Signpost Guide The Dordogne and Western France, 2nd; Your Guide to Great Drives

by Eric and Ruth Bailey

• ISBN13: 9780762712571
• ISBN10: 0762712570
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Thomas Cook Publishing

Summary

Provides practical information to guide motorists through unfamiliar routes, signs, traffic laws, and parking. Hundreds of attractions are described in detail, together with recommendations for shopping, dining, and accommodations.

Table of Contents

About Signpost Guides	p. 8
Dordogne and Western France at a glance	p. 10
Introduction	p. 12
Travel facts	p. 14
Driver's guide	p. 24
Getting to Dordogne and Western France	p. 30
Setting the scene	p. 32
Touring itineraries	p. 40
Bordeaux: Centre of the Bordeaux wine trade and a treasure house of architectural gems	p. 42
Bordeaux vineyards: More than 5000 wine cellars in which to taste and tour	p. 54
Bergerac-Castelnaud: From the labyrinthine streets of medieval Bergerac to the ancient fortress of Castelnaud	p. 66
Castelnaud-Carlux: Romantic ruins, caves and dozens of old churches	p. 76
Perigueux: City of truffles and foi gras, of art and history	p. 86
The Isle Valley: Fascinating villages hidden in the forest depths	p. 98
The Dronne Valley: Quiet meadows for lazy days, plus caves and chateaux	p. 108
The Valley of Caves: Rock dwellings dating from the dawn of human evolution	p. 118
Sarlat-Souillac: Handsome riverside towns and charming architecture	p. 132
The Bastides: Fortified villages from the turbulent 13th century	p. 142
Around Brive and Rocamadour: Grottoes and gorges sculpted by nature, and the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour	p. 152
The Cele and Lot valleys: Ancient villages squeezed between sheer cliffs and fast-flowing rivers	p. 164
Figeac: Friendly town of 15th-century sandstone houses	p. 172
Cahors: Roman baths and the best-preserved medieval bridge in France	p. 182
Cahors-Villeneuve-sur-Lot: Bastides and flower-filled wine villages on the banks of the Lot	p. 192
Montauban: The relics of ancient wars and paintings by Ingres	p. 202
Moissac: Visit St-Pierre church, with its wealth of Romanesque sculpture	p. 212
Around Agen and Condom: Home of Armagnac brandy and dashing muskateers	p. 222
Northern Gascony and the Landes Regional Nature Park: One of Europe's largest forests, crossed by footpaths, rivers and cycle routes	p. 232
Dax-Biarritz: Surfing, casinos and golf in the region's foremost resort	p. 242
The Southern Cote d'Argent: Paradise for watersports fanatics	p. 254
Arcachon: Pine woods and sandy beaches, plus oysters by the ton	p. 262
The Northern Cote d'Argent: Dunes and beaches along the wild Atlantic coast	p. 272
Language	p. 282
Index	p. 283
Feedback form	p. 287
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