Truffle Hunting, Fortified Castles and Hilltop Villages: A Cultural Road Trip Through Périgord

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, you’ll be met by a knowledgeable local guide to embark on a truffle hunt through the oak forests of the region. You’ll be on the lookout for the rare Périgord truffle, or ‘Black Diamond’ – nicknamed as such for being one of the most coveted fungus breeds in the world. This is a great opportunity to learn all about the biology, digging and trading of this revered specialty. You’ll also be joined by a dog or pig that has been skillfully trained to sniff out the truffles. Once you’ve found and dug up a few truffles, your guide will talk you through the peculiarities of its fragrant smell. Head back to the hotel this evening for a delicious meal and a good night’s rest after a day walking through the forest.

Today you’ll be continuing your cultural journey in Périgord with a trip 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 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. You can then head to the Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art, which explores Lascaux in the ancient context, as well as the relationship between these paintings and contemporary art.

For your final full day in and around Les Eyzies you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Château de Castelnaud, one of the most beautiful fortified castles in the region. The fortress lies at the confluence of the Céou and Dordogne rivers and offers breathtaking views across rolling emerald hills. Built in the 12th century, the building is a perfect example of a medieval fortress that has changed with the times. The Hundred Years War and other military threats lead to the development of an artillery, which was kept in use until the 17th century. Today, the castle houses a large collection of weapons and armour, including crossbows and bombards. If you’re travelling with youngsters in tow, make sure to check the events programme as trebuchet firing demonstrations and reenactment shows are often scheduled. You can also visit the beautiful gardens of the nearby Château de Marqueyssac, which are a splendid example of traditional gardening during the Second Empire.

The time has come to bid farewell to Les Eyzies and continue on to your next destination. After a hearty breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and drive just over an hour to Lacave, a beautiful village on the banks of the Dordogne, in the heart of the mountainous department of Lot. Settle in for two nights in a charming and well-located hotel near the river and spend the rest of today enjoying your new surroundings. We recommend taking a stroll through the centre of town to enjoy the architectural and historical heritage on display. Then for dinner this evening, you can either settle in for a hearty meal at the hotel or we can book a table for you at a high-end restaurant in the centre.

For the final day of your week-long adventure, you’ll be visiting one of the most fascinating natural wonders in southern France: the Gouffre de Padirac, one of the largest chasms in Europe. At the bottom of the 250ft chasm is a network of beautiful caves that have been created by a thousand years’ worth of underground water erosion. You can hop in a lift to plunge down into the heart of caves, where you can lose track of time admiring the many dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. You’ll then climb onto a flat-bottomed boat and sit back as you’re guide punts you through small passageways and into huge caves. We could also arrange for you to visit the sacred village of Rocamadour later today with a private guide. Head back to your hotel this evening for one last delicious meal before heading home tomorrow.