Turenne
The Land of 1001 Châteaux
Image: Playle’s France
Driving past honey stone buildings with verdant forests clinging to the hillside and the slate turrets of châteaux in the distance, wild flowers gently dance in the gentle breeze of grass-green meadows, the sun glints and dances in silver sparkles on rivers and lakes and the prospect of fine dining with specially selected wines plays with my imagination and titillates my taste buds……..this was how I spent last week when I attended a press trip in the Dordogne Valley in South West France.
Collonges-la-Rouge
Turenne
This beautiful and historic region of France is also called the land of a thousand châteaux, beloved of Brits for many years, and one can see why as soon as you set foot inside the region’s bucolic boundaries.…..it’s what dreams are made of, a tactile link to times gone by with ancient castles, abbeys, churches, moats and manors nestling amongst hills and meadows……the Occitan past whispers with each tendril of warm wind that kisses your neck……it’s a truly magical place.
Terrasson
Denoix Distillery
As you can see from the itinerary below, my five days were filled with Michelin Star dining, visits to artisan producteurs, beautiful villages and towns, and the opportunity to stay in stunning properties throughout the valley; today’s post is a quick snapshot of the region, with a few notes and lots of postcards from my trip……it’s a taster of what’s to come, when I post all about where I stayed, where and what I ate as well as where I visited in this fascinating part of France. The Dordogne Valley is situated in the region of Aquitaine, and comprises several départements……..Dordogne (24) in the Périgord area; Lot (46) in the Quercy area; Corrèze (19) which is partly in the Limousin area and Cantal (15) in the Auvergne. I spent my week happily wandering between Dordogne, Lot and Corrèze.
Red Mullet at the 1 Star Michelin Restaurant hotelL’Imaginaire
Artisanale Confiture
Itinerary:
Tuesday: Arrive at Brive: Stay at Château de Lacan and dine at Les Viviers Saint Martin in Brive
Wednesday: Visit Turenne for lunch; other bloggers arrive at Brive Dordogne Valley Airport
Château de Lissac for a French “Casse croûte“; guided tour of a chocolatef actory(Bovetti); check into your hotel L’Imaginaire with free time to explore Terrasson before dinner in the 1* Michelin restaurant – Chef François Adamski (MOF –Bocuse d’Or)
Thursday: Visit the famous market of Brive and its town centre; visit to the Denoix Distillery; visit the famous Collonges-la-Rouge village; create your own cocktails at the Distillerie des Terres Rouges; lunch at Auberge de Benges; visit a Truffle Farm
in Cuzance for Truffle hunting; check in at Manoir de Malagorse in Cuzance
Tasting of wines and cheeses of the Dordogne Valley; dinner at the Manoir de Malagorse
Friday: visit Rocamadour (UNESCO); visit La Borie d’Imbert (a goat cheese farm for “Le Rocamadour”); lunch at
1* Michelin Relais and Chateaux restaurant Le Château de la Treyne; visit the Moulin à Huile de Noix; visit the town of Martel; check into Le Renoir hotel in Sarlat; dinner at the restaurant “Les Jardins d’Harmonie”.
Saturday: visit the market of Sarlat; cooking course in Sarlat with chef & lunch; visit Beaumont-du-Périgord; visit Issigeac; check in to Château de Panisseau; dinner at 1* Michelin Star La Tour des Vents in Monbazillac.
Sunday: tour around Château de Panisseau with wine tasting; lunch at Maison Vari in Monbazillac; return home via Rynair from Bergerac Dordogne Perigord Airport and SNCF train.
Chateau de Lissac
Collonges-la-Rouge
It’s time to share some postcards of the region with you now, and I hope the itinerary and my photos inspire you to visit this wonderful part of France, as well as come back to read all about my châteaux stays and Michelin star meals……with a HUGE thanks to all of the people below for making my trip so enjoyable and for making it happen. Karen
Manchons de canard
L’Imaginaire restaurant at Terrasson
Issigeac
Disclaimer and Thanks:
I was the guest of the Comité du Tourisme de la Dordogne, Sarlat Tourisme, Office de Tourisme de Brive, ADT Corrèze , the Dordogne Valley Tourism Boards and We Like Travel; all transport, transfers, food, drink and excursions were included in the media trip I attended. All views and opinions remain my own and I was not paid to publish this article, although I retain the right to publish similar material on a commissioned basis with other print and on-line publications.
La Ferme de la Truffe Kitchen
With thanks to Hannah, Cindy and Nicholas from We Like Travel; Clémence from Brive Airport who drove us around for the whole trip; all of the hotels and restaurants mentioned above, the whole team at Welcome to Dordogne Valley, and not forgetting all the lovely ladies from the tourism offices in Brive, Sarlat, Lot, Correze, Perigord, Bergerac and Dordogne Valley who we met and who accompanied us on our trip.
Old Terrasson
Postcards from the Dordogne Valley:
Image: Dordogne Toursime
Breakfast at Manoir de Malagorse
Auberge de Benges in Collonges la Rouge
Breakfast at L’Imaginaire restaurant at Terrasson
Collonges-la-Rouge
Château de Lissac Gardens
The Black Madonna in Notre Dame at Rocamadour
Cheese at Brive Market
Rocamadour
Bread Basket Manoir de Malagorse
The Saucisson Shop in Rocamadour
Rocamadour
Sarlat UNESCO
The Rooftops of Sarlat
Château de Lissac for a French “Casse croûte
Comme un œuf sur la plat revisite,asperges vertes et morilles en marmalade à Château de la Treyne
Moulin à Huile de Noix
Foie Gras & Duck Lasagne at Les Jardins d’Harmonie
Goat at La Borie d’Imbert
Issigeac
Sarlat
The rooftops of Rocamadour
Martel
The Dining Room at Château de la Treyne
Missing my merry travel companions and partners in crime…..The Perigold Gang!
Lloyd and Yaya from Handluggage Only
Ketty from French Foodie in Dublin
Rachel as in Miss Rachel Phipps
A Bientôt Darlinks!
XXX
Château de la Treyne
Trish says
Sounds like a very good trip. La Tour des Vents is a great favourite and we look forward to going in August / September —– and hope to enjoy the first of the CEPS .
Karen Burns-Booth says
I am planning my next trip back now too Trish and ceps will also be on the menu as we plan to go in September too!
torviewtoronto says
the scenery looks lovely
Karen Burns-Booth says
It’s simply stunning – a really special part of France!
Hand Luggage Only says
Loving your photos Karen! We’re living our time in the Dordogne Valley through them. (Miss you!!!)
Karen Burns-Booth says
Awww thanks so much guys – will see you soon when I’m next back in London! XX
Leslie says
Love this area! We spent a lot of time around Beaumont-du-Perigord, since our friends live in Nojals0-et=Clottes. And I had duck confit and pommes Sarladaises in Sarlat.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Duck confit and Sarladaises potatoes – mmmmm! A big favourite of mine too Leslie!
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi says
Karen, how glorious!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Emma, it’s truly glorious!
Christine says
How absolutely beautiful & tranquil it looks. The restaurants caught my attention with the gorgeous brick settings. You are one lucky lady! Lol
Thank you for letting us live through these pics
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is a very beguiling part of France Christine and with the most amazing scenery as well as a château around every corner!
Patricia says
Lovely to see your pictures,we were in Brive yesterday, we live in the Correze and its just as you say – beautiful.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Patricia, I am just up the road, about 3hrs away in the Charente Maritime (17) but your area is JUST so different from our seaside département! Karen
Ketty says
Lovely post Karen, I’ve been missing you all… Vive le #Perigold! xx
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Ketty – I love looking at the photos as it reminds me of what a great time we all had! Karen
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says
What a fantastic part of the world!
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is MAGICAL here Angie, so pretty and steeped in history too!
John and Laurel Rodgers says
Great trip and useful information however a little different than the we I travel. I am sure you loved it and the pictures in article were excellent. Some places for me to consider the next time I am in France.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks! Do pop back to see more information about the hotels and restaurants I ate and stayed in! Karen
Nathan says
Wow- I’m starving now. Great post and awesome photos. I hope to visit and try these all one day. Especially the cheese!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Nathan and how nice it is to meet another cheese addict too! Karen
Christine says
Absolutely amazing photos. Thank you for sharing
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Christine, I am thrilled you enjoyed the post!
Rashmi & Chalukya says
We have heard a lot about beauty of South France and Dordogne Valley looks like no exception with those quaint stone houses and cobbled stone alleys. Did you say “land of a thousand châteaux” now that is intriguing, there must be so much to see and do. Great captures!
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is TRULY a most stunning part of France, and yes, there REALLY are châteaux everywhere down there! Thanks Rashmi and Chalukya, Karen
Sheri says
The South of France is so stunning. I keep seeing pictures and hearing so much about it. It is nice when I can read a post about other areas of a country and not always about the capital city. The pictures you took really show the beauty of Dordogne. The food looks so deliscious as well.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks very much Sheri – this part of France is truly magical and is one of the top places to visit in the country, IMHO! Karen
Tina says
Hey Karen, wow the pictures look so great!!! Can I asked you what camera do you use to take them? They look so professional!
This houses look like from another time you can feel the vibe trough the pictures! Amazingly captured!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Tina! The photos in this post were taken with my iPhone 6 and my Panasonic Lumix camera, and thanks so much for your kind comments about my photos! Karen
Tamshuk says
OMG. I love the place already. The photos looks amazing and I’m sure the place is too.
I especially appreciate for putting together the itinerary. Great work!!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much for your kind comments Tamshuk! Karen
Stella the Travelerette says
How beautiful! I would love to visit the Dordogne. Those little houses look like something out of Middle Earth. And the chateaux and food look amazing too. What a great experience.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Yes, I know what you mean about the houses and Middle Earth Stella! VERY well put! 🙂 Karen
shivansh says
You’ve done a great job with the snapshots!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks very much Shivansh!
shivansh says
Most of your snapshots give a very royal sense of feeling. Even the way fruits are laid down on the table, reminds me of some royal British movies. Great job with the photographs!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks again, or as we say in France, merci encore! Karen
Liana says
I know the History of my country, and I’ve known the background of the castles for many year but even if I visited some, I’ve never been in this region! Your photos are quite amazing tho! x
http://tomboychronicle.com/
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Liana, are you from France then? If you are from France, you must try to visit this region SOON! Karen
Anthony says
The Martel touristic train is missing :'(
Karen Burns-Booth says
The Martel Train? I am not sure what you mean? I cannot add EVERYTHING! 🙂