Windows from our sojourn in Sarlat...well it is Wednesday!

 

Included this one below as it was the perfect window onto the courtyard of 'La Lanterne' our accommodation for the trip - it was in fact Angela and Dennis' room, we only borrowed it for the photo shoot!

For our sojourn in Sarlat...

Pauline chose the accommodation for our short stay in Sarlat and it proved to be a very good decision. 'La Lanterne' is a chambre-d'hote minutes from the centre of town yet as peaceful as a country retreat. We had the 'Tapestry' room which was very comfortable. We chose to pay the extra 9 euro to have the continental breakfast which we took each morning in the lovely courtyard.  

 

For the love of castles...

 

Sitting on a rocky outcrop the 12th century medieval fortress, Château de Castelnaud in Castelnaud la Chapelle, was one of our favourite visits while in the Dordogne, offering more magnificent  views over the river valley. The village also provided us with one of our best meals of the trip at 'La Taverne du Château'.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench in Château de Castelnaud

 

This bench proved popular after our climb up to the fabulous Château de Castelnaud during our trip to the Dordogne - more from this great visit tomorrow. 

Retracing steps.

On our great visit down to the Dordogne Dennis and Angela took us to another of the 'must see' villages of the region, Domme. This fortified medieval village sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne river valley. After a bit of a climb from the car parks you enter through the 'Porte des Tours' and back in time as not a great deal has changed since the fortifications were completed in the 14th century.

As a popular tourist destination it has of course the obligatory gift shops and restaurants but it still manages to uphold much of its authenticity.

Walking through the square onto 'Belvédère de la Barre' on

the ramparts of the village brought back family memories for Dennis and Angela of photo shoots over the stunning views.

Difficult to resist!

Taking the 'Promenade des Falaises' (cliff walk) to the west wall gives more stunning views over the river Dordogne itself.  

The walk takes you through the  Public Garden  reaching the “Moulin du Roi” (King’s Windmill) and also what looks like a fabulous water tower conversion worthy of a slot on 'Grand Designs'.

Going underground - Grottes de Lacave

After our visit to Rocamadour we stopped off at Grottes de Lacave as it was on our route and an ideal way to escape the high temperatures. Probably not the most famous of the many caves of the region they still offer an interesting visit though after the climbs of Rocamadour the steps you have to negotiate after a short 'train' ride into the caves proved  a little challenging.

 

Rocamadour - a cliff-hanger of a visit.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rocamadour had been a place we had always wanted to visit after recommendations from French friends, plus Connie and Alison's reports, so it was a must see on our visit to the Dordogne.

For Angela and Dennis it was a revisit after a 30 year gap! A fair bit has changed since then and have to admit that I am a little envious that they saw it in a more authentic way although have to say loved the 'Ascenseur Incline' which saves you from a couple of hundred steps!

You have to hand it to those religious groups from the past who built these astonishing places leaving a fantastic legacy for future generations.

You enter the city through the Porte du Figuier before following the rue de la Couronnerie which is in fact the only street in the village! Today there is the inevitable commercialisation, necessary for sustainability to cater for the hoard of tourists but also to allow you to buy you darling child a cherished sword and shield!  

We did manage to include a few steps (233 apparently) on our visit as we climbed up to the 'Cité Réligieuse' 

This sanctuary built into the cliff around a central courtyard, which includes the Chapelle Notre Dame with its 12th century Black Madonna is, for many, the highlight of their visit.

We chickened out and rode the 'Ascenseur Incline' back up to visit the castle ramparts that dominate the clifftop and offer amazing views over the valley.