The Dordogne
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The Dordogne and Vezérè Valleys in SW France have been called 'an Exotic England, steeped in prehistory'. Our tour there is led by David Simpson, one of the Dordogne's many English residents who visited and, somehow, never left!Around 10o of latitude due south of the UK sits the landlocked Dordogne département in south-west France. The landscape feels instantly recognisable to British visitors whilst the weather is sunnier, warmer, and calmer with early springs. For the naturalist there are a wide range of interesting habitats including dry rocky hillsides, arable plains, heathlands and wetlands. However the area is dominated by the classic Dordogne oak forest and limestone meadows cut through by the great river itself, beneath some impressive cliffs. Farming and other land practices have left many wildlife habitats intact making almost any location of interest. Many butterflies scarce or on the edge of their range in the UK can be seen easily here, including European Swallowtail, Wood White, Black Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Small Pearl-bordered, Marsh and Glanville Fritillaries. Then there are the suite of British extreme rarities and extinctions which can be found: Large Copper, Black-veined White, Short-tailed Blue, Chequered Skipper and Mazarine Blue. The warm climate brings a range of southern species as far north as Dordogne including Safflower Skipper, Cleopatra, Turquoise Blue and Spotted Fritillary - some of which could be future UK colonists following further climate change! Amongst this wealth of species can also be found more familiar British butterflies and the continental 'favourites': Scarce Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow and Southern White Admiral. In 2011 we recorded fifty species. We will also keep an eye out for birds such as Honey Buzzard, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole and other interesting wildlife. This is the charm of the place and we will take full advantage of it! The great River Dordogne lies immediately outside the hotel and there will be an option to take a mornings cruise to appreciate the birds of prey, dragonflies and dramatic landscape of gallery forest and high crags. Dordogne is famous as a centre of prehistory. The Vézère Valley around Les Eyzies is a world heritage UNESCO site containing many caves with engravings and paintings, both mono and polychromatic, cliff shelters and troglodytic settlements dating back at least 15,000 years. We'll make a visit to one of these caves. |
Price: £ 1,295
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London Stansted-Bergerac, accommodation, meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, admissions, and leadership.
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Honey-coloured villages with Romanesque churches dot the picturesque landscape, amidst castles and chateaux dating from the Hundred Years War when England and France fought over this region. The local Périgord cuisine is renowned, together with the wines of Bergerac and Cahors. This cultural ingredient is all part of the holiday.
This holiday will be a gentle affair and is particularly aimed at those wishing to improve their identification skills of butterflies and there will be ample opportunities for photography which we can review each evening at the hotel. David Simpson lives in the Dordogne and his book, 'Birding Dordogne' has just been published. Accommodation We will be based at a cosy riverside hotel in the sleepy village of Mauzac with all rooms en suite. Lunches will be in auberges to sample the local cuisine or 'terroir'.
Click here for a full, printable itinerary |
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