If you live outside of Western Europe, you may not have heard of the Dordogne region of France. The region is in southwest France, south of the Loire Valley with its famous chateaux, east of Bordeaux, the top wine region of France and north of Toulouse, the industrial centre of southern France. It is primarily a rural area, without large cities or Royal residence. Because of its narrow river valleys and limestone cliff, it is a very beautiful part of France. But the region is well known for its prehistoric cave paintings. Historically Dordogne and this area of France was once the possession of England. Dordogne was effectively a troubled frontier between England and France. It was here where the Hundred Years’ War took place, from 1337 to 1453. So fortified villages, chateaux and churches are common. Dotted across this once frontier area are strategic located towns, on hill top, designed to control the fertile valleys.

1. Dordogne
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2. La Roque Gageac

3. La Roque Gageac

4. Gouffre de Padirac
To travel along the underground river, visitors have to descent 35m into the chasm.

5. Gouffre de Padirac

6. Gouffre de Padirac

7. Monpazier
Monpazier is a bastide town (fortified) found in 1285. It is one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (beautiful villages).

8. Monpazier

9. Monpazier

10. Monpazier

11. Beynac

12. Beynac

13. Beynac

14. Beynac-et-Cazenac
The town was one of the location used in the film Chocolat.

15. Beynac-et-Cazenac
It has a medieval castle, Chateau de Beynac.

16. Beynac-et-Cazenac

17. Sarlat
The main market town of the area.

18. Sarlat

19. Sarlat

20. Sarlat
A street musician belonging to a group, Paris-Londres playing their New Age music.

21. Domme

22. Domme

23. Domme
A section of the River Dordogne.

24. Domme
The hill town of Domme.

25. Domme
A section of the River Dordogne.

26. Vitrac Bridge

27. Vitrac Bridge

28. Vitrac Bridge

29. Vitrac Bridge

30. Vitrac Bridge

31. Vitrac Bridge

32. Vitrac Bridge

33. Vitrac Bridge

34. Bourgeoisie, Domme

35. Bourgeoisie, Domme

36. Bourgeoisie, Domme

37. Bourgeoisie, Domme

38. Brantome
The Abbey of Brantome. It has a bell-tower, which is the “oldest in France” (on paper only).

39. Brantome

40. Pech Merle
Dordogne area is known for its cave paintings. There are many paintings inside this cave. This is its most well-known. The
Leopard Spotted Horses was approximately 25,000 year old. Note the hand prints of the artist.

41. Pech Merle
A female Chassean divinity about c3000 BC old. Pech Merle Museum.

42. St Cirq
Lapopie
St Cirq Lapopieis one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (beautiful villages), by the River Lot.

43. St Cirq
Lapopie

44. St Cirq
Lapopie

45. The End
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owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal by Vanessa Mae.
use.