La Roque-Gageac : a must-visit during your holidays in the Dordogne

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The Dordogne river is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area. It winds through the French landscape of the Périgord towards the Atlantic coast. There are several touristic villages known for their beautiful location and characteristic medieval houses, located along the river that flows through the Dordogne valley. At strategic points, often at places where the river bends, fortresses and castles were built during Hundred Years War to protect the area. The large number of holiday parks in the Dordogne shows that this is a popular region. This certainly applies to the section between the well-known towns of Domme and Beynac-et-Cazenac. In between these places is the village of La Roque-Gageac with a unique location between the river and towering limestone cliffs. The village belongs to "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" and for good reason. There are plenty of sights and you have beautiful views over the valley. Many go to La Roque-Gageac for a day during their holiday in France. It is located near to your holiday home in the Dordogne.

La Roque-Gageac in the Dordogne Valley

La Roque Gageac in the Dordogne Valley is one of the most beautiful villages in France and offers a combination of nature, history and spectacular views. The characteristic elongated village consists mainly of a main street with beautiful houses built in front of the high rock face. The village has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was once an impregnable stronghold during the Hundred Years War, mainly due to the impressive Fort de La Roque-Gageac, built in the 12th century. In addition, you will find the Manoir de Tarde, a historic manor house that once belonged to Jean Tarde, a humanist and botanist who was a friend of Galileo. The Château de la Malartrie and the Romanesque church are also eye-catchers. Visitors can enjoy walks through cobbled streets, traditional boat trips on the Dordogne or a visit to the exotic garden complex. The village has picturesque streets, a village square and offers numerous photogenic views thanks to its location between river and cliff. Climb to higher parts of the village for panoramic views over the Dordogne valley. Thanks to its southern location and shelter from the north wind, the village has a microclimate that feels almost Mediterranean. This climate makes it possible for exotic plants such as banana trees, citrus trees, and palm trees to thrive, giving the village a unique appearance. A visit to La Roque-Gageac and the region is a must when on holiday in the Dordogne.

Highlights La Roque-Gageac

  • Troglodyte Fort
  • Limestone rock face
  • Château de Malartrie
  • Manoir de Tarde
  • Romanesque church
  • Medieval houses
  • Exotic garden
  • Tropical plants and trees
  • Cobbled streets
  • Spectacular views
  • Dordogne valley
  • Sailing on a Gabarre
  • Canoeing on the Dordogne

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Troglodyte fortress of La Roque-Gageac

At an altitude of 120 meters above the Dordogne river lies an impressive medieval building: the Troglodyte Fort of La Roque-Gageac. The fortress is partly built into the limestone cliffs of the Périgord Noir and served as a strategic defensive stronghold during conflicts such as the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion. The structure uses natural cavities in the cliff, which makes it unique as a troglodyte fortress. This natural environment offered protection against enemies and extreme weather conditions. There was a 180-degree panoramic view of the Dordogne valley which gave a natural defensive position at that height. The fortification was built to control the ships that pass on the Dordogne and served as a refuge for residents. During its heyday, it included several noble houses, outbuildings and a fountain. The fort had a moat, thick walls, loopholes, watchtowers and a steep wooden staircase with 140 steps that gave access to the complex. The Troglodyte Fort at La Roque-Gageac was an advanced and strategically designed structure, which made the fort virtually impregnable in the Middle Ages. After years of decay due to landslides and collapses, the fort was restored in 2019  by Jean-Max Touron. Since June 2020, it has been open to visitors with exhibits on its history and a 3D reconstruction of the medieval complex. Nowadays, the Troglodyte Fort is an important historical site that informs visitors on the rich past of La Roque-Gageac. It is quite a climb up, suitable for visitors in good health. At the end of the day, you can rest and relax your muscles in the private pool of your holiday home.

Château de la Malartrie

From whichever side you enter La Roque-Gageac in the Périgord Noir, the castle is a big eye-catcher. It is located on the edge of the village where the Dordogne river bends. From the castle there is a beautiful view over La Roque-Gageac and the Dordogne. It has a rich history and unique architecture. In the 12th century, a leper hospital, known as a "maladrerie" in French, was built on this site just outside the walls of La Roque-Gageac. It housed and nursed people who suffered from leprosy in isolation from the rest of the village. At the end of the 19th century, the current castle was built by Count Auguste Félix Charles de Beaupoil de Saint-Aulaire, a French ambassador to the United Kingdom, Spain and Romania. A neo-Renaissance castle designed by architect Louis-Henri Laffiliée was built on the site. Construction was completed in 1920. The castle is built in neo-Renaissance style, with a main building, a round tower and a square tower. Both towers are equipped with a defensive platform. The façade has large cross windows and decorative elements characteristic of Renaissance architecture. The building has a gold-coloured stone which gives the sunlight and the castle a beautiful appearance. The castle is privately owned and not open to visitors.

Microclimate in La Roque-Gageac

One of the most beautiful villages in France, La Roque-Gageac is known for its unique microclimate. Located near to your holiday home in the Dordogne, this village has an almost Mediterranean climate. This warm climate is caused by the special location of the village. This picturesque village is located on the north bank of the Dordogne and is built against impressive limestone cliffs. The southern orientation of the rock and the houses ensures that they receive maximum sunlight. The large limestone rock face stores the heat of the sun. This heat is gradually released at night and during the winter period, so that it cools down less in the vicinity of the rock face. This creates a tropical climate in the vicinity of the warm rock face. This microclimate has a direct influence on the flowers, plants and trees that grow in the village. As a result, La Roque-Gageac has an exotic garden with Mediterranean and subtropical plants such as palm trees, banana trees, cacti, bougainvillea, orange and lemon trees. This garden gives La Roque-Gageac a tropical feel. You can walk through this garden and observe all sorts of fruits that you wouldn’t see growing anywhere else in France. This microclimate, together with its unique location against the cliff face, makes La Roque-Gageac one of the most popular touristic villages in the Dordogne valley.

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Dordogne La Roque Gageac 1 vakantie Frankrijk Sarlat luxe villa zwembad Perigord.jpg

Manoir de Tarde

The Manoir de Tarde in La Roque-Gageac, is a historical monument dating back to the 15th century. It originally served as a residence for the bishops of Sarlat and later as a family home.  It was then inhabited by Jean Tarde who was a scientist, had an observatory built, had contact with Galileo Galilei and was known for its maps of Aquitaine. Later it became the residence of philosopher Gabriel Tarde, known for his influential sociological and philosophical studies. This 15th-century mansion, also known as the Château de Tarde, has a square main building with a striking round tower, covered with slate. The façade has vertical window frames and a triangular façade. There is an arched passage under which a path runs on the ground floor, which is typical of the architecture of the time. Manoir de Tarde shows the welfare and cultural development of La Roque-Gageac in different periods. The building is a historic monument but is unfortunately not open to the public.

Romanesque church in La Roque-Gageac

The Romanesque church of Sainte-Marie in La Roque-Gageac is a historic structure dating back to the 12th century and is a magnificent example of medieval religious architecture. The church, located halfway up the steep cliffs, has not only a spiritual significance but also a spectacular view over the Dordogne valley. The church originally served as a chapel for the nearby castle and was later transformed into a parish church. It was a refuge for villagers during conflicts such as the Hundred Years War. The church is built in Romanesque style, characterized by sober and sturdy structures. It has a steep roof covered with slate, which is typical of the region, a simple but striking bell gable with two openings for bells and a sober interior. The church is open to visitors.

Things to do near La Roque-Gageac

  • There are several hiking trails around La Roque-Gageac that lead to castles, forests and other picturesque places.
  • Canoeing and boat trips on the Dordogne are popular activities.
  • The traditional Gabarre boat tours offer a relaxing way to explore the landscape.
  • For a unique experience, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride or even go skydiving to admire the region from the air.
  • Cycling routes such as Sarlat-La Roque-Gageac offer beautiful tours through the countryside.
  • You can go swimming or do other water sports activities in various places in the Dordogne.

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