Village Life in the Dordogne
July 31-August 8, 2008

Overview
Features
Itinerary

Overview (Return to top)

Experience life in the heart of southwestern France for one week in the Dordogne River Valley, a delightful region renowned for its stunning beauty, delectable cuisine, splendid castles and charming villages.  From your base in the historic town of Sarlat-la-Caneda - officially recognized as one of France's best-preserved medieval villages - explore the region's numerous historic, cultural and natural attractions, including the prehistoric caves of Lascaux and Rouffignac, Richard the Lionheart's castle at Beynac, the ancient fortified town of Domme and the dramatic cliff-side town of Rocamadour, one of Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations during the Middle Ages.  Your experience will be enhanced with exclusive lectures and the Village Forum discussion with specially selected local residents.  Accommodations will be in the charming Hotel de la Madeleine where your host, Philippe Melot - a highly regarded chef and former town mayor - will introduce you to the region's history and architecture in addition to the Perigord's culinary wonders.  Your enjoyment of the region's gastronomic bounty will be further enhanced during daily meals and at Sarlat-la-Caneda colorful outdoor market, a village tradition that dates to the Middle Ages.

Priced from $2,495 plus air
Gohagan & Company

For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Features (Return to top)

In Sarlat-La-Caneda:

• Seven nights at the historic, family-owned Hotel de la Madeleine
• Private welcome reception in the hotel featuring wine and cheese from southwestern France
• Three meals each day - including two-course lunches and three-course dinners - featuring traditional French cuisine and regional specialties, prepared by the Hotel de la Madeleine's owner and acclaimed chef, Philippe Melot.  Local wine is included with dinner. 

All tours and excursions below are led by expert local guides:

• Half-day architectural walking tour of Sarlat-la-Caneda
• Excursion to the dramatic cliffside village of Rocamadour and its Musee d'Art Sacree.  Lunch in the Hotel Beau Site
• Half-day tour of L'Avri du Cap-Blanc and the Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
• Half-day excursion to Lascaux II and Rouffignac Cave
• Full-day excursion to the historic town of Perigueux, a major center of trade and culture since the days of the Roman Empire
• Tour of the fortress of Beynac-et-Cazenac, with lunch in the village of Beynac
• Specially arranged gabare cruise on the scenic Dordogne River past the fortress of Castlenaud
• Tour of Domme, a 13th century walled village

A full program of educational and cultural enrichment, including:

• A lecture on architectural preservation by Philippe Melot, who leads preservation efforts in Sarlat-la-Caneda
• Exclusive Village Forum with local residents who will discuss life in provincial France
• Specially arranged performance of traditional 19th century French folk entertainment.

Itinerary (Return to top)

Day 1  
Depart from the U.S.

Day 2  
Bordeaux, France/Sarlat-la-Caneda

Day 3  
Sarlat-la-Caneda

Day 4  
Sarlat-la-Caneda (Rocamadour)

Day 5 
Sarlat-la-Caneda (L'Abri du Cap-Blanc/Les Eyzies-de-Tayac/St.-Amand-de-Coly/St. GeniŠs)

Day 6 
Sarlat-la-Caneda (Lascaux II/Rouffignac)

Day 7 
Sarlat-la-Caneda (Perigueux)

Day 8  
Sarlat-la-Caneda (Beynac-et-Cazenac/Domme)

Day 9  
Sarlat-la-Caneda/Bourdeaux/Return to U.S.