If you had to choose between a week in the Dordogne around Sarlat, Roacamdour area or Provence around St Remy, what would you choose? Right now I'm leaning towards the Dordogne , perhaps because I've done more research into the area. Even though Provence sounds like "the" area to see, I'm a little concerned about it being too touristy and crowded, not that the sights in Dordogne won't be too. We're having to cut back on our trip by a week, so must choose between these two areas. We're doing a week in Paris with a day trip or two (Versailles ), a couple days in Normandy and then an extra week for either the Dordogne or Provence. Also, any comments on Normandy would be appreciated too. We only have a couple days, so I'm thinking one in Bayeux to tour the Omaha beach tour and then maybe one to two days near Honfleur or Le Havre. Kids aren't much for history, but I think they have to do the tour to appreciate the sacrifices made for us. Any recommendations on a shorter tour? Sorry, this ended up being a long winded question, maybe should have made it two.
If you had to choose...
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You don't say how old the "kids" are but you might point out the immaculate conditions of the grave sites..Maintained by the people of the liberation and resting places of the men they thank. Look carefuly at the names and ages of the men there and be grateful for their sacrifice. Many were only just beyond childhood. The tapistry in Bayeaux, commerating the Norman Invasion, is not really a tapistry but an embroidered history of the event. Provence and Dordogne are apples and oranges..Let the kids help choose. Not too far from St. R.(near Lambesc) is a chateau with a zoo sort of adventure (sorry, name escapes me). As far as tourists go they will be everywhere if it is summer. Google summer festivals in both areas. It might help you get a handle on the wheres!
I wouldn't make the choice between Provence and the Dordogne based on how touristed the areas are - they're both jam packed in high season and both have large expat populations. I'd base the choice on what attractions you want to see and what type of scenery you prefer, as they are both radically different in those respects. I'll just say that if you do choose the Dordogne, don't stay in "the Rocamadour area." It's not even in the Dordogne - absolutely great for a daytrip but definitely not a good base.
As for Normandy, I'd spend two nights in Bayeux. Seeing the Mémorial, the D-Day beaches, a cemetery or two, and maybe the museum at Arromanches, plus the tapestry and cathedral and sights of Bayeux merits more than a day. I'd make that one day in Honfleur and one in Rouen.