This route from the Motorcycle Tour Guide France part 1 is a tour in the Dordogne with a focus on Prehistory.

Bert Loorbach, the author, is an avid motorcyclist himself and lived in France for a year and a half. During that time, he dedicated himself to mapping France's lesser-known and beautiful back roads specifically for motorcyclists. Hotels, campsites, sights, parking lots, and restaurants are included as points of interest.

This route can be done in a day, but because there's so much to see along the way, it can also be split up. The starting and ending point is Les Eyzies de Tayac Sireuil. This town already boasts many beautiful places to visit, such as the National Museum of Prehistory, various caves, castles, and archaeological sites. More information is available from the Syndicat d'Initiative. Other interesting attractions include the Aquarium du Périgord Noir and the Prehistoparc Park.

The Périgord du Noir aquarium is the largest private freshwater aquarium in Europe, with a surface area of over 4,000 m² and 70 tanks holding 3 million liters of water and 6,000 animals, including the finest collection of sturgeon in Europe. The aquarium's open-air tanks offer the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna in all seasons (rain, snow, sun). It's the best way to observe our rivers, ponds, and lakes. There's also an Alligator Park, with a beautiful Louisiana environment of over 2,000 m², featuring alligators, anacondas, iguanas, and caimans. You can even feed baby alligators there.

The route winds through the Dordogne, with beautiful winding roads through rolling hills, river valleys, dense forests, limestone plateaus, and historic castles. Along the way, you'll pass charming little villages with castles, small stone houses, and a few charming bridges. Take your time and plan to stop occasionally to explore these villages.

Lunch is planned in La Roque-Gageac, one of France's most beautiful villages. Nestled against an immense limestone cliff in a meander of the Dordogne River, it blends remarkably well into the landscape. La Roque-Gageac was an important and impregnable stronghold during the Hundred Years' War. The troglodyte forts and castles of the bishops of Sarlat date from this period. During the Renaissance, the village was embellished with magnificent stone mansions. Numerous narrow streets lead to the foot of the cliff, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the river.

Plan a stop for a stroll through the charming town of Sarlat la Canéda, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe. Protected from modernism by the Malraux Law, Sarlat has preserved the picturesque character of its narrow streets and the beauty of its monuments. The town holds the record for the largest number of protected historical monuments and buildings. Sarlat is the ideal place to discover Périgord gastronomy: a paradise of truffles, porcini mushrooms, foie gras, confits, pâtés, and charcuterie.

On the way back to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, you can visit Prehistoparc Park, nestled in a green oasis between two cliffs in the heart of the Vézère Valley. In this astonishing prehistoric park, you'll discover life-size scenes from the daily lives of the first Neanderthal hunter-gatherers and Cro-Magnon humans. Along the way, you'll be immersed in the lifestyle and customs of prehistoric humans in the place where they lived 35,000 years ago, and you can observe the diversity of prehistoric animals. The explanatory panels along the route provide a scientific and educational insight into the daily life of prehistoric humans in these regions.

Enjoy your stay in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, nestled in the heart of the Périgord Noir and the Dordogne's premier holiday destination. This village in the Vézère Valley is best known for its caves and prehistoric sites, attracting both history buffs and nature lovers.

This charming medieval town in the heart of the Vézère Valley is also a great starting point or stop for exploring other equally well-known destinations such as Limeuil and Saint-Cyprien, as well as Beynac, Castelnaud, La Roque-Gageac, Domme, and Sarlat-la-Canéda. There are hotels and several campsites nearby where you can stay overnight.