Bradt - Dordogne & The Lot

Beskrivelse

Discover the Dordogne and Lot regions with this comprehensive guide that also covers Bordeaux, Toulouse, and surrounding areas. Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, longtime residents of the Lot valley, bring expert insight into the region’s landscapes, culture, and cuisine.

An in-depth exploration of Dordogne, Lot, Bordeaux, and their rich heritage.

This guide offers the most detailed look at the entire region, including Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne alongside Dordogne, Lot, and Bordeaux. Written by Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls-authors who have lived in the Lot valley for over thirty years-it’s your perfect companion to the area's stunning scenery, charming towns, and vibrant culture.

Starting with Bordeaux, the capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the world’s wine capital, the book covers the Gironde, Dordogne, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, and Tarn-et-Garonne departments. This region is famed for its incredible wines, with Bordeaux alone producing an average of 650 million bottles annually from 8,800 chateaux.

The landscape here is diverse, featuring long sandy beaches along the Côte d'Argent, including Europe’s largest sand dune at its southern end, as well as forests and rolling hills. History is deeply embedded in the area, from the UNESCO-listed Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley to remarkable Palaeolithic art masterpieces like Lascaux, Font de Gaume, and Pech Merle.

Medieval castles, bastides, and historic towns such as Sarlat, Périgueux, Saint-Émilion, Cahors, and Figeac tell stories of the past. The region is dotted with hundreds of unspoiled villages and Romanesque churches, including the magnificent abbey at Moissac, making it a treasure trove for art and history lovers.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, with activities like cycling, sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking along numerous Grand Randonnées. Notably, three main routes of the Camino de Santiago pass through this region, alongside countless other scenic trails.

Food lovers will delight in the local specialties such as truffles, oysters, duck, saffron, strawberries, melons, walnuts, and orchard fruits. Weekly markets burst with fresh produce, while summers come alive with wine, music, and theatre festivals, making this guide an essential resource for exploring all the region has to offer.

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