Fête de la Musique
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Clifftop medieval village and pilgrimage site in the Lot region
Perched on the side of a cliff, in a gorge above the river Alzou, this medieval town has a breathtaking setting.
Rocamadour has been attracting pilgrims to its religious centre of churches and abbey for centuries.
La Cité Réligieuse is the main complex of religious buildings, accessed via the Grand Escalier staircase. It includes the Chapelle Notre-Dame with its Black Madonna statue, and the Romanesque-Gothic Basilique Saint-Sauveur.
The medieval main street is narrow and lined with boutiques and shops selling everything from souvenirs to foie gras, leather goods, hippy clothing and, of course, ice cream.
The town is also home to the famous appellation-controlled Rocamadour soft goat's cheese.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998, the town also forms part of the St James' Way pilgrimage route, better known as the Camino de Santiago.
As you might imagine with a town which makes its own cheese, the Fête des Fromages Fermiers is an annual event that celebrates the magnificent Rocamadour AOC cheese. Celebrated on Pentecost Sunday each year there is a competition for the best farmhouse cheese, plenty of cheese tasting and traditional music.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Dordogne, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
Henry II, King of England, and Eleanor of Aquitaine are known to have visited the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, as well as Louis XI and Charles IV. Legend has it that the preserved body of Zacchaeus (who would later become Saint Amadour) was found here, after the Virgin Mary had told him to come and live here as a hermit.
The Chapelle de Notre-Dame now houses the Black Madonna statue that the pilgrim Zacchaeus is said to have brought with him. This statue is made from two pieces of wood and is believed to have healing powers. According to the Book of Miracles written in 1172, the Black Madonna or, Our Lady of Rocamadour, cured diseases, delivered prisoners from persecution, rescued sailors and also protected many soldiers during war.
As well as being a pilgrimage site, the cliff walls are also said to house a fragment of the broken sword 'Durandal', once wielded by the 8th century hero Roland. The story is similar to that of Excalibur in England and has been embellished over the centuries in song and poetry.
There are so many things to see and do in Rocamadur that it's hard to single out any one thing of interest. Just browsing the shops and boutiques in this town is a pleasure.
But what people really come to see are the many chapels of La Cité Religieuse. This well-known pilgrimage site is set high on the cliffside and takes a fair bit of puff to reach as you climb the 216 steps to the main esplanade. Clustered together you will find seven chapels with spectacular views over the Alzou valley below. A beautiful site to worship.
In addition to the religious and medieval history of this town, you will find several prehistoric caves in the area. The Gouffre de Padirac is perhaps the most famous and popular of these, but even closer to home in the area of L'Hospitalet you will find the Grotte des Merveilles, which not only has incredible rock formations but also some examples of prehistoric art.
Nestled in the heart of the Quercy region at the very top of the town of Rocamadour this park allows you the chance to meet some wonderful birds.
Formed in the Middle Jurasic period as much as 150 million years ago this cave offers the chance to see nature at her best. Rock formations, calcified pillars and cave paintings are amongst the sites to be seen here.
Overlooking the Alzou canyon, the medieval village of Rocamadour is perched on a cliff. The religious city at the heart of Rocamadour consists of seven chapels is reached by climbing the 216 steps of the Grand Escalier.
Sitting high on top of the town of Rocamadour is the Chateau de Rocamadour, originally built in the 14th-century to protect the sanctuaries and pilgrimage sites.
There are several enticing restaurants along the main pedestrian street in the heart of the town. Many offering terrace views over the valley below and since the middle of the day is the hottest time and therefore less appealing for climbing the 216 steps to La Cité Religieuse...you might as well grab a table in the shade and enjoy the view and a good lunch.
Restaurant within l'Hotel Beau Site located at the heart of the mediaeval village of Rocamadour.
As we mentioned above, the walk around Rocamadour is a delight in itself. A rather long and in some places steep hike will bring you from the car park at the bottom, to the pilgrimage steps, and on further up to the château and L'Hospitalet at the top of the town.
If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can jump on Le Petit Train which takes you from the lower car park up to the pedestrian street in the heart of the town. Even better still, there are lifts that give you access to La Cité Religieuse and another one again up to the château. Although if you can walk you really should as you wouldn't want to miss anything.
On the outskirts of Rocamadour you'll also find plenty to keep the whole family entertained, from bird of prey shows to forests filled with monkeys and aerial assault courses for all ages and skills.
Nestled in the heart of the Quercy region at the very top of the town of Rocamadour this park allows you the chance to meet some wonderful birds.
An hour long horse show and theatre production that is based on the rivalry between the English and the French with lively, action-packed fun.
In true French style Le Petit Train will take you on your short journey from the bottom of Rocamadour to the town centre above you.
This wildlife park is dedicated to the Barbary Macaque monkey who roams free in the 20 hectares of woodland.
Situated at the foot of Carennac village this watersports centre offers more than just fun on the water! They offer three main activities; canoeing or kayaking, group canoeing with up to six people in the same boat, and adventure trekking with overnight camping out in the wild.
Offering various routes along the Dordogne river to enjoy the sights of the Perigord Noir region. Discover hidden treasures during a relaxing journey down the river.
Enjoy a relaxing day close to nature as you canoe along the river and explore the waterways of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Hire a canoe or kayak from this company and you can enjoy a gentle river cruise and the chance to explore the wonderful Dordogne river and its banks.
Enjoy a single or multi-day trip down the river Dordogne to town such as Beynac, Castelnaud, Montfort and Fayac.
This area provides water-sports for all ages. Renowned for its architectural heritage and sites of natural beauty, you will find that paddling is a great way to relax and have fun whilst enjoying the scenery.
A recently built house owned by an architect and an interior designer who have created a beautifully finished property that evokes the local style yet is thoroughly modern, exuding flair and taste.
A haven of tranquillity, Lou Calvel sits within private woodland in the picturesque Lot region of South West France where the densely forested landscape teems with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Hedgerows of bluebells, posies and colourful orchids provide both walkers and keen photographers with much to admire while local market stalls always offer a wealth of freshly harvested, seasonal produce including asparagus, herbs and a wide variety of wild mushrooms.
This recently renovated semi-detached stone village house is a delightful addition to our collection of properties in the picturesque Dordogne region. Situated along one of the narrow lanes in the village of Prats-du-Périgord, La Croix is a restoration that blends the traditional with the contemporary to great effect.
Surrounded by a patchwork of fields and forests in the picturesque Perigord Noir area, the charming village of Prats-du-Perigord, with its honey coloured stone buildings topped with pitched roofs of deep red tiles, is most typical of the region.
The undulating countryside north of the River Lot is dotted with chestnut woods and stone villages. In a tiny hamlet, close to the border with the Dordogne (3km), sits La Maison Fleurie, a picturesque stone cottage, adorned with pots of colourful flowers.
A restorative, rural retreat is the most befitting way to describe Tourondel. Tucked away on a hillside in the glorious Lot countryside, it is a bolthole for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, an open invitation to relax, drink in the views and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature.
A recently built house owned by an architect and an interior designer who have created a beautifully finished property that evokes the local style yet is thoroughly modern, exuding flair and taste.
A haven of tranquillity, Lou Calvel sits within private woodland in the picturesque Lot region of South West France where the densely forested landscape teems with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Hedgerows of bluebells, posies and colourful orchids provide both walkers and keen photographers with much to admire while local market stalls always offer a wealth of freshly harvested, seasonal produce including asparagus, herbs and a wide variety of wild mushrooms.
This recently renovated semi-detached stone village house is a delightful addition to our collection of properties in the picturesque Dordogne region. Situated along one of the narrow lanes in the village of Prats-du-Périgord, La Croix is a restoration that blends the traditional with the contemporary to great effect.
Surrounded by a patchwork of fields and forests in the picturesque Perigord Noir area, the charming village of Prats-du-Perigord, with its honey coloured stone buildings topped with pitched roofs of deep red tiles, is most typical of the region.
The undulating countryside north of the River Lot is dotted with chestnut woods and stone villages. In a tiny hamlet, close to the border with the Dordogne (3km), sits La Maison Fleurie, a picturesque stone cottage, adorned with pots of colourful flowers.
A restorative, rural retreat is the most befitting way to describe Tourondel. Tucked away on a hillside in the glorious Lot countryside, it is a bolthole for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, an open invitation to relax, drink in the views and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature.
There are a number of small hotels within the walls of the town itself. Staying at any of these will give you wonderful direct access to the town, parking within the walls and no doubt a stunning view over the valley below. Alternatively the upper area of L'Hospitalet also offers some good accommodation choices.
From the early 11th century, this castle was coveted by several turbulent lords. It then became the summer residence of the bishops of Tulle, and successively had to endure the wars of religion followed by those of the French Revolution.
An ecological approach is the name of the game in this blissful guest house. Sound proofed rooms, towering wooden beams, antique furnishings and luxurious linen creates a luxurious, yet relaxing environment for you to relish. Located in the heart of the Perigord-Quercy, this is an ideal spot to explore the many wonders of the region.
Overlooking its own private valley and surrounded by beautiful countryside, La Matairie is a stunning location from which to explore or simply to relax and take in everything around you. Wooden beams, stone walls and a fireplace showcase the original building, but all has been arranged with comforting class, creating an intriguing and inviting atmosphere.
Located just a 5 minutes stroll from the riverbanks of the Dordogne and situated in the centre of the picture perfect medieval town, the hotel is the perfect spot from which you can explore or simply enjoy your harmonious surroundings.
Le Turenne is full of character and features a number of intriguing centrepieces, including a 15th century spiral stone staircase, large arched windows and a sizeable terrace.
Set on the Rivière Espèrance in peaceful Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, you will immediately feel the calm as you hear the water pass and relax on the terrace or in your contemporary styled room.
Situated at the eastern reaches of the Dordogne region, just within the boundaries of the Lot, Rocamadour is a stunning town perched on the side of a rather dramatic cliff that overlooks the Alzou valley and river below. The Alzou is a tributary of the Dordogne.
The chateau is located in a calm area close to the shops, 45 minutes from Brive airport and 75 minutes for Bergerac airport.
In a typical environment of the Dordogne, superb set of properties with a mansion with a living room of 68m2 and 6 rooms and a listed 3 bedrooms cottages and private pool, a second holiday 3 bedrooms, large heated pool, in a lovely over 1.8 hectares garden.
This property is located close to the village shops, about 10 minutes from Montignac town and 40 minutes from Brive airport.
The property,dating from the 17th century, lies in a quiet, open valley, fed by a small stream.
Located about 50 minutes away from Bergerac airport, this house has a living space of 265m2 and a garden of 6398m2 of land.
Perigord authentic house with about 160m2 living space surrounded by a lovely garden and orchard of 1600m2.