A Taste Of Perigord With Marita Van Der Vyver 2025

DAY 1: SUN 18Th MAY 2024 – BORDEAUX
Arrival at Bordeaux airport/train station met and transferred to the hotel.

Bordeaux is a vibrant city often called the ‘mini Paris’. While Bordeaux is much smaller than Paris, the city’s elegant 18th-century buildings and charming streets of the Old Town resemble that of Paris. The Old Town is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and within this protected area are 350 buildings listed as Historical Monuments.

Bordeaux is also renowned for its incredible wines and has been crowned the World Capital of Wine. Not only is Bordeaux worth visiting for its wine but also for its exceptional food scene, with over 9 Michelin Star restaurants in the city centre.

The wine capital unveils its specialities thanks to our Bordeaux Food Tour. We take you into the heart of Bordeaux life for a local experience which will prove to be original, friendly, and tasty! The city is home to one of the best markets in France – the Marché des Capucins. This bustling indoor market has a rich array of fresh local produce, cheeses, meats, fresh seafood, and restaurants where you can try some local specialties like oysters, charcuterie, and Bordeaux wine.
Rue Sainte Catherine ,the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, stretching over 1.2 kilometres through the heart of the city. The street is lined with large department stores, such as the Galeries Lafayette, and popular brands like Zara and H&M.
Welcome dinner including drinks.
Overnight: Bordeaux

DAY 2: MON 19TH MAY – ARCACHON
Arcachon, only 1-hour from Bordeaux on the Atlantic Ocean where Cape Ferret is famous for caviar and oysters. Our visit starts with a cruise on the bay and oyster tasting. On board the oyster yacht Itzela we have a great boat trip of 3 hours, with oysters and white wine tasting on board. Then, the oyster yacht Itzela will drop us off at the “village de l’Herbe” for lunch.
Lunch at one of the typical oyster houses – included
After lunch we board a private water taxi for about 15/20 min along the coast of Cap Ferret, back to the main pier of Cap Ferret.

In the afternoon, we head to the Dune du Pilat – highest sand Dune in Europe. From the top, you can enjoy a breath-taking view of the bay and the surrounding ocean before we return to Bordeaux.
Dinner at leisure
Overnight: Bordeaux

Day 3: TUES 20th MAY – BORDEAUX -LESTEVENIE -BERGERAC.
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for Bergerac. En route we stop at the CHATEAUX LESTEVENIE which is owned by two South Africans, for a midday wine tasting and light lunch.
After lunch we continue to BERGERAC in the heart of the Périgord Pourpre, one of the four regions that make up the historical and cultural region of Périgord. The choice of purple colour represents the famous wines of the region, the production of which dates to the Roman conquest. Bergerac is known for its old town’s half-timbered buildings and the castles that dot the surrounding countryside. In the town, the Maison des Vins showcases the region’s wine. It’s housed in the Cloître des Récollets, a 17th-century cloister. Nearby, the Musée de Tabac documents the history of tobacco. We have a short, guided tour of the city before dinner.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Bergerac

DAY 4: WED 21st MAY -BERGERAC -MILANDES – LA ROQUE GAGEAC – SARLAT
After breakfast we drive to the Chateaux Milandes. Built in 1489, this charming castle with its magnificent Gothic features is a great example of Renaissance architecture. However, what makes this castle most famous is because Josephine Baker bought it. An exhibition is dedicated to her life
Lunch at leisure
After lunch we continue to La Roque-Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Nestled on the edge of the Dordogne River it is an amazing village with its brown roof tiles, typical rooftops and breath-taking landscapes. The best way to take in all this beauty is to board a cruise on a traditional wooden boat. La Roque-Gageac is one of the most beloved sites in France, on a par with the Mont-Saint Michel and Rocamadour

The final destination is Sarlat – the most famous town in the region and one of the most renowned and visited in France. It is also one of the most attractive. Sarlat is in the region called the Perigord Noir well-known as a gastronomic centre, particularly for foie gras and truffles.
The town is known to feature the highest density of listed historical buildings in France! As you stroll through the paved streets of this medieval town, remember to raise your eyes and observe the architectural treasures around you.

Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Sarlat

DAY 5: THU 22nd MAY. SARLAT -LES EYZIES – SAINT LEON SUR VEZERE – CHATEAU LOSSE
Today on the way to Saint Leon Sur Vezere we visit a walnut farm. Located in the cradle of the walnut, the Noyeraies du Lander extends over 50 hectares, of which 17 hectares comprise of walnut trees. In this orchard, they exclusively produce the Franquette variety. This is the most widely grown variety in Périgord, renowned for its productivity and incomparable taste.
We then continue to visit LES EYZIES, A pretty town famous for its prehistory, grottes, caves and troglodyte dwellings. The national prehistory museum brings together the biggest Palaeolithic collection in France and second largest in Europe.
The National Prehistory Museum was once situated in the castle which is built into the overhanging rock. The museum is now in a modern purpose-built building below. Amongst its many exhibits is the skeleton of a newborn Neanderthal which is one of the most intact Neanderthal skeletons in the world, found in a prehistoric shelter nearby. As well as the excellent Prehistory Museum the International Centre of Prehistory (Pole International de la Prehistoire) is just down the road and provides a wealth of information and displays about prehistoric times. It is free to visit too! Also, just a couple of hundred metres from the National Prehistory Museum is Abri Pataud, a cro-magnon shelter dating back almost 40,000 years
As part of the visit, you can go onto the upper terrace and see the castle and the remains of the troglodyte dwellings up close and the iconic statue of Primitive Man which stands above the village.
Lunch at leisure.
After lunch we drive to the Chateau de Losse and visit the medieval castle and gardens. Château de Losse is a splendid residence built in the 16th century on the site of a medieval fortress. The Château de Losse and its gardens have been listed as French Historical House and Site since 1928.
Dinner: at the Michelin* restaurant “Le Petit Léon” in ST LEON SUR VEZERE where the chef is also an ex-South African
Overnight: Sarlat

DAY 6: FRI 23rd MAY. TRUFFLE FARM – ROCAMADOUR -COLONGE LA ROUGE
After breakfast we visit a Truffle Farm “La Sauça Vielha”. During this visit you will discover the various species of trees that can receive truffles; you will also learn about the different varieties of truffles that are harvested in France. Caving demonstrations are given in front of you, and the visit ends with a tasting of their products.
We then continue to ROCAMADOUR. The town was once a significant pilgrimage site and a centre of religious power. According to legend, Rocamadour was founded by Saint Amadour, a hermit who discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave. Over the centuries, Rocamadour became a place of intense devotion, attracting pilgrims from around the world.
Time at Leisure in the holy village of Rocamadour, a Centre of Christianity. Built on 3 successive levels, Rocamadour is a place of legend and history where old stone houses, majestic towers and a castle that cascades off the cliff into the Alzou Canyon.

Lunch included at a local restaurant. (taste the Rocamadour cheese)

The town is also famous for its very distinctive Rocamadour cheese. Despite being so tiny (not much bigger than a silver dollar), Rocamadour cheese is full of flavour and personality. It weighs just over one ounce per piece and is one of the smallest goat cheeses produced in France.

After lunch we continue to COLLONGES-LA-ROUGE. From its berry red walls and torrent of flowers to its rich heritage, Collonges-la-Rouge promises a ‘Kodak moment’ in every corner. Collonges-la-Rouge is an extraordinary village that seems straight out of a fairy tale. With its houses with red facades, its cobbled streets and its medieval atmosphere, Collonges-la-Rouge offers a unique and captivating travel experience.
Dinner at leisure
Overnight: Sarlat

DAY 7: SAT 24th MAY 2024. BEYNAC-ET-CAZENAC, LE PECH, THE MARQUEYSSAC GARDENS.
After a leisurely breakfast we have the morning to explore the Sarlat market which sells local delicacies like foie gras and cheese. A Great open market takes over the most of Sarlat on Saturdays.
Later we drive to a duck farm, Ferme Le Pech Viel, where you are introduced to the breeding of fat ducks and can taste some of the produce.

We then continue to The CHÂTEAU DE MARQUEYSSAC, a 17th-century château with notable gardens. After extensive restoration work, Marqueyssac was opened to the public in March 1997. Today, it is the most visited garden in Périgord. The park, designed for walking, overlooks the entire Dordogne Valley with its chalky cliffs. Marqueyssac Gardens is a listed site with over 6 kilometres of walkways surrounded by 150 000 hand-pruned Boxwood.

Lunch at leisure at the Chateau
After Lunch we return to Sarlat for dinner.
Farewell dinner including drinks.
Overnight: Sarlat

DAY 8: SUN 25th MAY: SARLAT – SAINT EMILION – DEPART BORDEAUX
After breakfast we depart Perigord as we make our way back to Bordeaux with a stop in the historic
Saint-Émilion, a medieval city located at the crossroads of Bordeaux and Périgord. Saint-Emilion is a charming medieval village located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine area. It is a unique site were world-famous wineries, fine wine, beautiful architecture and great monuments are a perfect match. The city became an important landmark for many of the pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago pilgrim way to Spain. The cave of Saint Emilion inspired the construction of the most famous & impressive monument of Saint Emilion, the 12th-century Monolithic church. As its name suggests it is carved from one stone. It’s the largest Monolithic church in Europe and its construction required the extraction of 15 000 m3 of stone.

Afternoon. Transfer to Bordeaux airport /train station for your flight to Paris and depart France.

END OF OUR SERVICES

RATES- LAND PACKAGE COST
Per person sharing: EUR 3050 (± R58,800)
Single Supplement: EUR 500 (±R9,700)

The South African Rand rate quoted above is based on the average exchange rate with the Euro. Should the rate of exchange increase to above EUR 1.00 / ZAR 20.20 we reserve the right to adjust the price accordingly. All flights are excluded.

Deposit: 30% deposit upon confirmation, remaining balance to be paid 60 days prior

INCLUDED
– Meet and greet upon arrival.
– Services of a qualified English-speaking local driver and guide throughout the tour.
– All transport in a luxury 16-seater air-conditioned mini coach.
– 7 nights’ accommodation in four/three-star hotels, taxes and levies
– 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners.
– All sightseeing and excursions as specified.
– Marita van der Vyver as hostess on the tour.

EXCLUDED
– All international flights and airport taxes (quoted and booked separately).
– Visa Fees (± R2174 in Capago fee for South African Passport Holders)
– Driver, guide, and local escort gratuities. (€50 PP)
– Drinks and meals not specified.
– Telephone bill, laundry, and any items of a personal nature.
– Comprehensive travel insurance. (Ask for a quote)
– Any items not specified.
NB! Comprehensive travel insurance compulsory before your first payment or when buying your airline ticket!

FLIGHTS
International flights between Johannesburg / Cape Town via Paris to Bordeaux on Air France/KLM. Approximate total flight cost per person including airport taxes: start from
R 16, 500 per person.

Flight costs are an estimate only and can only be confirmed on the day of booking as it is subject to airport tax fluctuations.

NOTES
– This tour requires a minimum of 6 guests to offer it at the quoted price.
– Maximum tour size is 6 guests.
– South African Nationals require a visa to enter France. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after travel date, with sufficient blank pages.
– Prices for flights, airport taxes, may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be payable by the traveller.

For more information contact : res@rufaro.co.za