Tayac de Les Eyzies

Tayac, the tiny but very picturesque village just 10 min. walk from the center of Les Eyzies is often overlooked by the majority of visitors passing through Les Eyzies.
Up untill the early 1900's Les Eyzies de Tayac was simply known as "Tayac". Tayac is more than 600 years older than Les Eyzies.
Tayac is historically extremely rich, it was not just the roaming grounds of our Prehistoric ancestors, but the Celts , Romans and Gauls all left their markings on the area.

In the early 12th century 6 Monks from the Monastery of Paunat were travelling between Monasteries when one of the Monks became very ill, they set up camp in Tayac near a water source. The monk was dieing, but miraculously healed after drinking the water from the "Tayac Source". To the Monks of Paunat this was a "Sign" and round about 1123 they started building the magnificent and fortified church of Tayac, they called it "St Martin".
At the same time, the Monks of Paunat started working the land in this lush Vezere valley, they built the farmhouse / monastery, which is now "Ferme de Tayac" that has been completely renovated, and is now a lovely B&B opposite the church.
For hundreds of years the Monks lived here and worked the lands, bit by bit houses were built against the rock.
The water from the "Tayac Source" was taken to other surrounding Monasteries, for it's healing powers, Tayac was thriving.
Two centuries later, things took a turn, wars were breaking out, armies were constantly attacking areas and strongholds. Religion and all that went with it lost it's power, and very slowly the life in and around Tayac became what it is today. St. Martin still stands proud, and is without doubt the nicest Fortified Church in the Perigord, the "Tayac Source" is still there, although no longer in use.

During construction for a railroad in 1868, a rock shelter in a limestone cliff was uncovered. Near the back of the shelter, an occupation floor was recognized, and when excavated, it revealed the remains of four adult skeletons, one infant, and some fragmentary bones. The Link between Prehistoric Man and Modern Man had been found in Tayac.

Recommended accommodation in Les Eyzies de Tayac:

B&B Ferme de Tayac : www.fermedetayac.com Lovely B&B in a 12th Century former farmhouse / monastery opposite the fortified church of St. Martin

Experience Life as a Cro-Magnon

Why does Walking Dordogne have the most unique, and exciting trips and tours?. It's because YOU decide what you would like to do, see or visit.
Again they have listened to their customers, and thanks to all your feedback they have created yet another unique experience. I say experience, because it is just that, it's not a trip or a tour, Walking Dordogne is giving you the chance to experience what it was like to be a Cro Magnon about 35.000 years ago.


You will spend 3 days and 2 nights living as a Cro Magnon, you will sleep in (a) real prehistoric cave(s), you will be dressed in clothes made of hide and fur just like a real Cro Magnon, you will fish using a traditional (made by yourself ) fishing harpoon, you will have to find and prepare your food with tools made by yourself, you will be taught how to make your own fire, and how to survive using the same methods our ancestors used 1000's of years ago. You will hunt and gather food as a team. This is the closest you will ever get to basics, and you will be talking about this experience for the rest of your life... Guaranteed !!

More Info:

• You will be stripped of ALL modern day mod cons, and will start the experience with only the Cro Magnon clothes we supply you with.
• Your "home" for 3 days and 2 nights will be in caves situated in 30 Hectares of (private) rugged land with the Vezere River running through it.
• Your "Guide" will teach you everything you will need to know, and more, on how to "become" and survive as a Cro Magnon.
• You will hunt, fish and gather food, but the hunting will be symbolic, NO real animals will be killed, all the animals will be fake, but you will still have to find and hunt them, and you will be supplied with the real stuff ( venison, wild boar, rabbit and pigeon) depending on what fake animals you kill. The fish however will be real, but limited to one fish per person per day, thats if you can catch them.
• You will be taught everything about our ancestors the Cro Magnon, why and how they settled in this region, and putting an end to the Neanderthal existence.

This experience is ideal for the whole family, but there is a minimum age of 12 for the kids. (younger if you book as a whole group of 6+ ) The groups will be a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8.

This experience is not suitable for vegetarians.

This experience will be for April, May, June, September and October and takes place on Private land somewhere near Les Eyzies de Tayac in the Vezere Valley


For more info: www.walkingdordogne.com/wdnews
or the official website
http://www.walkingdordogne.com/

Your home for 3 days and 2 nights