Lanzac

The following morning we decided to continue to stay local to the Dordogne, and take in another French Passion, we would choose our venue once we decided where we would go.

Our encounter with Mr Northern Swimmer pointed us to have a look at a place called Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, and we were not disappointed, what a photogenic little village built into the cliffside, the river below.

Renowned to be one of France's most beautiful villages, with a harmonious group of beautiful stone houses with brown-tiled roofs and a fortified Gothic church standing on the edge of the high rock, this flower-filled place with narrow streets is lined with craft workshops, art galleries and cafes.

The ample camper van parking is on the cliff top looking down the valley.

After a pleasant hour or so wandering the village, exploring the shops, it was time to move on, our next destination close-by was Rocamadour, a place also built into the cliffs along the River Dordogne.

Parking again was ample the signage to follow easy again, the french are quite good at accommodating camper vans in tourist places, at no charge or just a small fee.

From the car park, you could walk down the winding steep hill to the town below, or you could opt for the funicular lift plus another more traditional life to take you down to the main street below. We took the lift!

Rocamadour is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has also been a crucial pilgrimage site in the "Way of Saint James".

Rising up 120 metres, this vertiginous Citadel of Faith is best summed up by an old local saying: ‘Houses on the river, churches on the houses, rocks on the churches, castle on the rock’.

Below the monastic buildings the town boasts 4 beautiful arched stone gates lies on the lowest slopes, alongside beautiful gold stone houses and lauzé roofs, the main street of quirky shops and fancy restaurants is entirely car free.

Our final stop along the River Dordogne was at Chateau de Beynac, next to Beynac-et-Cazenac, another pretty one street village built into the cliff... the stonework would not look out of a place in a traditional Cotswold village.

The local area full of walnut farms, the shops selling the orchard wares from huge bags of walnuts, oils to wooden items in every shape you may want or need.

It was getting late in the day and we had not made plans for where we would stay that evening, so out came the French Passion app - and a Duck & Walnut Farm chosen nearby, so headed a little further north to Ferme de Grezelade.

Our stay would be amongst the walnut trees in the orchard, the site just outside the charming village of Lanzac near Soulliac, it was also a duck farm, although it was not obvious as our nights stay was entirely duckless... not one heard or seen!

A bargain at 3 euros for the night, only payable if you wanted a shower!もっと詳しく