One of the advantages of staying at Les Parmeries is its location. Set above the Dordogne Valley near Carlux, you are within easy reach of medieval towns, beautiful gardens, historic castles and the Dordogne River.
From a morning exploring the medieval streets of Sarlat to an afternoon canoeing beneath the castles of the Dordogne Valley, there is plenty to discover without spending hours in the car.
Here are ten of our favourite things to do within approximately 30 minutes of Carlux.
Approximately 15 minutes from Carlux
Sarlat is one of the highlights of the Périgord Noir and an essential visit during a stay at Les Parmeries.
The beautifully preserved medieval centre is a pleasure to explore on foot, with golden-stone buildings, narrow lanes, Renaissance houses, hidden courtyards and lively squares. Look out for the Maison de La Boétie, Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral, the Lanterne des Morts and the former Sainte-Marie church, now home to the covered market and panoramic lift.
Allow at least half a day to explore Sarlat properly. It is particularly enjoyable early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the busiest part of the day has passed.
Worth knowing: Sarlat also has excellent restaurants, cafés and one of the best food markets in the region.
Contact:
Office de Tourisme Sarlat Périgord Noir
3 rue Tourny, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 31 45 45
Official website: Sarlat Tourisme
Approximately 10 minutes from Carlux
Perched above the Dordogne Valley at Sainte-Mondane, Château de Fénelon is one of the region's most impressive fortresses.
Its distinctive fortified appearance, multiple defensive walls and panoramic position make it quite different from the more elegant Renaissance châteaux of the area.
Inside, the château has an extensive collection of historic objects, weapons, furniture and curiosities. It is an excellent choice for anyone interested in the history of the Périgord.
Address:
Château de Fénelon
982 route de Fénelon
24370 Sainte-Mondane
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 29 81 45
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Château de Fénelon
Approximately 5 minutes from Carlux
The Jardins de Cadiot are particularly special because they are right on your doorstep.
Set within two hectares, these atmospheric gardens combine formal planting with a more natural, informal style. There are roses, peonies, hydrangeas, grasses, Japanese maples, a maze, an English garden, a wild garden and contemporary sculpture.
The gardens are cultivated using permaculture principles and place a strong emphasis on biodiversity.
It is a lovely place for a quiet morning or an easy outing when you don't want to travel far.
Address:
743 route de Cadiot
24370 Carlux
Tel: +33 (0)7 68 92 21 92
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Les Jardins de Cadiot
Approximately 10–15 minutes from Carlux
The Jardins d'Eau at Carsac-Aillac are a beautiful botanical garden centred around water.
Ponds, streams, waterfalls, lotus flowers, water lilies, Japanese bridges and wooden walkways create a peaceful and unusual garden experience.
There is also a raised aquatic maze and plenty of opportunities for photography.
The gardens work particularly well as part of a day combining Carsac, the Dordogne River and Sarlat.
Address:
10 rue Marius Rossillon
Saint-Rome
24200 Carsac-Aillac
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 28 91 96
Mobile: +33 (0)6 81 78 01 73
Official website: Les Jardins d'Eau
Approximately 20 minutes from Carlux
Domme is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France and occupies a spectacular position high above the Dordogne Valley.
Walk through the medieval bastide, pass through its fortified gates and take time to enjoy the panoramic views across the valley.
Then head underground to the Grotte de Domme, a natural cave running beneath the village. The guided visit takes you through approximately 450 metres of galleries decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and other formations.
Domme is also an excellent place for lunch, with several restaurants and cafés overlooking the valley.
Tourist Office:
9 place de la Halle
24250 Domme
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 31 71 00
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Office de Tourisme Périgord Noir Vallée Dordogne
Approximately 20 minutes from Carlux
For many visitors, a day on the Dordogne is one of the highlights of a holiday in the Périgord Noir.
Canoeing gives you a completely different perspective on the valley. From the river you can see medieval villages, limestone cliffs, wooded hillsides and some of the region's most famous castles.
Canoës Loisirs, based at Vitrac, offers several routes along the Dordogne, making it easy to choose a trip that suits your time and experience.
Canoës Loisirs – Base de Vitrac
Le Brat
24250 Domme
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 28 23 43
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Canoës Loisirs
Tip: Ask us about the different routes before setting off. We can help you choose one that works well with the rest of your day.
Approximately 25 minutes from Carlux
The Jardins de Marqueyssac are famous for their extraordinary clipped boxwood gardens and spectacular position high above the Dordogne.
More than six kilometres of paths wind through the gardens, leading to viewpoints overlooking the river and the famous Valley of the Five Castles.
From the belvedere you can see Castelnaud, Beynac and other landmarks across the valley.
Marqueyssac is particularly good for combining with a visit to Castelnaud or La Roque-Gageac.
Jardins de Marqueyssac
24220 Vézac
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 31 36 36
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Jardins de Marqueyssac
Approximately 25 minutes from Carlux
Château de Castelnaud is one of the best-known medieval castles in the Dordogne.
The fortress dominates the Dordogne Valley and houses the Museum of Medieval Warfare, with weapons, armour and reconstructions of medieval siege machines.
The castle also hosts demonstrations and activities throughout the year.
Allow around an hour and a half for a straightforward visit, or longer if you want to take part in the additional activities.
Address:
Château de Castelnaud
24250 Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 31 30 00
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Château de Castelnaud
Approximately 25 minutes from Carlux
The Château des Milandes combines architecture, gardens and one of the most fascinating stories in the Dordogne.
The Renaissance château was once the home of Joséphine Baker, the international entertainer, Resistance heroine and civil-rights campaigner.
Inside, visitors can discover rooms associated with her life, costumes and memorabilia, while outside there are formal gardens and displays of birds of prey.
It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to combine beautiful surroundings with a fascinating piece of twentieth-century history.
Address:
Château des Milandes
257 route Joséphine Baker
24250 Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 59 31 21
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Château des Milandes
Approximately 30 minutes from Carlux
Rising dramatically above the Dordogne, Château de Beynac is one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the region.
The castle stands around 150 metres above the river and offers exceptional views across the Dordogne Valley and the Valley of the Five Castles.
Inside, you can explore the medieval rooms, towers and defensive areas before taking in the views from the top of the fortress.
Beynac village itself is worth exploring, and the château can easily be combined with Castelnaud, Marqueyssac or a canoe trip.
Address:
Château de Beynac
Place du Château
24220 Beynac-et-Cazenac
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 29 50 40
Email: [email protected]
Official website: Château de Beynac
You don't need to travel far to have a full day of sightseeing.
Fénelon → Beynac → Castelnaud
A great day for anyone interested in medieval France.
Jardins de Cadiot → Sarlat → Jardins d'Eau
A slower day combining gardens, history, shopping and good food.
Canoeing → La Roque-Gageac → Domme
A particularly good choice on a warm summer day.
Sarlat → Marqueyssac → Castelnaud
Three of the region's best-known attractions in one day.
Les Parmeries is ideally placed for exploring the Dordogne Valley, with Sarlat, the Dordogne River, medieval villages, gardens and historic castles all within easy reach.
After a day exploring, you can return to the peace and space of our 14-acre private estate near Carlux, take a swim in the heated pool and enjoy the views across the surrounding countryside.
Whether you're interested in history, gardens, food, walking, canoeing or simply discovering beautiful villages, there is plenty to do within a short drive of Les Parmeries.
Les Parmeries – three characterful gîtes in the Dordogne Valley near Sarlat.