The village of La Roque Gageac is as old as it is mysterious.

This magnificent village built right into the cliff face and "almost falling into the river" has been occupied by mankind since prehistory. There are remains of an old road and the site of a villa dating from the Gallo-Roman period, as well as a Roman well in excellent condition.

However, recorded history is more recent and dates back to the year 849 and the arrival of the Normans in Périgord. The Hundred Years War did not affect the town and during the Renaissance, with peace restored, the town was decorated with crenellated towers, pointed roofs, and windows in the place of arrow slits, adopting the style of the time. From this period, there are ruins and remains of the old Bishop's castle, the troglodyte forts, the ramparts of the old fortress.

After the Revolution, river traffic increased and made La Roque Gageac a very important port. Having been a military stronghold, the village now became a commercial centre, although these changes did not affect its continuing role as a fishing village.

There is a tropical garden close to the church cultivated by a scientist, the director of the environment at O.C.D.E., which grows twelve species of palm trees, as well as oleander, cacti, orange trees, Japanese medlars and lemon trees.

The village obtained the title of "the most beautiful village in France" some years ago and is classified as the third site in France, after Mont Saint Michel and Rocamadour.