| The Vezere Valley in the "Perigord Noir" of the | | | | 35m and a depth of 103m this astonishing cave |
| Dordogne, with it's more than 250 UNESCO sites of | | | | system also contains a subterranean river that has |
| interest and oldest cave paintings, is the undisputed | | | | been made partly navigable by boat. The descent into |
| "Prehistoric Capital of the World" | | | | the cave can be made by lift, or for the more |
| Steeped in history dating back more than 25,000 | | | | energetic, by stairs which lead to the subterranean |
| years, prehistoric man left fascinating paintings in caves | | | | stream, from which one can explore various |
| all along the valley. The Romans also left their mark | | | | underground caverns full of extraordinary rock |
| with the many bridges they built. The region later | | | | formations by foot or by boat. |
| became the setting for the bitter Hundred Years War, | | | | The Real Dordogne, with its well-kept secrets, its |
| which finally brought an end to 300 years of English | | | | prehistoric dwellings, caves, rock shelters and more, is |
| rule in 1453. During this time, fortified villages and | | | | mostly accessible only on foot. Hiking in the prehistoric |
| castles, which still dominate the landscape, were built | | | | Vezere valley and exploring caves, troglodytes, |
| here. | | | | shelters, underground caverns and lots more is an |
| The region is famous for its caves and prehistoric | | | | unforgettable experience for adults as well as kids. |
| cave drawings from approximately 10,000 to 30,000 | | | | The caves at Padirac are not far from Rocamadour. |
| years ago. Here limestone cave formations and | | | | This quaint village, best known for its peerless cheese |
| towering cliff shelters eaten out by glaciers and | | | | making, as well as the religious pilgrimages made each |
| underground rivers as long as 140 million years ago dot | | | | year by clerics and laypeople, never fails to make a |
| the horizon. Europe's most important prehistoric caves | | | | visual impression. The exquisite natural setting and |
| are situated here. The most important of these is the | | | | beautiful buildings have made Rocamadour France's |
| Lascaux Cave with nearly 2000 figures of prehistoric | | | | second-most visited site after Mount St. Michael. |
| cave drawings. In this underground network, with | | | | Nestled on the side of a cliff on the Alzou River, |
| constant temperature and humidity and isolation from | | | | Rocamadour's houses rise in stages on the side of a |
| light, the art has been very well preserved. Other | | | | cliff. Coming upon the village suddenly, the magical |
| exciting sites with cave drawings of animals include | | | | view is breathtaking. |
| Font-de-Gaume, with drawings of bison, horses and | | | | Famous for its cheese making, Rocamadour is known |
| deer; Combarelles, where Stone Age people left more | | | | for its "cabecou of Rocamadour" cheese. Made from |
| than 300 engravings, and Cap Blanc, offering 14 | | | | an ancient recipe that starts with goat's milk. this local |
| animals gracefully sculptured in deep relief. | | | | delicacy results an exceptionally velvety, striated |
| This is the place to appreciate some of France's finest | | | | cheese that melts in the mouth. The town's religious |
| medieval architecture, the fantastic geological | | | | roots are the source of its name and add to its charm. |
| formations of the Dordogne and great limestone cliffs | | | | According to legend, St. Amadour, a witness to the |
| and caves. The largest of these caves, the | | | | martyrdom of St. Paul and St. Peter, traveled to the |
| spectacular Gouffre de Padirac located near Gramat, | | | | location and took up hermitage following his wife's |
| is impressive on a large scale.. Approximately 99m | | | | death. |
| around its rim and with a diameter of approximately | | | | |