LA ROQUE-GAGEAC, DORDOGNE

The village of La Roque-Gageac, huddled against a cliff which drops vertically to the River Dordogne, occupies a wonderful site—one of the finest in this part of the valley, in which Domme, Castelnaud and Beynac-et-Cazenac are all within a few kilometres of each other.  It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.  Attractive little streets run tightly along the rocky bluff.  The courtyard to the small church affords the visitor with a lovely view of the river below.  Further on is the Manoir de Tarde.  Two pointed gabled buildings, with mullioned windows, stand next to a round tower.  This charming manor house is associated with the Tarde family, whose most famous member was canon Jean Tarde, a 16th century humanist, historian, cartographer, astronomer and mathematician.  The remains of the residence of the Bishops of Sarlat from the Hundred Years’ War can be seen nearby with its round tower and ivy covered façade.  The large Château de la Malartrie at the edge of town dates back to the 12th century.  At that time it served as a leper hospital and has been since transformed several times.  By the end of the 19th century the Count de Saint-Aulaire, Ambassador of France in the UK and a member of the French / US Cincinnati Society, an institution whose objective is to promote and perpetuate friendship between the French and American people, transformed the château as it stands today in its Renaissance style.  His family rents out the château at the starting price of 4,000 Euros a week for twelve persons!  Extras such as a cook, housekeeper or babysitter will increase the cost as well as the time of year you wish to stay.  High above the town are the remains of the impregnable troglodytic fort built in the 12th century and reinforced in the 17th century before being dismanteled in the 18th century.