La Roque Gageac

Just when we think we have seen the most amazing French village ever, we visit another one. La Roque Gageac, built into the cliffs beside the Dordogne, is right up there with the best of them.

The homes built high up into the cliffs - you can just see the window openings - date from the viking days and were originally built as a refuge for the locals when the vikings launched raids from the Dordogne. The houses below these date from the 14th century.

The river Dordogne was for centuries the commercial hub of the valley and river boats known as 'gabares' transported goods to towns and villages along its banks.

We cruised on a replica gabare and had great views of the village and nearby chateaus.Read more