How much does it cost?

From £999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,349 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Eurostar Standard Class London to Paris, TGV/Intercity Standard Class Paris to Brive-la-Gaillarde, and the Truffadou Steam Train are all included. The Dordogne river cruise is also included.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is fully escorted. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras through to the return, and all guided tours and excursions are included.

What is the accommodation?

Six nights in three-star hotels: Hôtel des Roches in Les Eyzies and/or Hôtel Le Renoir in Sarlat, depending on the departure date.

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day and four dinners with wine included. Two dinners are independent.

When does this tour depart?

Great Rail Journeys runs departures in May, June, July and September. Specific dates include 2nd and 23rd May, 6th, 14th and 21st June, 4th July, and 1st and 24th September.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Essence of the Dordogne

Seven-day escorted Dordogne tour from London via Eurostar and rail

Great Rail Journeys operates this seven-day escorted tour for travellers seeking France's Dordogne region by train and coach. The journey begins at London St Pancras, where you board Eurostar to Paris, then travel by TGV through the heart of France to Brive-la-Gaillarde before coach transfer to Les Eyzies, your base for six nights. Days blend structured experiences with leisure time: you cruise the Dordogne River on a traditional flat-bottomed gabare, ride the nostalgic Truffadou Steam Train in open carriages, explore the medieval market town of Sarlat on market day, and visit the UNESCO-listed cliff-side pilgrimage village of Rocamadour with the Château de Belcastel. Free days allow you to discover prehistoric caves or visit the nearby city of Périgueux by local train. Breakfasts and four dinners with wine are included, along with a UK Tour Manager throughout. This tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and food-lovers who prefer the structure of an escorted package with time to wander independently.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £999 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The tour accommodates up to 40 people; group dynamics and availability of popular excursions may vary
Days 3 and 6 are free time; independent exploration requires your own arrangements and is not guided
Some tour departures use Sarlat as the overnight base instead of Les Eyzies; confirm your specific itinerary with Great Rail Journeys

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Les Eyzies
London to Les Eyzies
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Angoulême, continuing by coach to Les Eyzies, our base for six nights.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2overnight: Les Eyzies
Dordogne river cruise and Château des Milandes
A traditional gabare boat cruise along the Dordogne from La Roque-Gageac, followed by a visit to the 15th-century Château des Milandes, once home to Josephine Baker.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3overnight: Les Eyzies
A free day in Les Eyzies
A free day to explore Les Eyzies and the Vézère Valley's prehistoric sites, including the Prehistory Interpretation Centre and the National Museum of Prehistory.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4overnight: Les Eyzies
The flavours of Sarlat market
A visit to the medieval town of Sarlat on market day, with free time to explore its Old Town and Cathedrale Saint Sacerdos.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Les Eyzies
Rocamadour and the Truffadou Steam Train
A visit to the cliffside pilgrimage village of Rocamadour, then a journey on the restored Truffadou steam train from Martel to Saint Denis in open carriages.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Les Eyzies
Exploring the Dordogne at leisure
A free day, with the option of a train to Périgueux to see its UNESCO-listed cathedral and the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7rail
Homeward bound
We leave Les Eyzies by coach, board a train at Brive-la-Gaillarde to Paris, then join the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Cruise a traditional flat-bottomed gabare boat along the Dordogne from La Roque-Gageac, passing châteaux, forests and cliff faces
Day 4Browse Sarlat's medieval market day stalls selling duck, goose, walnuts and fresh produce in the historic Old Town
Day 5Ride the restored Truffadou Steam Train in open carriages from Martel to Saint Denis through countryside

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
6 nights’ 3-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Standard, Standard Class rail travel - all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast each day, 4 dinners, wine included with dinner
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,349 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Eurostar Standard Class London to Paris, TGV/Intercity Standard Class Paris to Brive-la-Gaillarde, and the Truffadou Steam Train are all included. The Dordogne river cruise is also included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is fully escorted. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras through to the return, and all guided tours and excursions are included.
What is the accommodation?: Six nights in three-star hotels: Hôtel des Roches in Les Eyzies and/or Hôtel Le Renoir in Sarlat, depending on the departure date.
What meals are included?: Breakfast every day and four dinners with wine included. Two dinners are independent.
When does this tour depart?: Great Rail Journeys runs departures in May, June, July and September. Specific dates include 2nd and 23rd May, 6th, 14th and 21st June, 4th July, and 1st and 24th September.