Bienvenue to your exclusive look into the Dordogne Valley — a region where the sensual pleasures of food and wine meet ancient landscapes, sacred pilgrim paths, and the enduring vision of artists.

From medieval villages perched on limestone cliffs to markets bursting with truffles, duck confit, saffron, and Malbec wine, the Lot invites you to slow down and savor life’s simple, exquisite pleasures.

Curious about the world behind Scent of a Truffle?

This guide offers an in-depth look at the places, products, traditions, and arts and crafts that weave together the world of Scent of a Truffle.

Culinary Secrets of the Domaine, to name a few!

Duck Confit — Slow-cooked in its own fat, the most traditional dish of Quercy. The Maison Godard is famous for its local products.
Saffron of Quercy — Threads of “red gold,” carefully gathered by hand in Quercy.
Eau de Prune- — Plum brandy and walnut liqueur distilled at the Distillerie Louis Roque in Souillac, evoking orchard and grove.
Wild Mushrooms of the Dordogne — Cèpes, chanterelles, morels, and trompettes de la mort hidden in the forest floor.
The World of Truffles — A deeper look at the mystique of the black diamond of gastronomy.
Walnut Tarte Recipe — A classic dessert that captures the sweetness of the Dordogne’s orchards.

Artists of the Valley

The golden light and limestone of the Dordogne have long drawn painters, many of whom made their homes in the Lot and spent extended periods of time in the region.

Among them:

Henri Martin at the Musée Henri Martin in Cahors·
Louttre Bissière (Marc-Antoine Bissière) ·
Roger Bissière ·
Jean Le Moal ·
Georges Verdou ·
Eugène Pujol ·
Georges-Émile Lebacq ·
Pierre Molinier ·
Adolphe Cieslarczyk ·
François Heaulmé ·
Achille Émile Othon Friesz ·
Colette Beleys and many more.

Wonders Beneath & Above the Earth

Lascaux Caves & Pech Merle — Prehistoric art that still speaks across millennia.
Gouffre de Padirac — An immense underground chasm, explored by boat.
Phosphatières du Cloup d’Aural — Fossil-rich quarries, open windows into geological time.
The Limestone Basin of the Dordogne or “les Causses” — The vast folded basin of limestone and marl that shapes the valley’s geology.
Cirque de Montvalent — A dramatic natural amphitheater carved into the cliffs by water and time.
Source of the Alzou — A hidden spring where the river suddenly emerges from the rock.
Chemin des Gariottes — A path lined with ancient dry-stone huts—shepherd’s shelter as in Scent of a Truffle, reminders of pastoral life.

Sacred Routes & Meeting Points

Chemin de Compostelle (St. James’ Way) — ilgrim routes winding through the Dordogne toward Santiago, Spain.
Also known as the Way of St. James, the Chemin de Compostelle weaves through the Dordogne as part of the ancient network of pilgrim routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. For more than a thousand years, travelers have walked these paths seeking faith, renewal, or simply the beauty of the journey itself.
In the Dordogne Valley, the route unfolds across rolling limestone plateaus, walnut groves, and Romanesque villages, where chapels and carved tympanums still bear the marks of medieval devotion. Each step carries echoes of those who walked before — monks, merchants, poets, and seekers — leaving behind a trail rich in stories and contemplation.
Today, the Chemin invites not only pilgrims but also modern wanderers: those drawn by heritage, landscape, and the simple rhythm of walking. To follow it is to join a living tradition, where the path itself becomes both destination and companion.
Rocamadour: the Sacred city where miracles happen
The Abbatiale of Souillac — A lively town of Romanesque treasures and local gatherings.
This is the Dordogne Valley and the Quercy as insiders know it: a place where terroir, medieval architecture, and memory come together.
Thank you for being part of this private journey. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.
With gratitude and warmth,
Cécile