Can these fairy tale villages be any more scenic and lovely?

Provincial Villages of the Tarn and Dordogne

Basking in the scenic Dordogne Valley three years ago for Heather and William’s wedding, we knew we had to return and visit some of the Les Plus Beaux Villages of France. And each one we strolled through was just as spectacular as the last one. From scenic vistas cut into cliff faces to hilltop villages stacked on a mountaintop, each turn around the bend afforded an eye opening gobsmacked visual delight to this wonderful birthday drive.

Cordes-sur-Ciel – Making a quick pit stop for an espresso, Rick and I enjoyed a morning view of this village in the Tarn stacked in a cluster on a hill. Built in 1222, Cordes was our first stop on the drive from Gaillac on D922.

 

 

Saint-Martin-Laguepie – D47 rode us into this quaint town featuring an arched bridge over the Aveyron River and a crumbling castle atop the hill.

 

 

Najac – D594 wound us into this provincial village which appeared so deserted and made the town even more intriguing. A castle silo sits on the hilltop and the winding cobblestone streets alight with flowers were very endearing.

 

 

Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val – D958 took us right into another half timbered town and another flower bedecked medieval bridge.

 

 

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – As we rounded the bend overlooking the Lot River headed north on D42, we came to a screeching halt. This town built on the cliff was bathed in evening sunset shadows and was extremely charming. Walking the alleys of cobblestones, we felt like we were on a movie set, and the “tourists” had already returned. It made me love quiet Najac all the more!

 

 

Beynac-et-Cazenac – How can you not love this town on the Dordogne River with the ancient castle atop the hill? It will forever be one of my favorites.

 

 

La Roque Gageac – A birthday dinner at La Belle Etoile, a Michelin restaurant was a treat. We ate here on our first visit and this restaurant in the medieval town overlooking the Dordogne was a visual delight again. Not to mention the grilled fish and the steak with carmelized cream sauce.

 

 

Segur-le-Chateau – Window ornaments crafted of pottery and half timbered homes dotted this quaint village on the L’Auvezere River. Another photo stop for Rick and I.

 

 

Belcastel – A drive through France is not complete without a visit to the castle bedecked medieval village with cobbled streets and lauze-roofed homes. Nestled inside a valley, this town evokes another era. Although it technically is not in the Dordogne, it is one of our favorite locations.

 

 

Hautefort Chateau – A slight turn of the head found me staring at this fabulous castle. We had to find a way in to visit this outstanding feature on a hill. In a region that had over 1,000 castles during the 100 Years War between England and France, this beauty was featured in our favorite movie, Ever After. It made me smile to walk this ancient castle and discover it so serendipitously!