In the heart of the Périgord region, 6km from our Saint-Cybranet open-air hotel at Slow Village, the cliff of La Roque-Gageac is home to the remains of a fortress built in the 12th century. Perched at 120 metres, it offers an exceptional 180-degree panorama of the Dordogne valley. Explore the La Roque-Gageac troglodytic fort to learn more about its history and enjoy the breathtaking view!
Built around 1280, the fort was partly erected in a natural cleft in the limestone cliffs characteristic of the Périgord Noir region. Sheltered by a double wall, the Fort de La Rogue-Gageac was impregnable in the Middle Ages. Situated more than 40 metres above the river, the fort was once a large-scale building complex with an elaborate defensive system. The strategic role of this troglodytic fort was to serve as a refuge for man and to control navigation on the Dordogne.
When it was built, the rock shelters naturally present were used to build an impressive defensive system. A vertiginous wooden staircase, steps carved out of the rock leading to a ditch, and a first door lined with a stunner. There's also a sentry walk, and thick walls with archways, loopholes and gunports. Impossible in the Middle Ages, neither the English during the Hundred Years' War, nor the Protestants during the Wars of Religion, succeeded in storming it.
Once the residence of the Abbot and then the Bishops of Sarlat, the Fort originally contained up to 5 noble houses with outbuildings and a fountain known as the Balme. But there's also the knights' house, the river, and the village houses, tightly packed in rows and separated by a maze of narrow, hard-to-reach streets.
The Fort, at the very top of the hill, is the last stop where you can entrench yourself if need be, sheltered behind the walls which have been heightened and completed with watchtowers.
Since 1957, the Fort de La Roque-Gageac has been weakened by successive landslides. Then, in 2010, the roof of the fort partially collapsed, leading to the demolition of the built remains and consequent closure of the site. The municipality of La Roque-Gageac then undertook major consolidation and safety work on the Fort de La Roque-Gageac and its cliff to preserve this precious witness to the village's history.
In 2019, Jean-Max Touron, an enthusiast for troglodytism, prehistory and the Middle Ages, decided to restore and develop the site. And so, since June 2020, the Fort de La Roque-Gageac has enriched the fortified heritage of the Périgord Noir.
At the end of a 140-step ascent, you'll reach the parapet walk, with its moat covered by a wooden footbridge, where the Fort unveils an exhibition retracing the history of the village, and enjoy a 180-degree view of the valley identical to that enjoyed by the lookouts of yesteryear. During your visit to the Fort, you'll also discover a 3D reconstruction of the fortress in the Middle Ages. This video offers a true immersion into the glorious past of the 15th century, as well as the exceptional natural setting of La Roque-Gageac.
From the top of the Fort, you can watch the graceful ballet of the birds. Thanks to its location near the river, the village's microclimate and the cliffs that provide a choice refuge, La Roque-Gageac is a village of many birds and birds of prey. Depending on the season, you can admire jackdaws and black kites, as well as peregrine falcons scanning the horizon with their piercing eyes, and even the tichodrome échelette with its wings outlined in red.
Prices range from €3 to €7, depending on your profile. Admission is free for children under 10.
Lanternes des Morts, silent witnesses to the past, are still intriguingly mysterious today. These medieval monuments, erected in several regions of France, symbolize an ancestral link between the living and departed souls.
Explore prehistoric rock art at the Abri du Cap Blanc, a unique site to experience with full awareness. A rare experience to extend with Slow Village, in the heart of the Périgord Noir.
Between Périgord Noir, Périgord Blanc, Périgord Pourpre and Périgord Vert, there's so much to do in Périgord! To make sure you don't miss out on any must-see activities or places of interest, it's crucial to prepare your stay well in advance. Here's a map of the Périgord region, along with an overview of must-see places.
Between Dordogne and Quercy, the Céou valley is a haven of peace, with its clear river, forests and small villages inviting you to slow down.
In the heart of Périgord, beneath the Bastide town of Domme, a village classified as one of France's "most beautiful villages", lies an underground gem, the Grotte de Domme.
In the heart of the Périgord Noir region, the bastide town of Domme is a medieval city built on a rocky outcrop above the Dordogne River.
In the heart of the Périgord Noir, less than 7km from our campsite in the Slow Village, discover the Château de Beynac.
In the heart of Périgord Noir, 3.6 km from our Périgord Slow Village Saint-Cybranet campsite, discover one of the Dordogne's most famous castles: Castelnaud.
Périgord gastronomy is renowned for its quality products. In the heart of Périgord Noir, Domaine de Vielcroze perpetuates the know-how of walnut and truffle production, emblems of the Périgord terroir. Less than 4 km from our Dordogne campsite at Slow Village Périgord, at the foot of Castelnaud castle, discover the Walnut Ecomuseum.
In the heart of the Périgord Noir, just 6 km from our campsite in the Slow Village, the exotic garden of La Roque-Gageac is an unusual place to visit.
For your next vacation, stay in France and plan a visit to Rocamadour, an emblematic town in the Dordogne Valley. Take the time to visit this ancient pilgrimage site and its many natural attractions, and enjoy a range of family activities.
More and more camping enthusiasts are opting for environmentally-friendly holidays. The Dordogne, located in the Périgord region in the heart of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is full of green campsites. Some of them stand out for their sustainable approach and dedication to preserving nature. In this article, we look at the specific features and benefits of an ecological campsite in the Dordogne.
Enjoy a 100% chill-out break in the heart of nature at our Périgord campsite in Slow Village, and discover the Jardins de Marqueyssac just 5km away.
The Dordogne and its Périgord Noir region boast top-quality local produce coveted by gourmets the world over.
The Dordogne abounds in prehistoric treasures: cave paintings, engravings and impressive underground galleries. Follow in the footsteps of mankind's first artists with our must-see selection.
Plunge into the heart of a Périgord forest to meet lemurs, red pandas and other endangered species.
Who could resist the call of Périgord, this land of mystery, history and unrivalled natural beauty? Located in south-west France, Périgord offers a journey through time, from prehistory to the present day, with its impressive natural sites, medieval castles and authentic villages. Every nook and cranny promises a unique adventure for families with children, friends or lovers. The Périgord campsite offers a busy schedule for your visit to the Périgord.
Both fun and educational, it features no fewer than 70 basins spread over 4,000 m² and containing 3 million liters of water. In these basins, you can discover 6,000 marine animals. These impressive figures make the Aquarium du Périgord Noir the largest private freshwater aquarium in Europe.
Sarlat la Canéda is a historic town in the heart of France's Périgord Noir region. The town is renowned for its gastronomy, cultural heritage and outdoor activities. If you're looking to recharge your batteries in the heart of nature while discovering the riches of the region, be sure to stay at Slow Village, an eco-village located near Sarlat la Canéda. In this guide, we take a look at the must-sees and must-tastes in Sarlat la Canéda.
The Grotte des Combarelles, a true prehistoric gem, lies in the heart of the Vézère Valley in the Dordogne. Located some 25 km south-east of Périgueux, the cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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