Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

Hi Guys, In this episode, we are visiting the stunning village of Carennac. Often described as a real-life fairytale, Carennac is a member of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" and for very good reason. The village is famous for its 11th-century priory, its beautiful Romanesque church, and the perfectly preserved Renaissance houses that line its quiet streets.

Wandering through Carennac feels like finding a hidden treasure. The golden stone, the intricate carvings on the doorways, and the peaceful atmosphere along the banks of the Dordogne river make it a highlight of our trip. It is a place that perfectly captures the timeless, magical essence of Rural France.

👉 Join us for more of our wonderful travel adventures and be inspired for your own as we travel through Rural France!

#france #roadtrip #vanlife #campervan #carennac #dordogne #retired

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 7

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

Hi Everyone. In this episode, we explore the "City of Seven Towers." Martel is a stunning medieval town that truly comes alive during our visit. We were lucky enough to experience a local festival night, filled with music and a wonderful community atmosphere, followed by the bustling traditional market under the magnificent 18th-century wooden hall.

From the narrow medieval streets to the local flavors of the market, Martel is a perfect example of the charm we are looking for in Rural France. We also take a little time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Murel, making this a truly memorable stop on our journey.

1 month ago | [YT] | 8

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

Hello and welcome back to our channel!

In this episode, we are exploring the extraordinary village of Collonges-la-Rouge. It is famously known for being built entirely of red sandstone, giving it a vibrant color unlike anywhere else in the country. It’s no surprise that this was the very first village to be labeled as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France."

To see more than just the village, we headed out on an epic hike through the surrounding hills. The contrast between the lush green landscape and the fiery red stone of the village is truly a sight to behold. From the medieval manor houses to the fortified church, every corner of this stop felt like a storybook come to life. It’s a highlight of our trip so far and a must-see for anyone visiting Rural France.

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

In this episode, we are visiting the spectacular bastide town of Domme. Perched high on a rocky crag, it is often called the "Acropolis of the Périgord" because of its commanding views over the Dordogne valley. We had some rather stormy weather during our visit, but it only added to the drama of the landscape and the medieval atmosphere of the village.

Wandering through the fortified gates and past the golden limestone houses, you can really feel the history of this place, including its time as a prison for the Knights Templar. Even with the rain, the view from the "Barre de Domme" balcony is breathtaking. It’s a reminder that Rural France is beautiful in every kind of weather!

👉 Join us for more of our wonderful travel adventures and be inspired for your own as we travel through Rural France!

2 months ago | [YT] | 6

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

In this episode, we are visiting the magnificent Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. Another member of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France," it is famous for its imposing medieval fortress that stands guard over the confluence of the Dordogne and Céou rivers. We spent our time enjoying a scenic riverside walk, which offers a fantastic perspective of the castle towering above the village's stone houses.

Wandering through the steep, narrow streets of Castelnaud feels like stepping back in time. The village and its castle played a huge role in the Hundred Years' War, often facing off against its rival, Beynac, just across the water. It’s a place filled with history and incredible views that perfectly showcases the heritage of Rural France.

2 months ago | [YT] | 6

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

In this episode, we are visiting the incredibly picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac. Wedged between a sheer limestone cliff and the Dordogne river, this village is consistently ranked as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." We spent our time enjoying a peaceful riverside walk, which is the perfect way to admire the golden stone houses and the exotic Mediterranean-style gardens that thrive here thanks to the cliff's microclimate.

Wandering through the narrow lanes and looking up at the 12th-century fort built right into the rock face is a truly unique experience. La Roque-Gageac perfectly captures the timeless beauty of Rural France, and we are so happy to share this stunning location with you.

2 months ago | [YT] | 9

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

Hello everyone! 🚐

We’ve noticed a bit of a split in our recent videos. While our village tours get so much love, our Camping-Car Park Aire reviews seem to be getting some "tough love" with more thumbs down than usual. We really want our channel to be a helpful resource for your own French road trips, so we’d love your honest feedback: What are we missing in these reviews?

If they aren't quite hitting the mark for you, please let us know why in the comments. We genuinely want to know: Should we keep making these site reviews, or would you prefer we just stick to the village adventures? We want to make sure we’re creating the content you enjoy most!

3 months ago | [YT] | 5

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

Hi everyone. We’re so glad you’ve joined us for this latest leg of our journey. As retirees enjoying life in our campervan, we are currently embarking on a brand-new series: a "Grand Loop" around France. Our adventure started in the beautiful Saint-Benoît and is now taking us through the Dordogne to the stunning castle and village of Baynac

3 months ago | [YT] | 10

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

So we’ve just arrived in the heart of the Périgord Noir, in the beautiful village of Les Eyzies, well known for its towering limestone cliffs and fascinating prehistoric history.

We set off on foot to explore the Gorge d’Enfer (Hell’s Gorge). Despite its dramatic name, it’s actually a peaceful and scenic walk through woodland, passing ancient rock shelters along the way.

The cliffs here are absolutely huge, you really have to see them in person to appreciate their scale. Walking through an area that has been inhabited for tens of thousands of years makes it feel even more special.

It’s such a calm, green, and historic place, and one we truly loved exploring on our French road trip.

3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 6

Helen & Andy Travel (Vanlife)

Hi Everyone, We're really sorry about the technical issues with the video, it was my fault for not checking it before I uploaded it!! I'm just uploading a working version, it'll be live soon

3 months ago | [YT] | 15