Day 1 La Roque-Gageac

La Roque-Gageac is an almost unimaginably gorgeous and atmospheric little town, situated on cliffs on the side of the Dordogne River. Today we wandered the winding medieval ways (you can't really call them streets) on the side of the cliff and paused for a long and delicious lunch at the very pretty Auberge Platanes on the riverside. There I had Perigord specialties such as confit d'oie, pâté de fois gras, and Gateau de Noix.

The house we are in is very old, maybe even close to 1,000 years old, as is the town. The stone walls of the hous are three feet thick. The fireplaces are enormous and nearly take up the whole wall. We are wondering what this beautiful space looked like before the owners renovated it. We think they took a few separate medieval units on different levels and combined them. There is a wonderful large outdoor terrace and it has been warm enough to have drinks and dinner out there, looking out over the ruelle and out to the river, over the rooftops. It is covered with a grape arbor. Very very charming.