Vegan France: Castles, Caves & Elephant Sanctuaries

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Join us for Part 4 of our Spring Travel Mini-Series! 🇫🇷
In this episode, Brighde shares highlights from our most recent World Vegan Travel group trip through France—from the charm of Paris to the magic of the Dordogne. Hosted alongside Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, this journey was filled with vineyard visits, castle cruises, vegan feasts, and unforgettable moments with our amazing travelers.

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Transcript

Hello and welcome back to the World Vegan Travel Podcast! I’m your host, Brighde, and this is Part 4 of our Spring Travel Mini-Series—and oh, is it a good one. 
We’re talking about our Paris to Dordogne group trip, hosted by the one and only Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. If you've ever fantasized about sipping wine in a vineyard, canoeing past medieval castles, or feasting on vegan walnut cake in the French countryside—this episode is going to sweep you away.
So make yourself a cup of tea, or maybe pour a little rosé, and come with me as we relive one of the most beautiful and emotional journeys we've ever run.
Our trip began in Paris, of course. That familiar hum of city life, the croissants in the morning, the slightly chaotic but always charming Gare Montparnasse. We had a private breakfast at Maison Mère, which is this beautifully curated boutique hotel in the 9th arrondissement, and then off we went—suitcases rolling, vegan "tuna" sandwiches from Land & Monkeys in hand.
Now, this wouldn’t be French travel without a bit of drama, right? Our TGV to Bordeaux was delayed by nearly an hour. But when you're traveling in first class with a group of seasoned adventurers and very good snacks, the mood stays light.
Once in Bordeaux, the gateway to southwest France’s wine country, we met our lovely driver Faiz, loaded into the coach, and headed into the rolling green hills of the Dordogne.
But first, a detour to Château Feely, a biodynamic vineyard run by an inspiring South African woman. If you’ve never stood in the middle of vines while sipping crisp white wine and nibbling handmade vegan cheese... I highly recommend it. The group soaked it up—every word about soil health, grape varietals, and nature-connected winemaking.
That evening, we arrived at our home base for the week: Villa Vézère, tucked into the lush valley near Montignac. We were welcomed with live cello music, delicate finger foods, and the golden glow of a Dordogne evening. It was one of those moments where time slows down.
And this is where we met the tiniest star of the trip—a 3-week-old kitten, rescued from the trash, being lovingly bottle-fed by the villa staff. Named Looses, she instantly became our unofficial mascot and made all the cat lovers of the trip beside themselves..
The next morning, over coffee, berries, and gazpacho (yes, for breakfast—it works), we met our guide Christophe, known affectionately as “Sideburns Christophe.” He’s a prehistory expert, and if you imagine a French Indiana Jones with more charisma and less snakes, that’s him.
We explored Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, often named one of the most beautiful villages in France. Tucked along the river and backed by limestone cliffs, it’s the kind of place you’d swear only exists in storybooks. Romanesque church, medieval streets, the occasional duck waddling through—it’s all real.
Lunch was at Smoothie Grignotecque, the only fully vegan spot in this part of France. In a shady courtyard, we feasted on burgers, salads, walnut cake, and local strawberries. And then—options!
Some of us took to the Vézère River in canoes, gliding past cliffs and castles. Others visited the Musée National de Préhistoire, where Christophe brought the exhibits to life. We regrouped at Lascaux IV, a stunning digital replica of one of the world’s most famous prehistoric cave systems. Even after 15 visits, it still gives me goosebumps and honestly the group was blown away.
This day was emotional.
We drove out to Oradour-sur-Glane, a village left untouched since it was destroyed by the Nazis in 1944. Rusting cars, burned-out buildings—it’s a powerful and heartbreaking place. Christophe provided the history with such care, and I could see how deeply it moved the group.
After that heavy morning, we needed something to lift our spirits, and we got it at Elephant Haven, a sanctuary in the Limousin countryside where two retired elephants—Delhi and Gandhi—now live in peace.
We had a vegan buffet under the trees, lovingly prepared by the sanctuary founders, Tony and Sofie. Watching elephants dust themselves with mud just meters away unforgettable.
We started with a morning session led by Colleen, talking about the emotional journey of being vegan—how it evolves over time, how it connects us.
Then we visited Beynac Castle, perched dramatically above the Dordogne River. You can almost hear the clanking of armor and swishing of capes as you walk through the sparse stone rooms.
Next: La Roque-Gageac, a cliffside village that looks like it grew organically out of the rock. We boarded a traditional gabarre boat for a champagne cruise past castles and kayakers, ducks and dragonflies. Honestly, it felt like a movie set.
This trip was extra special because of the people. We had Carole on her 7th trip with us (hi Carole!), and Marshall, Allie, and Sue all on their 6th. That’s like 24 trips among just four people!
We also welcomed five brand new WVT family members, each of whom brought something unique and joyful to the group. It was a beautiful blend of old friends and new connections.
Our last full day included the market in Sarlat-la-Canéda, with its bustling stalls and medieval lanes. Lunch was a vegan buffet at Le Chèvre et le Chou, where we lingered in the courtyard like we never wanted to leave.
That night, we had our farewell party. Colleen led a cooking demo, the band Magnolia played French folk-pop, and our traveler Mike joined in on trumpet. We danced to “Voyage, Voyage” under the stars, and I’m not exaggerating when I say there were tears.
Our final morning was quiet and tender. Leftover vegan cheese, strong coffee, hugs all around before taking the bus to Bordeaux. Some travelers headed to Bordeaux airport, some stayed on in Bordeaux, and a few went back to Paris.
Seb, Colleen, David, and I sat in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel and just smiled. This trip—despite the hot weather, despite the train delays—worked. It flowed. And it reminded us why we love doing this so much.
We’re planning to run this trip again in 2027, and if you’re listening and thinking, “I want in,” go pre-register now at worldvegantravel.com.
Thanks for joining me on this wander through southwestern France. I hope it painted a picture you could step into. Next week, I’ll be back with more behind-the-scenes stories from our travels.
Until then—keep roaming, keep discovering, and keep eating plants in beautiful places.
À bientôt!