Dordogne/Paris June 2012 - first some observations
Jul 15th, 2012, 01:35 PM
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Dordogne/Paris June 2012 - first some observations
First, many thanks to everyone who helped me plan this trip, you were an invaluable resource. Just some observations, and then I'll do a separate trip report.
1) I still love traveling to Europe in June. I think the long days are the biggest draw for me, I love leaving restaurants at night and it's still sort of light outside. When I'm in an unfamiliar place, that may not be well lit, those long days are special. And it's much less crowded.
2) No matter how much you research the weather - it may not cooperate. But it doesn't have to ruin your trip. The Dordogne was about 10 degrees cooler and rainier than usual during our stay. I think most of Europe was socked with bad weather. But cooler is better for walking around, and it never rained nonstop ALL day. So we stayed flexible. If it sun came out, we went straight to a garden or to the river to canoe. If it was rainy, we went inside a castle or chateaux. You're still on vacation, not working, and in FRANCE.
3) I was very pleased with Sarlat as a base - we stayed there 6 nights, then 2 more in Figeac. Everything was very accessible, and not far away at all. The old city is beautiful and large enough that there were plenty of (non-touristy) restaurants. The Saturday market in Sarlat was fabulous (we are not market chasers and didn't go to any others).
4) We bought a chip for France for our Garmin and it worked great. Turned out that our rental car had a GPS, but the two were not always in agreement and I think the one we brought was more updated. So on one hand we had the American lady mangling French words, and on the other, a French lady having a heart attack when we didn't follow her directions (TURNER A DROIT! TURNER A DROIT!).
5) How I wished I had stayed strong and listened to everyone and NOT let my husband drive us to Paris. Let's just say the words "overturned tractor trailer" and let you imagine the worse. I told my husband that we were definitely taking the train next time. You may all say a very loud "I told you so".
6) In Paris, we liked staying in the 10th, along Canal St Martin, a new area for us. Four days was not nearly enough, and I've decided that sometime we need to rent an apartment for a few weeks.
7) Food was uniformly wonderful, produce so fresh, everything presented so nicely. We're still grumbling (as always) that there's no good bread to be found in the US.
A soon to follow trip report will let you know where we stayed and what we did. It was a wonderful trip, and again, thanks to everyone who helped with the planning.
Alice
1) I still love traveling to Europe in June. I think the long days are the biggest draw for me, I love leaving restaurants at night and it's still sort of light outside. When I'm in an unfamiliar place, that may not be well lit, those long days are special. And it's much less crowded.
2) No matter how much you research the weather - it may not cooperate. But it doesn't have to ruin your trip. The Dordogne was about 10 degrees cooler and rainier than usual during our stay. I think most of Europe was socked with bad weather. But cooler is better for walking around, and it never rained nonstop ALL day. So we stayed flexible. If it sun came out, we went straight to a garden or to the river to canoe. If it was rainy, we went inside a castle or chateaux. You're still on vacation, not working, and in FRANCE.
3) I was very pleased with Sarlat as a base - we stayed there 6 nights, then 2 more in Figeac. Everything was very accessible, and not far away at all. The old city is beautiful and large enough that there were plenty of (non-touristy) restaurants. The Saturday market in Sarlat was fabulous (we are not market chasers and didn't go to any others).
4) We bought a chip for France for our Garmin and it worked great. Turned out that our rental car had a GPS, but the two were not always in agreement and I think the one we brought was more updated. So on one hand we had the American lady mangling French words, and on the other, a French lady having a heart attack when we didn't follow her directions (TURNER A DROIT! TURNER A DROIT!).
5) How I wished I had stayed strong and listened to everyone and NOT let my husband drive us to Paris. Let's just say the words "overturned tractor trailer" and let you imagine the worse. I told my husband that we were definitely taking the train next time. You may all say a very loud "I told you so".
6) In Paris, we liked staying in the 10th, along Canal St Martin, a new area for us. Four days was not nearly enough, and I've decided that sometime we need to rent an apartment for a few weeks.
7) Food was uniformly wonderful, produce so fresh, everything presented so nicely. We're still grumbling (as always) that there's no good bread to be found in the US.
A soon to follow trip report will let you know where we stayed and what we did. It was a wonderful trip, and again, thanks to everyone who helped with the planning.
Alice
Jul 15th, 2012, 01:45 PM
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Can't wait for the report! I will be going to Paris/Dordogne next June (my first time driving abroad, but only in the Dordogne). I'm trying to decide between Garmin and Tom Tom; I want to program it in advance.
Sorry about the tractor trailer incident. I can just imagine hours on end of sitting. Also, let me know what the traffic was like driving in and out of Sarlat each day. I'm considering it as a base, but don't want the traffic issues. My other choice is Domme.
Sorry about the tractor trailer incident. I can just imagine hours on end of sitting. Also, let me know what the traffic was like driving in and out of Sarlat each day. I'm considering it as a base, but don't want the traffic issues. My other choice is Domme.
Jul 15th, 2012, 01:56 PM
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Can't wait for the trip report. I'm glad you had a great time in spite of the weather (which you can never quite account for). We've travelled in spring and fall and have had our share of the good and no so good weather. You always have to make the best of it regardless. Attitude accounts for 90% of the enjoyment.
Jul 15th, 2012, 05:57 PM
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Hi,
I happened to stumble upon this forum and need advice. I will visit Toulouse, Sarlat, Albi and maybe Rocamadour for the first week of October. I will arrive in Toulouse by train and plan to rent a car. I will travel solo and wondering which rental company is realible and how hard it is to deal with the paperwork. Is it better for me to rent an automatic or manual car? I used to drive stick shift car long ago before moving to the US. Does the gas station in France operate the same way as the US and accept credit card? How much do I expect to spend for gas for a week driving around those area?
Thanks.
I happened to stumble upon this forum and need advice. I will visit Toulouse, Sarlat, Albi and maybe Rocamadour for the first week of October. I will arrive in Toulouse by train and plan to rent a car. I will travel solo and wondering which rental company is realible and how hard it is to deal with the paperwork. Is it better for me to rent an automatic or manual car? I used to drive stick shift car long ago before moving to the US. Does the gas station in France operate the same way as the US and accept credit card? How much do I expect to spend for gas for a week driving around those area?
Thanks.
Jul 15th, 2012, 07:07 PM
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Alice----I will be following your TR for our Sept. trip to the Dordogne. We also are staying in Sarlat for 1 week so I will be interested in your restaurant reviews along with the touring tips you might have.
Here's the apt. we are staying in, you might recognize the square.If there are any restaurants that you liked close to the Aladin apt. I'd love to hear about them.
https://plus.google.com/photos/10130...33892272529345
What a great outlook you have about the weather. Just being in France is wonderful no matter what the weather is like.
We thought about driving but in the end decided to take the train to Paris from Brive. We'll only be in Paris for 4 nights and I have to agree that it won't be enough time. Even though it's our 9th visit to Paris I can never get enough of that fabulous place.
I am very much looking forward to reading about all of your adventures.
Here's the apt. we are staying in, you might recognize the square.If there are any restaurants that you liked close to the Aladin apt. I'd love to hear about them.
https://plus.google.com/photos/10130...33892272529345
What a great outlook you have about the weather. Just being in France is wonderful no matter what the weather is like.
We thought about driving but in the end decided to take the train to Paris from Brive. We'll only be in Paris for 4 nights and I have to agree that it won't be enough time. Even though it's our 9th visit to Paris I can never get enough of that fabulous place.
I am very much looking forward to reading about all of your adventures.
Jul 16th, 2012, 03:46 PM
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Susan001 - I don't Domme is big enough to base in, unless it just for a few days. Just my opinion.
Nancy1652, never been to Berkeley, but if I go, I will consult with you on bakeries!
java_2012 - an automatic car will cost you a FORTUNE, plan on a manual, and practice at home if you have to. Our car took diesel, which was cheaper, but the prices are MUCH higher than here. How much you'll spend will depend on how much driving you do. While in the Dordogne, we never had to go THAT far.
Off to do that report.
Alice
Nancy1652, never been to Berkeley, but if I go, I will consult with you on bakeries!
java_2012 - an automatic car will cost you a FORTUNE, plan on a manual, and practice at home if you have to. Our car took diesel, which was cheaper, but the prices are MUCH higher than here. How much you'll spend will depend on how much driving you do. While in the Dordogne, we never had to go THAT far.
Off to do that report.
Alice
Jul 16th, 2012, 05:17 PM
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Alice, Thanks for your advice. Was the traffic much of a problem getting back to Sarlat in the evening (and leaving in the morning)? And what about parking in Sarlat?
Looking forward to more of your report.
Looking forward to more of your report.
Jul 17th, 2012, 02:31 PM
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@Java_2012, if you want more responses, please start your "own" thread! Although I will say here, that if you can drive a stick, (it is like riding a bike) it saves you big bucks. The cars in Europe seem to go farther without needing a fillup....but fuel is more expensive. The petrol stations are pretty self-explanatory. Some you will fill up at a pump and then pay at a window, or you might pay first then pump...Some may take a credit card at the pump, they vary.
We almost always use AutoEurope. There's a French map site called Mappy, which can estimate the distance, fuel costs and tolls for you. Maybe Google does as well, I just used Mappy last time we were in France.
We almost always use AutoEurope. There's a French map site called Mappy, which can estimate the distance, fuel costs and tolls for you. Maybe Google does as well, I just used Mappy last time we were in France.
Jul 18th, 2012, 07:56 AM
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Java_2012, you might consider starting a post entitled "renting a car in France" (or search for one that might already exist) to get more suggestions.
But a few points - fuel prices may be high, but mpg on the small cars can be very high too, sometimes as high as 40-50 miles per gallon.
My favorite mapping site is viamichelin.com, which I slightly prefer to mappy.com. Do NOT use Mapquest!
I have used AutoEurope for years. It's a broker, not a car rental agency per se. Their customer service is good. Your contract is with them, not the agency itself (Hertz, National, etc.), and they will go to bat for you if the individual agency tries to mess you over with changing rates, adding unnecessary insurances, etc.
But a few points - fuel prices may be high, but mpg on the small cars can be very high too, sometimes as high as 40-50 miles per gallon.
My favorite mapping site is viamichelin.com, which I slightly prefer to mappy.com. Do NOT use Mapquest!
I have used AutoEurope for years. It's a broker, not a car rental agency per se. Their customer service is good. Your contract is with them, not the agency itself (Hertz, National, etc.), and they will go to bat for you if the individual agency tries to mess you over with changing rates, adding unnecessary insurances, etc.
