Troglodytes in the Perigord

In addition to the cave paintings in this neck of the woods, there are dozens of sites where man has lived for over 40,000 years. Since the prehistoric times, the Périgord cliffs have sheltered cave dwellings, an impressive natural architecture, sometimes in the state of mere visible vestiges. On the banks of the Vézère River you will discoverauthentic rock shelters occupied by men since prehistoric times and developed and fortified in the Middle Ages. It is one of the rare authentic places of our past to have preserved all its value as a testimony, both in the layout of the shelters and defence systems, and in its natural and wild setting.

The Fort of La Roque Gageac, a town we stayed in for the front end of our visit, is an ancient medieval fortification from the 12th century overlooking the Dordogne River and offering an exceptional 180° panorama over the valley. You will reach the Fort by a vertiginous staircase on the cliffside. Built into the rock, the fort was a very elaborate defensive site. You will discover a moat, a stunner, a walkway, archways, loopholes and gun ports. Partially collapsed in 2010, the site has undergone 10 years of major consolidation and safety work.