Sarlat private tour: Dordogne Valley castles and villages

Four hours through the Dordogne's medieval heart, on your own schedule

A private guided tour departing from Sarlat that visits Beynac castle (or Castelnaud in winter), the cliff-built village of La Roque Gageac, the panoramic hilltop of Domme, and the medieval village of Montfort with its 12th-century Romanesque church. Pickup is included from Sarlat at 1:30pm or Les Eyzies at 1:10pm. The tour runs four hours with a live guide in English or French and bottled water provided. Walking through the villages is the standard route, though photo stops can replace the walks on request, and a river cruise option is available April through October.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Dordogne Valley highlights

• Visit Beynac castle and village
• Tour Castelnaud castle
• Explore La Roque Gageac village
• Visit hilltop village of Domme
• Walk around Domme village
• Visit medieval village of Montfort
• See 12th-century romanesque church
• Return to Sarlat-la-Canéda

The experience

Beynac castle anchors the morning: a fortress built into the limestone above the Dordogne river, where Richard the Lionheart once held court. Your guide leads you through the castle and the village below it, then moves on to La Roque Gageac, a settlement so tightly woven into the cliff face that houses seem to grow from the rock itself. The river runs directly below, and the village has no car traffic. You walk the narrow lanes on foot.

From there, the tour climbs to Domme, a bastide town perched on a hilltop with views that stretch across the valley in all directions. You walk around the village to absorb the local atmosphere, then continue to Montfort, a smaller medieval settlement, before stopping at a 12th-century Romanesque church built on a site of ancient Celtic worship. The route ends back in Sarlat-la-Canéda.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats your group privately. Pickup happens at a fixed time (1:30pm from Sarlat or 1:10pm from Les Eyzies), and the whole outing takes four hours. If you prefer to skip the village walks and stop for photographs instead, that can be arranged on request. Between April and October, you can add a river cruise to the itinerary as an optional extra.

What’s included

• Pickup from Sarlat at 1:30pm or Les Eyzies at 1:10pm.
• private guided tour of Beynac castle (or Castelnaud in winter) and the villages of La Roque Gageac, Domme, and Montfort.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:30Last departure this season: 4 Jul 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 12.50

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Exploreo24

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want to visit all three Golden Triangle castles and villages in one afternoon, with a guide leading you through each stop rather than navigating between them yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Beynac castle like when you arrive?

Beynac is a medieval fortress built directly into the limestone cliff above the Dordogne river, with a private guided tour of the castle and the village below it included in the itinerary. From January to mid-February, when Beynac closes seasonally, the tour visits Castelnaud castle instead.

Can I walk through the villages, or are they just photo stops?

Walking through La Roque Gageac, Domme, and Montfort is the standard route, so you move through the villages on foot to experience the local atmosphere. On request, these walks can be replaced with photo stops instead.

What time does the tour leave Sarlat, and how long does it take?

Pickup from Sarlat happens at 1:30pm (or 1:10pm from Les Eyzies if you start there), and the tour runs four hours total, ending back in Sarlat-la-Canéda.

Is there an option to add a river cruise to this tour?

A river cruise can be added to the itinerary as an optional extra between April and October. This is available on request when you book.

What's included in the tour price?

Pickup from Sarlat or Les Eyzies, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or French, and bottled water are all included. The guide provides live commentary throughout the day.