For eight centuries, devout pilgrims have crawled up the Grand Stairway of Rocamadour on their knees, doing penance. I didn’t climb the 200-plus steep, worn stairs on my knees, but I was mightily impressed by them. They carry the weight of history. This medieval town in southwestern France is carved right into the rock of …
The Padirac Chasm – Gouffres de Padirac – is an amazing, eerie, natural phenomenon not to be missed when you’re in the Dordogne region of France. It’s basically a huge sinkhole with a series of underground galleries hollowed out of the limestone of the Massif Central, the rugged, mountainous plateau that covers almost one-sixth of …
Toulouse boasts many wondrous sights, but the biggest and most famous is the enormous Romanesque Basilica of Saint-Sernin. The huge brick and stone structure was begun in the 11th century to serve the crowds of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. It’s 115 meters (377 feet) long, 64 meters (210 feet) …
From rolling forests to surfers dream beaches, from spectacular caves to towering gorges; the Southwest’s countryside appeal makes it a terrific spot for active, adventurous travelers. Offering ample opportunities for biking, hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding, this region has it all. With so many off-road retreats, Southwest France comes with a caveat: take …