Micoque Circular

Often described as the World Capital of Prehistory, the commune of Les Eyzies boasts a significant number of prehistoric sites within a few kilometres. This walk takes you close to these sites and archaeological deposits, allowing you to discover the rich heritage of these places.

Details

34535484
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.14 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 614 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 610 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 682 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 180 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Sarlat-la-Canéda, take the D6 then the D47 towards Les Eyzies. Park at the Vézère car park.

(S/E) From the information sign in the Vézère car park, walk along the Vézère against the current until you reach the D-road. Turn left and cross the river via the footbridge.

(1) Go under the bridge, taking the road that descends to the left.

(2) Immediately afterwards, continue along the footpath that runs alongside the road (D47) until you reach the railway line.

(3) Take the path on the right, cross the railway line then continue towards the hamlet of Le Mas via the Route des Guignes until you reach the first junction.

(4) Turn left and you will soon reach the first fork.

(5) Continue straight on along the Chemin de Castel-Girou to the next crossroads.

(6) Once at the hamlet of Le Mas, turn left onto Chemin de la Micoque. Pass the entrance to the prehistoric site and look for a path on the right.

(7) Follow this path towards the hamlet of Lesparre until you reach a junction.

(8) Continue along the path on the right, pass the hamlet of Les Tourneries, then continue to the hamlet of La Cour via Chemin de la Cour. Go round the hamlet, then head back towards Le Mas via Chemin des Sept Frères, following it to its end.

(5) Turn left and head towards the village of Les Eyzies via the same route as on the way out. Cross the bridge over the Vézère.

(1) Continue straight on along the A-road until you reach Rue du Moyen Age on the left.

(9) Follow this street and continue along Rue du Musée until you reach the "Pôle d'Interprétation de la Préhistoire".

(10) Turn right at the Pôle d'Interprétation de la Préhistoire, cross the footbridge and join Avenue de la Préhistoire.

(11) Turn right and continue until you reach Rue de la Fontaine on the left.

(12) Take this street and continue along the Promenade de la Vézère to the Vézère car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 194 ft - Vézère car park - Vézère (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 210 ft - Turn left
  3. 2 : mi 0.24 - alt. 187 ft - T-junction (return). Bridge over the - Vézère (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 1.51 - alt. 200 ft - T-junction (return) - Manaurie (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Vézère
  5. 4 : mi 1.92 - alt. 213 ft - A/R junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.98 - alt. 249 ft - Intersection of the circular loop
  7. 6 : mi 2.04 - alt. 269 ft - Chemin de la Micoque - Navarre (ruisseau)
  8. 7 : mi 2.41 - alt. 226 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 3.29 - alt. 679 ft - Path junction
  10. 9 : mi 7.01 - alt. 213 ft - Medieval Street
  11. 10 : mi 7.46 - alt. 223 ft - Prehistory Interpretation Centre
  12. 11 : mi 7.54 - alt. 226 ft - Avenue de la Préhistoire - Beune (rivière) - Affluent de la Vézère
  13. 12 : mi 7.81 - alt. 217 ft - Rue de la Fontaine - Vézère (rivière)
  14. S/E : mi 8.14 - alt. 194 ft - Vézère car park

Worth a visit

(2) The Prehistory Interpretation Centre is a free public institution dedicated to promoting the region and fostering the preservation and enhancement of the cultural, natural and landscape heritage of the Vézère Valley, which has been designated a “Grand Site de France”. Until 2025, you can enjoy an exhibition on the landscapes of the Vézère Valley.

In Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, you will also find the National Museum of Prehistory, the decorated Font-de-Gaume Cave and the geological Grand Roc Cave, as well as rock-shelter sites.

-Laugerie Basse rock shelter
-Cap Blanc rock shelter
- Poisson rock shelter

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
3.3 / 5
GOGO
GOGO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The walk itself isn’t uninteresting, but it’s a shame that it runs alongside the main road for long stretches, both on the way there and back. In June, the traffic was already a nuisance; I can’t imagine what it must be like in July and August. You can start from the car park opposite the Grand Roc cave, but this shortens the route considerably, unless you set off from the car park opposite Le Toulet to complete the circular route. This saves you about 2 km (there and back) on the main road.

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sosobm
sosobm
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

It’s a shame there are so many busy roads along this walk, especially in summer. You walk for almost 3 km along the B-road. The points of interest are poorly signposted. I’m a regular user of Visorando and was very disappointed with the route, which ruined our day.

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Aldan24
Aldan24

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for sharing this walk, which has allowed us to discover a lovely route. It’s worth noting that once you reach point 7, you can carry on to visit Ricaudou Castle and, a little further on, Cap de Roc Castle on its headland (return trip).

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Pascalloux
Pascalloux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this lovely route. A really lovely walk, well signposted and a great complement to Visorando – perfect.

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