The Dordogne lies in south-west France, in the administrative region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, between the wild uplands of the Massif Central in the east and the flat fertile countryside of the Gironde and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. And perhaps the English have a particular affinity for this area because for several centuries it belonged to England, who fought bitterly to retain it in the Hundred Years’ War. With its mild climate and delicious food, it has become a popular tourist destination for French and foreigners alike, and many English have made it their second home, finding it not unlike the rural England of the past: peaceful and unspoilt, with no big, bustling towns and motorways clogged with traffic. It is a land of great scenic variety, from rolling wooded hills and fertile valleys to barren upland plateaus and limestone cliffs riddled with caves. The Dordogne is one of the most beautiful areas of France, with at its centre the river that gave its name to the department. ![]() Spring blossom near Lalinde (Walk 12): photo Richard Saynor ![]() In addition, the many new photos will illustrate to readers the variety and beauty of this part of France, loved by so many English.Ī house on the outskirts of Limeuil (Walk 15) INTRODUCTION Each walk is accompanied by a new sketch map which overlays a recorded GPS track and key features on a colourful Cicerone base map. The general introduction has been completely revised and the walks re-structured into four sections, each with its own introduction. In addition, we have added four completely new walks, including a flat, easy walk along the Dordogne at Bergerac, in order to give a feel for the importance of the river that has given its name to this department. When we started to do these walks again, we discovered that some of our previous routes had considerably changed, whereas others had been re-routed in the opposite direction – not a problem for route finding, but it meant that the walk itself had to be written up from scratch. In the past two years all the walks have been re-done by ourselves or by a few helpers, some of whom have themselves made the Dordogne their home. ![]() Despite this, the crowds rapidly fall away once you start walking, and you are soon alone.Īs revisers, we have had great pleasure in preparing this new edition and, in so doing, re-discovering this beautiful part of France. In addition, tourist offices have become increasingly aware that walking is a popular activity, and have made a considerable effort to create more walking trails, and to waymark them clearly. Since the first edition of Walking in the Dordogne was published in 2004, the area has become even more popular with British visitors, many of whom have made it their second home. The gardens of the Château des Milandes (Walk 25) PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
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