Perigord, Cantal and Aubrac: Road Trip Through the Secret Centre of France

There’s a lot on the agenda for your first full day in France, so make sure to fuel up on breakfast at the hotel this morning. First up: a visit to the Lascaux IV cave. While you can no longer enter the original cave (in order to preserve the paintings from chemical degradation), the identical replica you’ll visit today is astonishingly precise. The cave is known by archaeologists as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Prehistory’ thanks to its 20,000-year-old paintings that date from the Paleolithic period. Spend some time admiring these colourful works, which depict a host of animals, both realistic and stylised, including horses, bison, aurochs, deer, ibex and rhinos. Next, head to the Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art to learn more about the paintings and the relationship they have with contemporary art. After lunch in the area, it’s time for some nature. This afternoon you’ll be heading out on the beautiful Dordogne River on a gabare, a traditional flat-bottom freight ship. Set off from La Roque-Gageac, one of the most picturesque villages in France, and enjoy a four-mile journey downstream to Castelnaud Castle. The water here is fresh and still, reflecting the lush countryside of the banks.

It’s time to hit the road again. Hop back into your car this morning and head to Neussargues-en-Pinatelle, a charming little village just a three-hour drive away. Settle in for three nights in a cosy hotel located near a peaceful lake on the Cantal Plateau. The rest of today is yours to play with. The surrounding landscapes of forest and moorland are seriously enchanting and the perfect place for a leisurely afternoon stroll.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll be met by a knowledgeable local guide who is passionate about nature and hiking. Today’s hike in the Mounts of Cantal can be tailored especially for you, so before you head off, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your interests and abilities with your guide whether you want to get lost in the wilderness, visit traditional villages, hike to the summit of Puy Mary or wander around a nature park. After a long day spent in nature, enjoy a relaxing evening with plenty of good food and a well-deserved rest.

Your legs might be a little sore after yesterday’s hike, so take it easy with a leisurely day spent exploring Neussargues and its delightful surroundings. There are plenty of sights of interests to keep you busy. The church of Saint Hilaire in Moissac, for example, is a beautiful listed building dating back to the 12th century and filled with polychrome furnishings. Leaving the plateau, follow the beautiful Alagnon valley. Here, rugged slopes and forest canopies form a remarkable landscape and sleepy villages dot the valley.

It’s time to get moving again, this time to the splendid Aubrac plateau, a one-hour drive south through beautiful countryside. Settle in for two nights in a buron, a stone summer cottage popular on the plateau. Everything here is dedicated to living life simply and appreciating the nature that surrounds you. The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. You are surrounded by delightful countryside, so an afternoon walk before dinner at your buron-hotel is only natural.

The Aubrac region of Lozère has an undulating, open landscape filled with natural wonders. Glacial erosion has given way to wetlands that are now conservatories of marvelous flora and fauna. Located inside the beautiful Aubrac Regional Nature Park is the small town of Marchastel, a great starting point for getting into the heart of nature. The Aubrac cow is the face of the region and can be spotted grazing on the endless succession go emerald-green pastures. This solid, well-raised breed once provided the buronniers (farmers) with the milk they used to make cheese. Today, most local produces aren’t produced this way, but some elements of this old cultural landscape still exist. You can spend today exploring on food and in your car, or we can arrange for you to head out with a local guide on a fat bike (mountain bikes with fat tires).