15 Magical Locations to Go to in Southwest France (That Aren’t Bordeaux)
Relating to touring in France, the overwhelming majority of individuals usually stick with Paris and the encircling space. Some guests will department out to different spots like Normandy or the French Riviera, or perhaps take day journeys to Champagne or the Loire Valley. Fewer will enterprise additional afield, maybe to Provence for lavender or Bordeaux for wine.
And this is not a nasty factor; Paris is magical, in any case, and I would by no means let you know to skip it! However when you’re seeking to discover an space of France that you have not already seen 1,000,000 occasions on Instagram, then let me introduce you to the southwest of France.
Now, the southwestern a part of France is certainly not “undiscovered”; Bordeaux is among the most-visited cities after Paris, and most of the smaller cities within the Dordogne do certainly get loads of European guests throughout the summer season months. BUT, this a part of France remains to be pretty under-the-radar once you examine it to all the opposite standard components.
15 magical spots in Southwest France
I completely LOVED exploring this bucolic a part of France on a highway journey with my pal Kat. We skipped the most important cities (no Bordeaux for us, and solely a short cease in Toulouse), and targeted as an alternative on magical medieval cities, prehistoric caves, charming castles, and the rivers and landscapes of southwest France.
We visited in mid-April, which was absolutely the excellent time to be right here. The little cities have been principally quiet, the wisteria was blooming, and the climate was completely excellent for exploring.
Right here’s a take a look at 15 of the very best locations that the southwest of France has to supply (not counting Bordeaux and the Pyrenees), together with highlights from the departments of Dordogne, Lot, Tarn, and Aude.
Observe: These are listed roughly within the order that I visited them. Take a look at this Southwest France road trip itinerary for extra of the logistical particulars of this journey. (And sure, you may want a rental automotive to go to most of those spots! We rented and dropped off in Toulouse.)
1. Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat-la-Canéda (often simply known as Sarlat) is among the most picturesque cities within the Dordogne division of Southwest France. The city was constructed round a Ninth-century Benedictine abbey, and as we speak is critical for being among the many best-preserved medieval cities within the area.
It’s a superb vacation spot for foodies, with a bi-weekly open-air market the place you possibly can store for contemporary truffles, walnuts, and native cheeses. The market occurs each Wednesday morning and all day Saturday, and it’s value timing your journey round this (which is precisely what we did!).
Past Sarlat’s markets, it’s the proper place to walk round aimlessly, discovering the charming cobblestone streets with postcard views round each nook.
You can too use Sarlat as a base to go to most of the different websites on this checklist (we stayed for 3 nights).
2. Château de Beynac
Simply 20 minutes from Sarlat within the commune of Beynac-et-Cazenac, Château de Beynac is an extremely well-preserved fortress-castle relationship again to the Center Ages. It sits on a clifftop overlooking the Dordogne River, portray fairly the imposing image over the encircling countryside.
Château de Beynac was constructed within the Twelfth century in a strategic location for monitoring the Dordogne River under, which was a tense border between the French and English throughout the Hundred Years’ Warfare. Except for briefly coming below the management of Richard the Lionheart, this fortress remained a French stronghold for hundreds of years.
Immediately, the chateau is a must-visit for historical past buffs. You may take an audio-guided tour and see a lot of the fortress by yourself. And for any millennial film buffs, you may additionally wish to know that Château de Beynac was featured within the 1998 traditional Ever After (and this may not be the one time you see this movie talked about on this checklist…).
3. Marqueyssac Gardens
You’ll discover the Marqueyssac Gardens one other 10-minute drive from Château de Beynac. These gardens are on the grounds of the Château de Marqueyssac, a stupendous Seventeenth-century manor constructed by Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, one of many counselors to Louis XIV, France’s well-known Solar King.
The château itself is gorgeous, however the actual spotlight right here is the acres and acres of gardens. We noticed one singular picture of among the gardens’ whimsically-pruned boxwoods and knew we needed to go to.
Simply know that the gardens are a lot bigger than you most likely suppose primarily based on photographs! There are kilometers of trails right here, and to completely discover the gardens you may want a few hours. (Additionally notice that the gardens are atop an enormous hill!)
Professional tip: Put on good strolling sneakers, and stretch these calf muscle tissues for this journey. Most of the cities and castles on this checklist are on prime of hills, which means you are going to be strolling uphill fairly a bit!
4. Lascaux IV cave
Likelihood is if you realize something about prehistoric caves, you then’ll learn about Lascaux. Lascaux Cave, located within the Vézère Valley of the Dordogne division, is among the most fascinating prehistoric websites in all of France. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Web site resulting from its historic significance, this cave options greater than 600 prehistoric work estimated to be between 17,000 and 22,000 years previous.
The unique Lascaux cave was famously found by some youngsters and their canine in 1940, and virtually instantly opened up for excursions. However, because of the cave’s small dimension and the injury precipitated to the work by so many 1000’s of people respiratory on them, the unique cave was closed to the general public in 1963.
Fortunately for these of us who did not get to go to the unique, they constructed full-scale replicas! The reproduction you wish to go to is Lascaux IV. This reproduction is an ideal reconstruction of the cave and its detailed art work, together with unbelievable historical work of bison, deer, and horses painted with pure mineral pigments.
You may tour the cave with a information (make sure you e book in your most well-liked language) after which get to go to an immersive museum the place the work are as soon as once more replicated — however this time in methods which you can get near and take photographs of!
5. Château de Hautefort
My fellow Ever After followers… put together yourselves for this one!
Château de Hautefort is among the most stunning châteaux within the Dordogne — and it featured prominently in Ever After because the royal residence in that film.
In contrast to most of the austere, defensive medieval castles within the area, this château was reconstructed within the Seventeenth century in a extra elegant model harking back to what you discover within the Loire Valley. Within the nineteenth century, a stunning formal backyard was added, which remains to be one of many highlights as we speak.
The chateau’s trendy historical past is fascinating, too; after falling into disrepair for many years, it was purchased within the Twenties by the Baroness de Bastard and her husband. They restored the fortress, lovingly cared for it, and even rebuilt it as soon as after a hearth. Their household nonetheless owns and runs the chateau.
Château de Hautefort is open for self-guided excursions, and you may discover just about every thing, from the previous basement kitchens to the extra trendy bedrooms. The grounds and gardens are gorgeous, too, and there is even a small cafe on-site that serves espresso and lunch.
6. La Roque-Gageac
Let’s shift from castles and caves to a cute city for a second! La Roque-Gageac is a small village on the Dordogne River that is roughly constructed proper right into a sheer stone cliff, and it is one of many Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (“probably the most stunning villages of France”).
The village is small, however is residence to a defensive fortress (Fort de La Roque-Gageac) and likewise Château de la Malartrie (which is now a trip rental). You can too take cruises on the Dordogne in conventional Gabares river boats right here.
We stopped right here for dinner (on the scrumptious La Belle Étoile, which is on the Michelin Information), and even noticed sizzling air balloons floating over the city at sundown.
7. Gouffre de Padirac cave
Shifting into the Lot division of Southwest France, let’s discuss one other distinctive cave you possibly can go to. Gouffre de Padirac is a spectacular cave that options an open-air chasm resulting in an underground river winding by limestone caverns. And the very best half is which you can discover a number of it.
Guests descend by way of a raise or a metallic staircase into the depths of the sinkhole-like chasm, the place you then enter the cave system itself. You may observe an audioguide at your individual tempo and finally board a ship to glide by the clear waters of the underground river. The boat takes you to one more part of the cave system the place you observe extra paths by fantastical cave formations.
This cave requires a number of strolling (and fairly a little bit of stair-climbing), however it’s SO COOL. Driving the boat on the underground river is simply so distinctive!
8. Rocamadour
Simply 25 minutes from the Gouffre de Padirac cave is the village of Rocamadour, some of the stunning locations within the Lot division. Rocamadour appears like one thing straight out of a fairytale, with the picturesque medieval village actually perched on prime of a stone cliff in the course of the countryside.
Rocamador has lengthy been an necessary pilgrimage website, with many pilgrims passing by as a part of the Camino de Santiago. The importance of the village stems from the Twelfth-century Black Madonna statue within the Chapel of Notre-Dame, which has many miracles attributed to it.
Except for visiting the church the place the well-known Black Madonna statue lives, you may also absorb panoramic views from throughout Rocamadour. As a preferred vacationer vacation spot, there are additionally loads of eating places and outlets to take a look at right here.
We stayed one evening in Rocamadour, and had dinner close by at Resto bistrot l’Estanquet, the place I had what I legitimately suppose is the very best duck confit I’ve ever eaten.
9. Pech Merle cave
One other wonderful prehistoric cave website you possibly can go to is Pech Merle cave. Positioned within the Lot division, this cave was found in 1922 by native youngsters (what’s it with youngsters crawling into random holes within the floor?). Archaeologists have been shocked to find the prehistoric work on the partitions of the caverns.
The cave work right here date again round 25,000 years (!!!) and depict animals like bison, horses, and even mammoths, and likewise function human handprints. In contrast to the Lascaux caves the place guests are solely permitted to enter a reproduction cave, although, guests to Pech Merle can see the unique cave artwork as a result of this cave system is a lot greater, and never so susceptible to wreck.
You do have to pre-book excursions right here (in your most well-liked language), as they restrict how many individuals might be contained in the caves without delay. No photographs are allowed inside, however I promise it is effectively value visiting to see the unbelievable prehistoric artwork up shut.
10. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
One of the vital enchanting medieval villages in Southwest France is hands-down Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. That is one other hilltop city within the Lot division (they are surely all over the place!) with superbly preserved stone structure and a medieval fortress.
The streets of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie are impossibly charming, with cobblestone lanes, stone archways, and historical cottages with vines and flowers rising up the partitions. Visiting in April was additional magical with a lot in bloom.
Andre Breton, one of many founders of the Surrealist artwork motion, famously claimed he “stopped eager to be elsewhere” after visiting Saint-Cirq-Lapopie within the Nineteen Fifties, and he remained there till his loss of life in 1966. Immediately, the creative legacy of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie can nonetheless be discovered within the artisan workshops and artwork galleries all through the village, which stay principally locally-owned regardless of the city being a preferred summer season vacationer cease.
That is one other of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (“probably the most stunning villages of France”).
11. Cahors + Cahors wine area
Cahors is a beautiful city nestled round a bend within the Lot River. Though based within the Roman period, this city is greatest recognized for its well-preserved medieval structure, together with the hanging Pont Valentré, a 14th-century bridge that includes stone towers and arches which you can nonetheless stroll throughout.
Past the great thing about the city (particularly within the metropolis heart), Cahors is thought for its wine manufacturing. Vineyards round Cahors produce deep pink wines with a wealthy, intense colour and taste — and this area is the historic residence of the Malbec grape!
Touring native wineries is among the greatest issues to do on a go to to Cahors; we visited Clos Triguedina (which presents excursions in English) and Mas del Périé | Fabien Jouves (tastings solely in French).
The city can be an awesome vacation spot for foodies, with loads of glorious eating places to attempt. Highlights of Cahors and the Lot Valley embody foie gras, truffles, and walnuts, and we had a superb meal at Chez Suzanne.
12. Cordes-sur-Ciel
Cordes-sur-Ciel is a fortified city within the Tarn division of Southwest France, based within the thirteenth century. The distinctive title of the hilltop city (“Cordes within the Sky”) comes from the phenomenon of clouds gathering across the valleys beneath the city, giving it the looks of floating serenely within the sky.
This can be a city that’s constructed for wandering, with steep, slender cobblestone streets lined with outlets and eating places. Though you may positively be getting a leg exercise right here, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the encircling countryside.
There are a number of methods to stroll up into the city, so I like to recommend doing what we did: stroll up a technique and down one other so you possibly can uncover some totally different fairytale views.
Cordes-sur-Ciel does get fairly busy in the summertime months, however we mainly had it to ourselves in April. For those who’re visiting in the summertime, although, go early within the morning to overlook the worst of the crowds.
13. Albi
Positioned half-hour from Cordes-sur-Ciel is the bigger city of Albi. Located on the banks of the Tarn River, Albi is nicknamed the “Pink Metropolis” due to the distinctive native pink bricks that have been used to assemble a lot of the historic heart. (Elements of it truthfully appear to be they belong in Italy!)
Albi is an even bigger city, however I am together with it on this checklist as a result of it is probably not a serious vacationer cease and has some actually cool issues to see/do.
One of the vital well-known locations to go to right here is the Sainte-Cécile Cathedral of Albi, which is the most important brick cathedral on the planet. Though the surface of the cathedral is formidable, the within is totally totally different, with stunning Renaissance frescoes in blues and golds overlaying the ceiling.
Except for the cathedral, one other spotlight in Albi is the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec. The well-known Publish-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born in Albi earlier than shifting to Paris to pursue his artwork profession, and his hometown incorporates the most important assortment of his work. Outdoors of the museum, the Berbie Palace Gardens are additionally value a go to (and free!).
The city of Albi itself can be pretty to discover on foot, which is precisely what we did. Make sure you cross over the Tarn River, maybe utilizing the Pont Vieux, one of many oldest medieval bridges nonetheless in use in France.
14. Château de Saissac
Shifting additional south, the Château de Saissac is positioned within the Aude division of Southwest France and is a formidable ruined fortification relationship again to the tenth century. This fortress is notable as a result of it was the seat of the Saissac noble household. This highly effective household was a part of the Cathar religion, a quasi-Christian faith (seen as heresy by the Catholics) that thrived within the Twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
The fortress was focused throughout one of many Crusades, often called the Cathar Campaign, and it fell within the early thirteenth century. Immediately, the ruins of the fortress are residence to a museum, and guests can benefit from the peaceable environment with stunning views out over the countryside.
15. Carcassonne
Lastly, Carcassonne is the jewel of the Aude division — and it is by far probably the most touristy spot on this checklist. However I am nonetheless together with it, as a result of *most* guests to France won’t ever make it right here.
Carcassonne is a small metropolis that has been a defensive stronghold because the Roman period, with double-fortified partitions dotted with greater than 50 watch towers encircling the Château Comtal and the historic core.
This fortress as soon as protected the historic border between France and Aragon, and was positioned on a strategic commerce route between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Immediately, the partitions of the city are walkable and open to vacationers, and you may also tour the Twelfth century Château Comtal with an audioguide.
(Simply notice that you will want a number of hours if you wish to tour the fortress and stroll ALL the partitions!)
One other must-do right here is to attempt Cassoulet, a typical southwestern France dish made up of beans and meat in a hearty broth. We tried some in Carcassonne at La Demeure du Cassoulet, and whereas the parts have been enormous, it was so scrumptious.
This in fact is only a very small sampling of all of the issues to do on this a part of France. There are extra charming hilltop cities, extra historic castles, and many extra caves to discover. However this checklist is not less than an awesome begin if you wish to get barely off-the-beaten path in southwest France.
(And sure, I KNOW this a part of France is well-known to many French folks and different European vacationers. However it’s not well-known in any respect to guests from wherever else!)
Would you want to go to this a part of France? And if that’s the case, which website would you be most excited to see?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!