Things To Do in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac

Many of the caves in this area limit the number of daily visitors they admit; you can call ahead for reservations up to a year in advance. We recommend that you do so, especially if you plan to visit in summer. Many rent bikes to travel from village to village in this immediate region. It's easy to rent at the self-service stand on place de la Mairie (you’ll need to register online beforehand), which has e-bikes. The first 30 minutes are free, then it’s 2€ or 3€/hour according to the season.

Whether you’re biking or driving, the loveliest villages in the Dordogne Valley include Sarlat-la-Canéda, 17km (11 miles) southeast of Les Eyzies, and La Roque-Gageac, 14 km (8.75 miles) south of Sarlat. Smaller villages, including Beynac-et-Cazenac, Castelnaud, Domme, and Montfort, lie beside the road that meanders through the Dordogne Valley. Throughout the region, routes are country roads marked only with signs leading to the above-mentioned destinations.

Make a special effort to stand in the shadow of the foreboding Château de Beynac, Beynac-et-Cazenac (tel. 05-53-29-50-40), a remarkably intact 12th-century fortress that peers out over the Dordogne Valley from a rocky crag. The fortress played an important role in the Hundred Years' War and at one point was seized by Richard the Lionheart. TThe castle has served as a backdrop in several movies, including Luc Besson’s Jeanne d’Arc. The view alone is worth the hike uphill; fans of knights in shining armor will surely appreciate the visit. A free phone app (available when you buy your tickets) serves as an audioguide. The castle’s open all year daily from 9am to 8pm. Admission 11.50€, 7€ ages 11 to 16, ages 10 and under free. A worthy restaurant for classic dishes is in the nearby Hôtel Restaurant du Château (tel/ 05-53-29-19-20). It's on the river at the base of the château and is open daily April to October.

The Scoop on Cave Tickets: To prevent deterioration of the art, a limited number of visitors are allowed into Les Eyzies-de-Tayac caves each day (specifically Font-de-Gaume and Combarelles) which are now managed by the same ticket office. You can only buy online tickets within two weeks in advance of your visit, so check the websites. If you do want to try without a ticket, arrive early and have a plan B.