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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

The Charming Dordogne

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

Illustration of The Charming Dordogne

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.

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

  1. Day 1railovernight: Les Eyzies (or Sarlat for selected departures)

    London to Les Eyzies

    Meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris. Transfer to Gare d'Austerlitz for a rail journey through the centre of France to Brive-la-Gaillarde. Continue by coach following the Vézère river to Les Eyzies. On arrival, enjoy the first dinner together at a local restaurant. Note: For departures 2nd & 23rd May, 6th, 14th & 21st June, 4th July and 1st & 24th September, the hotel will be Hôtel Le Renoir in Sarlat.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Les Eyzies

    Dordogne river cruise and Château des Milandes

    Travel by coach to La Roque-Gageac for a cruise in a traditional gabare flat-bottomed boat along the scenic Dordogne, admiring châteaux, forests and cliffs. Free time to explore La Roque-Gageac. Then visit the 15th-century Château des Milandes, once owned by Josephine Baker, with panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley. Return to Les Eyzies for a three-course dinner. Note: due to market day in Sarlat and the operation of the Truffadou steam train, the order of the itinerary may change.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Les Eyzies

    A free day in Les Eyzies

    A day at leisure to explore Les Eyzies and the surrounding areas. Attractions include the Prehistory Interpretation Centre, the National Museum of Prehistory, a Cro-Magnon shelter dating from 40,000 BC, and the famous Grotte de Font-de-Gaume (advance booking essential). Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Les Eyzies

    The flavours of Sarlat market

    Visit Sarlat, one of the region's most important historic towns, on market day. Browse stalls selling duck, goose, walnuts, cheese and fresh produce. Explore the medieval Old Town, the Cathedrale Saint Sacerdos and pretty courtyards. Return to Les Eyzies in the late afternoon for dinner. Note: some tour groups will enjoy an excursion to Beynac today instead, with the market visit on the free day (affects departures: 2 & 23 May, 6, 14 & 21 June, 4 July, 1 & 24 September).

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Les Eyzies

    Rocamadour and the Truffadou Steam Train

    Travel by coach to the UNESCO-listed village of Rocamadour, stopping en route to admire the Château de Belcastel. Free time to explore Rocamadour, including the Sanctuary with its seven chapels and the Black Madonna statue. Continue to Martel for a round trip on the restored Truffadou Steam Train to Saint Denis in open carriages. Return to Les Eyzies for dinner. Note: trains are steam-hauled where possible; heritage diesel locomotives may run instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Les Eyzies

    Exploring the Dordogne at leisure

    A full free day to discover more of the Dordogne at your own pace. A regular train service connects Les Eyzies with Périgueux (approx. 30 minutes), the historic capital of the Périgord region, with the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum, a UNESCO-listed 12th-century cathedral and renowned gastronomic restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Leave Les Eyzies by coach after breakfast, board a train in Brive-la-Gaillarde and travel through the heart of France to Paris. Change to the Eurostar, arriving back at London St Pancras this evening.

    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 Class travel
  • Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 4 dinners
  • Wine included with dinner
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

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.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes city walking in Sarlat and Rocamadour and guided excursions, plus free days to explore at your own pace. No high-altitude or strenuous hikes are mentioned.
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.

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