Quick: what's the capital of prehistory? If you answered "the Dordogne," give yourself a gold star. This cave-riddled region is where our early ancestors left their most indelible mementos, painted on the walls of limestone grottoes. It's where you and your gang will create memories as well. Explore ancient castles and fortresses. Visit villages carved out of cliffs. Canoe the Dordogne River and pedal past wheat fields and walnut groves. Spend nights in luxurious hotels, snack on crêpes, and savor gourmet cuisine paired with Bergerac and Bordeaux wines. Make your own family history in the region of prehistory.
Days 1-2 Farm country makes way for lush rolling hills on a spin beside the Dordogne River
Are your taste buds ready to be dazzled? Michelin-starred cuisine is on the menu Cro-Magnon cave art at the prehistoric caves of Rouffignac depicting images of mammoths and ibex and other large game that once roamed free 
Kids learn to make bread and get a taste of rural life in 1900 at Le Village Bournat.
Day 3 Discover enchanting Sarlat, with more medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century buildings than any other city in France
A leisurely climb leads to the medieval town of Domme, with cobblestone streets and exquisite honey-colored homes Picnic in the shadow of Château de Castelnaud, one of the region's most impressive castles.
Day 4 The largest and liveliest outdoor market in all of the Dordogne
tempts grown-ups with a mind-boggling array of fruits, vegetables, truffles, meats and cheeses Kids defy gravity at a fun-filled ropes course Bike along the Dordogne River past orchards, perhaps stopping to lounge in the shade of a walnut tree.
Days 5-6 Trade pedals for paddles and canoe down the Dordogne River
Ride to the fortified 13th-century mill of Cougnaguet, nestled in a beautiful limestone canyon and turned by the waters of the Ouysse River Rocamadour, once a pilgrimage destination, beckons you from its perch above the Alzou Canyon Spin to the medieval city of Martel, known as the "City of the Seven Towers" A Michelin-starred meal showcases Périgord specialties.
Trip Highlights
- A mystical landscape with ancient castles and precariously perched villages
- Kids defy gravity at a fun-filled ropes course
- The lazy Dordogne River - explore it in a canoe!
- Cro-Magnon cave art in the caves of Rouffignac
- Experience the largest, liveliest outdoor market in all of the Dordorgne
Premiere Inns
Le Vieux Logis (1 night): This enchanting manor house-hotel with idyllic gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant was a priory in the 1500s. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
Domaine de Rochebois (2 nights): This member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World features a dazzling swimming pool, formal gardens, a nine-hole golf course and unsurpassed views of the Dordogne River valley. (pool, golf)
Le Pont de l'Ouysse (2 nights): Known for excellent cuisine since 1886, this charming country abode tucked spectacularly between river and cliff welcomes you with warm hospitality and Michelin-starred dining. (pool)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 16 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||
| 2 | 20* | 800 | 42 | 1700 | ||||||
| 47 | 2000 | |||||||||
| Kids: Le Village Bournat visit (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 17* | 2000 | 26 | 2300 | 35 | 3600 | ||||
| 4 | 13* | 500 | 41 | 1600 | ||||||
| 43 | 1600 | |||||||||
| Kids: Forêt des Ecureuils (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 15* | 1200 | 23* | 1200 | 31* | 1400 | 42 | 1700 | ||
| Kids: Dordogne River canoe trip (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 15 | 1000 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
- 6/30-7/5 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $920 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction to canoe: 7 years
- No Burleys or Piccolos available on this trip
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:- 12+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
- 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
- 6+ several longer dinners; routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children; difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
I had a terrific time on this trip and would recommend Backroads to friends. I especially enjoyed the canoe trip, the camaraderie of the group and our leaders, and the cultural and historical activities such as the flour mill tour. Our leaders were wonderful - they felt like friends.- Buda, TX
Thanks to all for an amazing and unforgettable trip! It's not always easy to travel with 5 kid in tow around areas you are not familiar with and you made it so easy and enjoyable!! Cheers to a great trip and many more to come!!- Chicago, IL
Our family had an overall wonderful experience. The boys LOVED it.- Pacific Palisades, CA