The Vezere Valley» Vezere Valley Dordogne France

Cave with a View

admin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:07:44 +0000

This wonderful cave, nicely tucked away on a rock ledge just outside Les Eyzies de Tayac. This cave has a fantastic 180 degree view of the Vezere Valley. This cave is on high grounds, and you can see for miles around.

This cave can be explored on Walking Dordogne’s ” Valley of Caves” trip and “Ode to the Neanderthal” trip

www.walkingdordogne.com

Madeleine

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:16:54 +0000

Why did men settle on the banks of the Vezere for over 400, 000 years?
First of all for the quality of life. But also because nature always provided food and shelter.
Under the effect of erosion, the limestone cliffs hollowed out. These shelters were used by all the men who followed one another through the Aquitaine. Prehistoric man found there an easy natural dwelling place and in medieval times, fortresses and villages were built there.
At the bottom of the well-positioned cliff along the Vezere River(South, Southwest) groups of hunters settled under a rock shelter. The community grew and was continnously inhabited until the end of the ice era, 10,000 years ago.

The Madeleine and lots more can be seen on Walking Dordogne’s ” Canoe & Hike the Vezere” trip and

www.walkingdordogne.com

Canoeing the Vezere

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:25:07 +0000

Some of the nicest prehistoric sites, caves and troglodytes can be found directly along the Vezere River, tucked away among the sheer cliffs that dominate certain parts of the Vezere River.
Canoeing combined with hiking is often the only way to reach these sites.

These sites can be seen on Walking Dordogne’s ” Canoe & Hike the Vezere” trip and

www.walkingdordogne.com

Les Eyzies 2

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:52:16 +0000

Les Eyzies de Tayac, situated in the heart of the Vezere Valley, an unspoilt area of great natural beauty with rolling hills, tranquil rivers and fascinating cliff and rock formations It is home to the world’s most beautiful caves, troglodytes and other prehistoric artifacts.
Les Eyzies is the home to the National Prehistoric Museum which houses one of the world’s most complete collections of prehistoric artefacts. It is also home to famous attractions such as Font de Gaume, Grand Roc, Abri de Cromagnon, Combarelles, St. Martin of Tayac and lots more. It is here in Les Eyzies ( Abri de Cro Magnon) that the link was discovered between Prehistoric Man and Modern Man

Vezere River Dwellings

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:58:20 +0000

This cluster of troglodytes are about 15 – 20 meters high in the middle of a sheer rock face, that overlooks the Vezere River. These dwellings would have been used to hide from invaders coming up the river or the valley.
These troglodytes would have housed numerous large families.

These dwellings can be seen on Walking Dordogne’s ” Canoe & Hike the Vezere” trip and

www.walkingdordogne.com

Neanderthals Sunset

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:26:20 +0000

The view from a cave high on a prehistoric ridge looking over the vezere valley as the sun sets.
There are numerous caves on this rock overhang with clear evidence that these caves and shelters were well used by our Prehistoric ancestors.

This cave can be explored on Walking Dordogne’s ” Valley of Caves” trip and “Ode to the Neanderthal” trip

www.walkingdordogne.com

Saint Martin of Tayac

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:55:01 +0000

In the early 12th century 6 Monks from the Monastery of Paunat were travelling between Monasteries when one of the Monks became very ill, they set up camp in Tayac near a water source. The monk was dieing, but miraculously healed after drinking the water from the “Tayac Source”. To the Monks of Paunat this was a “Sign” and round about 1123 they started building the magnificent and fortified church of Tayac, they called it “St Martin”. At the same time, the Monks of Paunat started working the land in this lush Vezere valley, they built the farmhouse / monastery, which is now “Ferme de Tayac” that has been completely renovated, and is now a lovely B&B opposite the church. For hundreds of years the Monks lived here and worked the lands, bit by bit houses were built against the rock. The water from the “Tayac Source” was taken to other surrounding Monasteries, for it’s healing powers, Tayac was thriving. Two centuries later, things took a turn, wars were breaking out, armies were constantly attacking areas and strongholds. Religion and all that went with it lost it’s power, and very slowly the life in and around Tayac became what it is today. St. Martin still stands proud, and is without doubt the nicest Fortified Church in the Perigord, the “Tayac Source” is still there, although no longer in use.

Two Storey Cave

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:07:09 +0000

This cave is one of my personal favorites, it is the only cave I have seen that is two storeys, two entrances above each other. It does become one cave about 20 meters into the cave.

This cave can be explored on Walking Dordogne’s ” Valley of Caves” trip and “Ode to the Neanderthal” trip

www.walkingdordogne.com

Charlies Cave

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:29:12 +0000

High on a ridge overlooking the Vezere Valley. This cave which is about 60 meters long, with various chambers

This cave and lots more can be explored on Walking Dordogne’s “Valley of Caves” tour

www.walkingdordogne.com

Troglodyte 2

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:58:41 +0000

This Troglodyte is in the Beune Valley, near Chateau du Commargue.

This Troglodyte and lots more can be explored on Walking Dordogne’s “Cro Magnon, Romans and Templars” tour