| Some of the key attractions to visitors to the | | | | Europe, there are several interesting cave systems |
| Dordogne region of France include: | | | | and prehistoric relics to visit around Les Eyzies. |
| Lascaux caves. | | | | Les Eyzies is also home to the National Prehistory |
| The prehistoric paintings at Lascaux are probably the | | | | Museum which houses one of the world's most |
| most renowned cave paintings in the world. The cave | | | | complete collections of prehistoric artefacts. Just a |
| paintings you can now visit are a copy of the | | | | couple of hundred metres from the National |
| prehistoric paintings contained in the original Lascaux | | | | Prehistory museum is Abri Pataud, a cro-magnon |
| caves, 200 metres away, because human breath | | | | shelter dating back almost 40,000 years. The |
| was damaging the originals. The replica paintings have | | | | cave-lined Vézère valley has been |
| been made using the same materials and techniques | | | | classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO |
| as were used for the original paintings, 19,000 years | | | | Chateaux |
| ago. | | | | In the Dordogne region there are reputed to be 1001 |
| The Lascaux cave paintings are mostly pictures of | | | | chateaux. Many of the most magnificent are open to |
| large animals, including the 'auroch' - a now extinct | | | | the public. Start perhaps with the Chateau de |
| early relative of the ox (it is thought that the Auroch | | | | Commarque, Chateau de Castelnaud, or (my personal |
| was worshiped as a sacred beast in prehistoric | | | | favourite) Chateau de Beynac, set high above the |
| times). Truly a remarkable experience, and you | | | | Dordogne river and the attractive village of Beynac. |
| quickly forget that you are looking at modern day | | | | Each has its own impressive tale to tell of centuries |
| replicas. | | | | of conflict, often between the French and the English |
| Sarlat | | | | during the Hundred Years War, and each has its own |
| Sarlat is a beautiful medieval town a few kilometres | | | | magnificent views over the surrounding countryside. |
| north of the River Dordogne. The old town, dating | | | | Most beautiful villages |
| from both medieval and renaissance times is a | | | | There are several villages in the Dordogne region that |
| pleasure to visit, especially during the spring and | | | | have received the prestigious 'Most Beautiful Villages |
| autumn, or early in the morning. If you can catch the | | | | of France' award. These include Monpazier, a |
| early morning sunshine on the yellow sandstone | | | | perfectly preserved medieval bastide town to the |
| buildings, so much the better. | | | | south of the region; La Roque-Gageac, a picture |
| Wander through the back streets around the | | | | postcard village spread out along the Dordogne river, |
| cathedral to get a feel for how the town must have | | | | with troglodyte dwellings and a tropical garden |
| been 500 years ago. | | | | spreading up the cliff behind; and Beynac, mentioned |
| Les Eyzies | | | | above for its castle but equally attractive as a village |
| Les Eyzies is at the centre of a very beautiful area, | | | | in its own right |
| in the Vezere Valley, with numerous cliff and rock | | | | Several other villages in the immediate vicinity also |
| formations, surrounded by rivers, hills and tranquil | | | | have the award. |
| countryside. At the centre of prehistoric life in | | | | |