Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to the Eastern Dordogne
For the most scenic route from Sarlat to Rocamadour, follow the Dordogne River heading
east, driving about an hour upriver from Souillac, to connect these worthwhile stops: Mar-
tel, Carennac, Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux, Loubressac, and Autoire. Rocamadour
lies a short hop south of this area, as do the Tom Sawyer-like Gouffre de Padirac caves
(both described later in this chapter). Allow 45 minutes from Sarlat to Souillac, then 15
minutestoMartel,and20minutestoCarennac(ChâteaudeCastelnau-BretenouxandLou-
bressacarewithin10minutesofCarennac).FromCarennac,it's25minutessouthtoRoca-
madour. On Mondays, these towns are very quiet, and most shops are closed.
• From Souillac's center, take D-803 east to...
Martel:
This well-preserved medieval town of 1,500 souls and seven towers offers a
good chance to stretch your legs and stock up on picnic items (market days are Wed and
Sat onthe atmospheric Place des Consuls). Neither onariver norcrowning ahilltop, Mar-
tel is largely overlooked by tourists. Pick up a copy of the TI's well-done walking-tour
pamphlet (inEnglish, TIclosed 12:00-13:00 andSun),andenjoy the handsome pedestrian
area lined with historic buildings. The walking tour starts at Martel's terrific main square
(Place des Consuls)—with a medieval covered market and reasonable lunch cafés—and
connectsthetown'sseventowersandthefortress-likechurchofSt.Maur.Thetownissaid
to be named for Charles Martel, Charlemagne's grandfather and role model, who stopped
the Moors' advance into northern France in 732.
