the Sanctuary of Rocamadour featuring seven chapels and churches. Return to Les Eyzies for a farewell dinner with wine package in the hotel's Gastronomique restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Leave Les Eyzies after breakfast and transfer by coach to Angoulême to catch the First Class TGV to Paris. In Paris, board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at your seat on the way back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus and continue via First Class TGV from Paris to Angoulême, arriving at a four-star hotel in Les Eyzies owned by a chef and wine expert
  • Day 2Visit the Marqueyssac Gardens standing 450 feet above the Dordogne River and containing 150,000 pruned boxwood trees, then sail on a traditional flat-bottomed gabare boat past châteaux and cliffs
  • Day 4Tour an organic vineyard and taste natural wines at Château Feely
  • Day 5Ride the Truffadou steam train on an eight-mile round trip from Martel to Saint Denis on a heritage railway carved into cliffs above the river, with open-air carriages
  • Day 6Explore the Lascaux Caves (Lascaux IV replica) featuring detailed animal paintings 17,000 to 20,000 years old, then visit Rocamadour, a UNESCO-listed village cascading down a cliff

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (light meals included)
  • First Class TGV rail travel
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch (at Marqueyssac Gardens)
  • 3 dinners with wine pairing at the hotel
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Wine-tasting at Château Feely vineyard
  • Gabare boat cruise on the Dordogne
  • Truffadou steam train journey

Not included

  • Some evening meals (dine independently on days 2, 4 and 5)
  • Optional London hotel stays
  • UK rail connections to London St Pancras
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Plus class outbound and return, First Class TGV Paris to Angoulême outbound and return, and all coach and boat travel throughout the tour. The Truffadou steam train journey is also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Great Rail Journeys runs this as an escorted tour with a Tour Manager accompanying the group from London St Pancras through to the return to London.
How many nights are included, and where do we stay?
Six nights at the Hôtel & Restaurants du Centenaire in Les Eyzies, a four-star hotel in the centre of the village owned by a chef and wine expert.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, one lunch at Marqueyssac Gardens, and three dinners with wine pairings at the hotel. Light meals are included on Eurostar. Dinners on days 2, 4 and 5 are not included and must be booked independently.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys schedules departures in April 2027, June 2027, August 2026, September 2027 and October 2026.
What is the physical activity level?
The tour involves city walking, village exploration, and optional walks such as up to Beynac-et-Cazenac's 11th-century château. Most travel between sites is by coach, and guided tours and excursions are included.

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