adrien

We will be flying in and out of Toulouse. The first four nights are booked at Le Vieux Logis in Tremolat. Is Tremolat a good choice for the western/northern part of the Dordogne region? Also, I need help finding another hotel for the remaining 5 nights. This hotel should be located in a region that would be central to accessing the rest of the Dordogne and Lot Valleys.

Could you please also assist me in forming an itinerary that would follow a leisurely pace- including caves, bastide towns, castles, market visits , picnics, canoeing and hiking?

Looking forward to your response-- thanks!

Lexma90

I'm not Stu, but I can tell you that Tremolat is not the greatest location for touring the Dordogne. There are fewer sights (and sites) that far west (not that Tremolat is that far west, just further west than most places you'll want to see). We stayed at Le Vieux Logis (lovely, of course) on one trip to the Dordogne - we stayed in Domme for the other days, then spent one night at Vieux Logis on our way to Bordeaux.

StuDudley

I agree with Lexma90 about Tremolat. Almost everything you'll want to see will be east of Tremolat. Stay closer to Sarlat (Roque Gageac, Beynac, Domme, etc) for part of your trip, then stay somewhere east of Souillac to see the sites in the eastern region. I would stay 5-6 nights in the Sarlat area, then move to the eastern region/Rocamadour for 3-4 nights.

Let me know your exact dates of arrival & departure, and if you're willing to stay closer to Sarlat & I'll suggest some things to do that won't wear you out.

My FIL just moved from Indiana to 5 mins from us near San Francisco, so I'm a little busy getting him settled right now & I may not be able to get back to you immediatly.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

Does it have to be Stu?

Trémolat is not a good choice. The Vieux Logis is a lovely property (especially if you like to hang out with stodgy Scots in kilts carrying their terriers to dinner), but it's really kind of the backwater of the Dordogne, and apart from the Vieux Logis, there's very little there. Lots of other towns are livelier, more interesting, and closer to the sites.

For the other part of your trip, consider the Domaine de la Rhue near Rocamadour.

Carlux

Once again, as I have said before, I have never seen a stodgy Scot in kilt at the Vieux Logis. Their 'tapas' lunch is superb, and we go several times a year for that. It's a beautiful - and expensive - place, but I guess you know that already.

However, the area around Sarlat is still the most convenient for seeing the Dordogne.

RoseCope

I agree with StCirq, Trémolat is not a good choice. We stayed near Cadouin (UNESCO abbey)which we found very central to the main sites in the Perigord Noir, such as Monpazier, Beynac, Sarlat, Les Eyzies, La Roque-Gageac, Castelnaud, Bergerac, Les Milandes, Monbazillac, Domme, Marqueyssac, Vezere valley, Limeuil and Issigeac. The area known as 'Les Pays des Bastides' is utterly charming. There is a top quality little 3 star Auberge/Hotel, Auberge de La Salvetat where we stayed and I would highly recommend that for a few days visiting the area. Food excellent and beautiful quiet location. Beware Sarlat in July and August, because as beautiful as it is Sarlat swarms with people in the height of the season and parking is impossible!

Michael

<i>Is Tremolat a good choice for the western/northern part of the Dordogne region?</i>

Not close to the northern part of the Dordogne.

iris1745

As StCirq said, www.domainedelarhue.com is a very nice place to stay. Near Rocamadour. Good breakfast. Richard

adrien

Thank you all for your responses.I have changed my plans thanks to your recommendations and will not be staying in Tremolat. I will arrive June 25, hopefully stay in Domme/Sarlat for 5 nights, then 4 nights in Rocamadour (hopefully at Domaine de la Rhue - thanks to your suggestion.
Does anyone - including Stu - have a recommendation for a Domme/Sarlat hotel? and itineraries because I want to make reservations at the caves.

StuDudley

We stay in Gites - so I don't have any first-hand info about hotels.

Do you have my 20+ page itinerary for the Dordogne??? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail.

I'm leaving for most of the day in 15 mins.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

L'Esplanade in Domme is a nice hotel with a wonderful restaurant.

tower

One more for Domaine de la Rhue...a nice little hike from there to Rocamadour through the woods, ending at the top level of Roc...the Domaine's stables have been converted to very large rooms..nice pool, also. The owners are a "young" couple who are very accomodating. These days, everyone is "young"...

The beautiful villages along Cirque de Autoire are very close also...as is the dramatic Gouffre du Padirac. Great location for these Eastern Dordogne, and Lot areas. We had one dinner at the very close Chateau de Romagouse (sp.)..superb and not a bank-breaker.
The Esplanade in Domme is on a rise overlooking perhaps the most popular view of the river (shows up on all the postcards),...photo op. We enjoyed our lunch there a few years ago.

stu T. (not the Stu you seek, but do get his write-up)

tcreath

StuDudley, I hope you don't mind but I sent you an email to request your itinerary as well. We are considering a trip to the area next Spring and I'm a little overwhelmed at this point.

Thanks!
Tracy

tower

I'm the othe Stu, but at least I can say hi, Tracy!! Hope all is well with the WHOLE famly down there in Charlotte..
stu

Sue4

Another vote for Domaine de la Rhue. The owners are lovely, and so helpful.

annhig

adrien - do not miss the gouffre de padirac as mentioned by tower. along with Lascaux it was the highlight of our visit to the dordogne.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

tcreath

Hi Stu (tower)! We are all doing fine. I can't believe the girls will be 5 months old next week! My mom so graciously offered to come and stay with them next year so we can get away for a week, hence my interest in the Dordogne. By then we will need a break!

I hope you are doing well!!

Tracy

taconictraveler

Hi to both Stu's! and Stu Tower, everyone looks really young to me also.
AND here's another hand raised for Domaine de la Rhue. The young owners were even younger several years ago when DH and I were staying there, and they went way out of their way to help us when DH suddenly came down with chills and fever which turned out to be Lyme Disease. Even got their doctor to give up his lunch hour to see us. (and tho'the doc had never then heard of Lyme, he prescribed exactly the right anti-biotic. happy ending.)

adrien

Need to make a decision--

between L'Esplanade in Domme , La Lanterne in Sarlat or Hotel du Chateau in Beynac-- all for five nights--

if one can think of something better-- that would be great too

Lexma90

We've stayed in the Sarlat area on two different trips.

Once at l'Esplanade, in Domme. It is a very nice place, of course. We were in the Annex, which was interesting because it was in a separate, old building, and our room was the entire uppermost floor floor, so it was spacious. Probably not as high-end as the rooms in the actual hotel, though. I found driving up and down from there to be somewhat of a hassle, especially as we only ate at l'Esplanade one night, and elsewhere the other nights.

The other time, we stayed right in Sarlat. The traffic wasn't too bad, except that it was road repair season, and I loved being right in town. We could sit in the place and have drinks before dinner, and for two of our nights there, we ate in town and so walked to dinner. We stayed in a B&B that, while lovely, spacious and clean, didn't offer the services that I'm guessing you're seeking, based on your other choices. I'd probably vote for La Lanterne, just becuase it's in Sarlat.