Days 5, 6, and 7: Sarlat
Day 5
On our way to Sarlat, we stopped at Oradour-sur-Glane, which I knew would be difficult, but I was very interested in visiting. I was not familiar with what happened here until a few years ago, when I read “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. Oradour-sur-Glane was burned by Nazi troops after D-Day, killing nearly every resident of the town. The exact reasons why this unspeakable act occured are still not known to this day. It was an incredibly moving and difficult place to visit, and it is hard to put into words what the experience was like. Seeing the town frozen in time and knowing that so many suffered unspeakable horrors was utterly heartbreaking. It was fitting that are time here was under a heavy grey sky while rain fell.
On our way to Sarlat, we stopped at Oradour-sur-Glane, which I knew would be difficult, but I was very interested in visiting. I was not familiar with what happened here until a few years ago, when I read “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. Oradour-sur-Glane was burned by Nazi troops after D-Day, killing nearly every resident of the town. The exact reasons why this unspeakable act occured are still not known to this day. It was an incredibly moving and difficult place to visit, and it is hard to put into words what the experience was like. Seeing the town frozen in time and knowing that so many suffered unspeakable horrors was utterly heartbreaking. It was fitting that are time here was under a heavy grey sky while rain fell.
On the way to Oradour-sur-Glane, we had a planned stop for lunch, and the usual tour lunch spot was not available. Apparently lightning had struck the belfry of a nearby church, making our usual picnic spot unsafe to use. Julie quickly readjusted, made some calls, and found us a new place to stop for a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we left Oradour-sur-Glane under grey skies and drove to Sarlat, in the Dordogne River valley. When we arrived in the late afternoon, the sun was shining and the sky was a deep shade of blue. Sarlat was one of the places I was most excited to see, and it was the perfect mix of activities. First, we took a walking tour of Sarlat, which was charming and picturesque. Our group dinner in Sarlat was one of my favorites-- the duck confit was absolutely delicious! I enjoyed all our group dinners, especially because it gave us a chance to sit with and socialize with different tour members, as well as Julie and Joseph. As we left dinner in Sarlat, we were treated to a stunning double rainbow.
In the afternoon, we left Oradour-sur-Glane under grey skies and drove to Sarlat, in the Dordogne River valley. When we arrived in the late afternoon, the sun was shining and the sky was a deep shade of blue. Sarlat was one of the places I was most excited to see, and it was the perfect mix of activities. First, we took a walking tour of Sarlat, which was charming and picturesque. Our group dinner in Sarlat was one of my favorites-- the duck confit was absolutely delicious! I enjoyed all our group dinners, especially because it gave us a chance to sit with and socialize with different tour members, as well as Julie and Joseph. As we left dinner in Sarlat, we were treated to a stunning double rainbow.
Day 6
Today was a jam packed day! Breakfast available at 7:30 and we departed at 8:30 for a day of exploring prehistoric caves and canoeing. Going deep into the Rouffignac Cave was such a neat experience, though it did feel eerie at first. We rode a small electric train that takes you a kilometer deep into the cave. Along the way, the local guide stopped periodically to illuminate cave art, which included things like mammoths, horses, and horses. No photographs were allowed inside, but you can see some pictures here. After the cave, we went to the town of Les Eyzies, where we toured the prehistoric history museum.
The weather continued to be very fickle and had thunderstorms in the forecast, but thankfully the storms stayed away and we were able to canoe. What an experience! Didn’t someone say “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…?” (I’m only kidding, mom!). Canoeing was harder than I thought, and turns out I am not that great at steering. Oops! Good thing we had fun, laughed a lot, and marveled over the spectacular scenery. We had one rain squall along the way, but thankfully the sun came out and dried us off. After a few hours of paddling down the river, I was grateful for a cold French beer at the end.
Today was a jam packed day! Breakfast available at 7:30 and we departed at 8:30 for a day of exploring prehistoric caves and canoeing. Going deep into the Rouffignac Cave was such a neat experience, though it did feel eerie at first. We rode a small electric train that takes you a kilometer deep into the cave. Along the way, the local guide stopped periodically to illuminate cave art, which included things like mammoths, horses, and horses. No photographs were allowed inside, but you can see some pictures here. After the cave, we went to the town of Les Eyzies, where we toured the prehistoric history museum.
The weather continued to be very fickle and had thunderstorms in the forecast, but thankfully the storms stayed away and we were able to canoe. What an experience! Didn’t someone say “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…?” (I’m only kidding, mom!). Canoeing was harder than I thought, and turns out I am not that great at steering. Oops! Good thing we had fun, laughed a lot, and marveled over the spectacular scenery. We had one rain squall along the way, but thankfully the sun came out and dried us off. After a few hours of paddling down the river, I was grateful for a cold French beer at the end.
Day 7
Saturday, was our free day and it was also the market day in Sarlat. I woke up early and crept out of the hotel room to go for a walk in the cool morning air. Along the way, I found a cafe to order a cappuccino from and sat watching the market being set up.
After breakfast, we spent a few hours wandering around the market. The market stretched through old town and a had a variety of produce, sausage, art, antiques, toys, clothing, and more. We picked up picnic supplies for lunch and for the next day. I also picked up a few art prints. We had a picnic on the balcony of our hotel room, and our market strawberries were truly the best berries I've had in my life!
For the rest of our free day, I wanted to see more of the area, so I decided to rent a bike while my mom relaxed. I rented from Liberty Cycle, which is right at the trailhead of the Voie Verte (a bike path built on an old railway line) that runs from Sarlat to Cazoules. Since I wanted to cover ground more quickly, I opted for an e-bike and rode about 12 miles out for a total of 24 miles. I didn’t quite make it to Cazoules since I started my ride in the afternoon and wanted to ensure I had my bike returned on time. The voie verte traveled through lush forests, charming villages, an old railway tunnel, and along the Dordogne River. If you enjoy biking, this is a wonderful way to spend your free afternoon in Sarlat. After returning to the hotel, I jumped in the chilly hotel pool to rest my tired legs, as I had walked over 20,000 steps in addition to biking. For our final dinner in Sarlat, my mom and I went to Le Bouchon, a wine bar, and had an absolutely delicious meal of charcuterie, tapas, great wine, and dessert.
Saturday, was our free day and it was also the market day in Sarlat. I woke up early and crept out of the hotel room to go for a walk in the cool morning air. Along the way, I found a cafe to order a cappuccino from and sat watching the market being set up.
After breakfast, we spent a few hours wandering around the market. The market stretched through old town and a had a variety of produce, sausage, art, antiques, toys, clothing, and more. We picked up picnic supplies for lunch and for the next day. I also picked up a few art prints. We had a picnic on the balcony of our hotel room, and our market strawberries were truly the best berries I've had in my life!
For the rest of our free day, I wanted to see more of the area, so I decided to rent a bike while my mom relaxed. I rented from Liberty Cycle, which is right at the trailhead of the Voie Verte (a bike path built on an old railway line) that runs from Sarlat to Cazoules. Since I wanted to cover ground more quickly, I opted for an e-bike and rode about 12 miles out for a total of 24 miles. I didn’t quite make it to Cazoules since I started my ride in the afternoon and wanted to ensure I had my bike returned on time. The voie verte traveled through lush forests, charming villages, an old railway tunnel, and along the Dordogne River. If you enjoy biking, this is a wonderful way to spend your free afternoon in Sarlat. After returning to the hotel, I jumped in the chilly hotel pool to rest my tired legs, as I had walked over 20,000 steps in addition to biking. For our final dinner in Sarlat, my mom and I went to Le Bouchon, a wine bar, and had an absolutely delicious meal of charcuterie, tapas, great wine, and dessert.
Cappuccino followed by a wander through the Sarlat Saturday Market
An afternoon spent biking on the Voie Verte
We enjoyed our final evening with a wonderful dinner at Le Bouchon. Au revoir to Sarlat!