Day 33 - Castelnaud and Beynac, Dordogne

The drive between Rocamadour and where we are staying for two nights along the Dordogne River was 90 minutes.  It is amazing how much two seats in the same car can have completely different views.

Driver's view:  stressful, back-country, single lane, windy roads where you don't know if a car is coming the other way.

Passenger's view:  delightful, picturesque, unspoiled countryside and romantic, quaint villages

Perhaps both views are accurate but there is actually a name for the passenger's view: "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" - The Most Beautiful Villages of France.

One of the many one-street villages we drove through

In between the villages are fields

Lots of cheerful sunflower fields!

This area of France is also known for its many caves.  Webber popular vote was "no caves".  It was also no castles, but we went anyway - to Chateau de Castelnaud - because it has consistent "best castle" reviews.

Chateau de Castelnaud

We parked down in the village and walked up to the castle. 

Once you get inside the castle, you continue to spiral up at least four  flights of stairs; there are many levels at this castle!

The rooms display warfare from the Middle Ages, and the films do a great job telling about the weapons (English subtitles).

It was interesting to learn the details about Medieval weapons

Finally at the top - standing next to a trebuchet

The village where we are staying has a castle as well - which you can see down the river from Castelnaud.

We spent the rest of the afternoon chilling in our icy room in Beynac - a refreshing option when it is 100 degrees!

Beynac-et-Cazenac

Then we went to Domme for dinner.  It is an old bastide (fortified town) high on a hill surrounded by walls.

Domme is known for its view over the valley

Domme's view is best from its Belvedere de la Barre

90% of France's foie gras (goose liver) is produced in the Dordogne so it is sold everywhere here

La Roque-Gageac is one of the most photographed places in south-western France.  We stopped for ice cream and a closer view.

After returning from dinner, Greg and I walked all the way up to the top of Beynac to get a closer look at its castle and view.

Beynac Castle

When you walk all the way to the top of the town, past the castle and cemetery, you are treated to this view.  I think it is the best one yet!

Logistics:
- Castelnaud supposedly has afternoon crowds.  It was fairly empty when we got there at 10am.  I can't imagine why anyone would want to visit in the 100 degree heat of the afternoon.