DORDOGNE - France 2014 - page 659

English mid-July-Aug, call for exact times (tel. [phone], www.castelnaud.com . )
You'llfindafewrestaurantsnearthecastle'sparkinglotordownbelowattheriver'sedge.
Getting There: From the river, it's a steep 25-minute hike through the village to
the castle. Drivers can park in the €3 lot near the castle gate (10-minute walk uphill from
there). You can stop at Castelnaud on your canoe trip, or hike an hour from Beynac along
a riverside path (though it's tricky to follow in parts—it hugs the river as it passes through
campgrounds and farms—determined walkers do fine).

Sleeping near Castelnaud
This village, ideally situated between La Roque-Gageac and Beynac, has two excellent
B&B choices nearby (see map on here ) .
$$ La Tour de Cause is where California refugees Albert and Caitlin have found
their heaven, amid their renovated farmhouse with five top-quality rooms, a big pool,
and, best of all, a pétanque court (Sb-€75, Db-€93, includes breakfast, cash only, 2-night
minimum, en-suite bathrooms—some with immense walk-in showers, closed Nov-April,
guest computer, Wi-Fi, tel. [phone], US tel. Nov-March 707/527-5051,
www.latourdecause.com , [e-mail] ) . From the Dordogne River, cross the
bridge to Castelnaud, follow signs toward Daglan, then make a hard right turn in the ham-
let of Pont de Cause and park near their gate.
$ Le Lys de Castelnaud is run by French medieval enthusiasts Nathalie and Domi-
nique. Nathalie is a Joan of Arc fanatic and speaks sufficient English to explain her pas-
sion. The decor is steeped in the Middle Ages, with knights in armor, tapestries, and
more. The four rooms are well-priced (three have Castelnaud views) and have all the
modern conveniences (Db-€68, Tb/Qb-€90-110, cash only, guest computer, tel. 05 53 28
20 27, mobile [phone], www.chambres-dordogne.com , contact@chambres-dor-
dogne.com ) . It's well-signed at the foot of the road that leads across the river to Castel-
naud.

▲▲▲ Beynac
Four miles downstream from La Roque-Gageac, Beynac (bay-nak) is the other must-see,
picture-perfect Dordogne village. It comes with a big, foreboding bonus: one of the most
imposing castles in France.

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