Join French professor Scott Carpenter and his wife, Anne Maple, for a sojourn in Sarlat-la-Caneda, a 14th-century walled village. One of Europe’s most perfectly preserved towns, it boasts an unmatched concentration of medieval, Renaissance, and 17th-century facades, yet village life is vibrant and bustling.

Prehistoric Caves

Day trips will give you a chance to visit the vast and impressive prehistoric caves of the Perigord, including Rouffignac, to view carvings in the cave walls; Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, to learn about prehistoric human culture; and Font-de-Gaume, to discover the artistry of early humans.

Medieval Villages

You will also explore medieval villages and pilgrimage sites, such as Rocamadour, carved into the side of a limestone cliff and a pilgrimage site since the 12th century. Visit St-Genies-Admire, to see 14th-century frescoes in the tiny Chappelle du Cheylard; Domme, to admire the architectural detail of this medieval
village founded by Philip the Bold in 1281; and St-Amand-de-Coly, for the picturesque lanes leading to the Abbey Church, built 800 years ago by Augustinian monks.

River Cruise

The week will end with a relaxing luncheon cruise up the Dordogne River aboard a gabare, a traditional 19th-century barge.

Accommodations

You will stay at the first-class Hotel de la Madeleine, near the market square. This converted 19th-century townhouse offers first-class lodgings steeped in provincial appeal. The proprietor, a renowned chef, has played a key role in preserving Sarlat’s historic architecture.

Faculty

Scott Carpenter, professor of French, has led Carleton programs to France since 1991 and visited the Dordogne valley regularly since 1981. A member of the newly established European studies
concentration and a specialist in late 18th- and 19th-century literature, Carpenter teaches courses on language, literature, literary theory, and the French press. His wife, Anne Maple, will assist him
on the alumni trip.