kansas

Now that I have the Dordogne area figured out, time to focus on these areas. We will arrive in Toulouse on a Monday from U.S. around noon. Tuesday we will spend in Toulouse. Wednesday, we will pick up our car from railway station.

Originally, I had not planned on spending time in Albi, but after seeing some Fodor's photos, I decided it looks too good to pass up. So, instead, I have nixed Castlenau de Montmiral.

Here goes:

Wednesday morning: pick up car. Head for Albi. Visit church and museum, etc. After Albi...Cordes sur Ciel, Bruniquel, Penne, St. Antonin Noble Val, perhaps see a little of Gorges de l'Aveyron. Then on to Domaine de la Rhue.

Thursday: Grotte du Pech-Merle, St. Cirq Lapopie, Cele River drive. Perhaps see Cahors from outside. Rocamadour end of day.

Friday: Leave Domaine de la Rhue. Gouffre de Padirac, Autoire, Loubressac, Carennac, Martel, Collonges la Rouge, and finally Turenne before heading to Sarlat.

Is Wednesday way too full? If so, what should I think about omitting? How about the other days? Doable?

As always, thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

Rosemary

iris1745

Hi Rosemary; For Wednesday, going straight to Rocamadour is about two hours. But going to Albi first, just a bit off to the east could add another half hour drive time. You may spend a few hours in Albi. I think Cordes sur Ciel, very near Albi, deserves another two hours at least. For me , you now have a full day. Keep in mind, that the Domaine de la Rhue is on the left as you are going north, with just a small sign and a long driveway. We enjoyed staying there. Richard

kansas

Thanks, Iris. I had a feeling I was trying to do WAY too much on Wednesday. I will have to make a choice, I see. Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel or Cordes-sur-Ciel and Bruniquel, Penne, etc. This will just give me a reason to go back. Not all bad!

winnick

Hi Rosemary,
We are also planning our trip for this area in June and have 2 days in Toulouse with 6 days driving in that area before heading to Sarlat. We are also staying at the Domaine de la Rhue.

Would agree with Iris1745 that you probably have too much planned on Wed. I think other experts on this site (Stu!)might also think you have too much planned for Sat on your way to Sarlat.

You could probably do day trips from Sarlat to Autoire & Loubressac

This is our plan:
Day 1 & 2: Toulouse
Day 3: Drive to Carcassone, then Albi(stops in between)
Day 4: Cordes Sur Ciel, Bruniquel, St Antonin Nobel Val, St. Cirq Lapopie
Day 5: Pech Merle, Figeac (& possibly Conques)
Day 6: Padirac, Autoire, Loubressac & Ch Montal or Bretenoux, drive to Rocamadour
Day 7: Beaulie-s-Dordogne, Collonges-La-Route,Martel, Turenne & then return to Rocamadour
Day 8: (Brentenoux if mssied) Carennac, Lacave, drive to Sarlat


We've also used much advice from this forum. It's great!

Happy planning.

StCirq

<<So, instead, I have nixed Castlenau de Montmiral.>>

Castelnau-de-Montmiral is a speck on the map. It takes more time to drive up there and down again than it does to see the place. So it shouldn't be a matter of contrasting it with Albi, which is a large town with many attractions. If you're headed past C-d-M, drive up and take a look-see. It won't be more than 15 minutes out of your day.

And yes, Wednesday is impossible, but you knew that.

StuDudley

Yep - Wed is a little tight. However, Penne, St Antonin, and Bruniquel are close to each other - so if you want to get to Rocamadour at 6pm (for example), leave this region at 4:15. See as much as you have time for.

I sure would not miss Castelnau de Montmiral. Take the D600 from Albi to Cordes, visit, then the D922, the D1 (quite scenic), then backtrack a little on the D964 to Castelnau. Like St Cirq states - it is a quick, but lovely village to visit. The D964 to Bruniquel is a very pretty road also (I actually have "pretty" written next to the road on my map). Penne may just be a drive-by.

Stu Dudley

kansas

Thanks, everyone!

I will put Castlenau de Montmiral back in the plan! And we will just see as much as we can and plan a return trip to see what we missed. We will savor what we do see!