Traveling in Dordogne (Sarlat) and Normandy areas
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:11 AM
#1
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Traveling in Dordogne (Sarlat) and Normandy areas
My daughters will be traveling to France in May and plan to spend a week in Paris.
After that, they would like to go to Normandy to see the d-day beaches, etc., and do a day trip to Mont St. Michel.
They also want to travel to Sarlat/Dordogne area to see the caves and castles.
Will they need a rental car in Normandy and Sarlat to get around? I would hate to see them get to their destinations, but once there, not be able to get around. Is their public transportation in these towns that they can use to get to even some of the sights?
Can they easily get from Normandy to Mont St. Michel?
How difficult is coordinating the train from Paris to Bordeaux, and once in Bordeaux, is there a bus that goes to Sarlat?
Any input is appreciated.
After that, they would like to go to Normandy to see the d-day beaches, etc., and do a day trip to Mont St. Michel.
They also want to travel to Sarlat/Dordogne area to see the caves and castles.
Will they need a rental car in Normandy and Sarlat to get around? I would hate to see them get to their destinations, but once there, not be able to get around. Is their public transportation in these towns that they can use to get to even some of the sights?
Can they easily get from Normandy to Mont St. Michel?
How difficult is coordinating the train from Paris to Bordeaux, and once in Bordeaux, is there a bus that goes to Sarlat?
Any input is appreciated.
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:21 AM
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Getting around in Normandy is possible without a car, but would involve joining day tours. Public transportation to le Mont-St-Michel is a big pain.
Getting around the Dordogne without a car is virtually impossible. Getting to Sarlat even on the train involves a lengthy ride on a "milk train" that stops at every crossing along the way. In fact, they shouldn't even plan to go to Bordeaux or plan on taking a train to Sarlat. They should take the train from Paris to Brive-la-Gaillarde, pick up a rental car, and drive to Sarlat. They're going to need a car anyway.
Getting around the Dordogne without a car is virtually impossible. Getting to Sarlat even on the train involves a lengthy ride on a "milk train" that stops at every crossing along the way. In fact, they shouldn't even plan to go to Bordeaux or plan on taking a train to Sarlat. They should take the train from Paris to Brive-la-Gaillarde, pick up a rental car, and drive to Sarlat. They're going to need a car anyway.
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:22 AM
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As for Normandy, they should rent a car. There are limited options for public transport for the D-day areas. Take a look at http://www.busverts.fr/carte/index.php?verif=1 for bus transportation. Line 70 in Green will take you to many of the D-Day areas, but the number of buses and the times will likely make it difficult. If they are training from Paris, I'd recommend stopping at Caen, renting the car across the street from the station and stopping first at the Peace Museum in Caen. From there, Bayeux for the Tapestry, then work their way west along the coast stopping at the sites on their itinerary as they go. If they plan on stopping at any site on the Cotenin Peninsula - Carentan, etc., then they're halfway to Le Mont St. Michel, on the border between Brittany and Normandy.
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:38 AM
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It is easy to visit Mont-Saint-Michel from Bayeux - the favorite Normandy d-day base for many - by train - many days you can leave Bayeux at 7:30 and arrive at the Pontorson-Mont-Saint-Michel train station at 9:15 with return trains to Bayeux around 3:45 and 5:30pm -plenty of time on the island itself - shuttle buses scoot from the Pontorson train station to the Mount itself - so this is an easy day trip by train but it does require an early start as the next departure is too late for practical purposes.
And it is easy to get to Sarlat by train even though you need to yes take a delightful milk train from Lilbourne, on the TGV-Atlantique line from Paris - once in Sarlat you can walk to some caves and take local buses to the nearby perched villages or caves - check the Sarlat Tourist Office for mini-bus trips - yes a car would be better but would cost a whole lot more than trains and local buses and excursions once there.
You simply do not need a car in Normandy to see what most folks want to see - the D-Day beaches as there are numerous mini-bus tours from Bayeux to the top sites - like Battlebus which gets good reviews. And I have bicycled all over Normandy as well so if the kids are energetic they could rent a bike to do the D-Day beach areas as I have done several times.
If you kiddos are under 26 have them investigate the France Youth Railpass - anyway for great info on French trains - www.voyages-sncf.com (official site French railways) and www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.
And it is easy to get to Sarlat by train even though you need to yes take a delightful milk train from Lilbourne, on the TGV-Atlantique line from Paris - once in Sarlat you can walk to some caves and take local buses to the nearby perched villages or caves - check the Sarlat Tourist Office for mini-bus trips - yes a car would be better but would cost a whole lot more than trains and local buses and excursions once there.
You simply do not need a car in Normandy to see what most folks want to see - the D-Day beaches as there are numerous mini-bus tours from Bayeux to the top sites - like Battlebus which gets good reviews. And I have bicycled all over Normandy as well so if the kids are energetic they could rent a bike to do the D-Day beach areas as I have done several times.
If you kiddos are under 26 have them investigate the France Youth Railpass - anyway for great info on French trains - www.voyages-sncf.com (official site French railways) and www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:41 AM
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For bus info from Sarlat to say Montignac and its famous Lascaux Cave Reproduction:
Buses: Trans-Périgord (☎05 53 02 20 85; www.cg24.fr), at the train station. To Souillac (40min., 3 per day, €4.70) and Périgueux (1hr., €8.90) via Montignac. CFTA, pl. Pasteur (☎05 55 59 01 48), runs a bus to Périgueux via Montignac (1hr.; Sept.-June M-F 6am, July-Aug. W 7:30am; €11).
Read more: http://www.letsgo.com/2527-dordogne-...#ixzz1pCjmP1KU
Buses: Trans-Périgord (☎05 53 02 20 85; www.cg24.fr), at the train station. To Souillac (40min., 3 per day, €4.70) and Périgueux (1hr., €8.90) via Montignac. CFTA, pl. Pasteur (☎05 55 59 01 48), runs a bus to Périgueux via Montignac (1hr.; Sept.-June M-F 6am, July-Aug. W 7:30am; €11).
Read more: http://www.letsgo.com/2527-dordogne-...#ixzz1pCjmP1KU
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:54 AM
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<<And it is easy to get to Sarlat by train even though you need to yes take a delightful milk train from Lilbourne>>
I disagree. It is NOT easy - it takes at least 3 hours, and there are many better options.
<<once in Sarlat you can walk to some caves and take local buses to the nearby perched villages or caves>>
Really! Which caves can you walk to? I'd really love to know.
And the local buses go to Souillac and Montignac and Périgueux - where else do they go, Pal?
Here's the official Sarlat Tourist Office website:
http://www.sarlat-tourisme.com/en/
Please show me where it mentions mini-bus tours. It doesn't.
I disagree. It is NOT easy - it takes at least 3 hours, and there are many better options.
<<once in Sarlat you can walk to some caves and take local buses to the nearby perched villages or caves>>
Really! Which caves can you walk to? I'd really love to know.
And the local buses go to Souillac and Montignac and Périgueux - where else do they go, Pal?
Here's the official Sarlat Tourist Office website:
http://www.sarlat-tourisme.com/en/
Please show me where it mentions mini-bus tours. It doesn't.
Mar 15th, 2012, 08:57 AM
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Pal, the Lascaux II site isn't even CLOSE to Montignac, though it's within the town's jurisdiction. Please stop giving out inaccurate information! I don't think you have a clue what you are talking about!
Mar 15th, 2012, 11:18 AM
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Really! Which caves can you walk to? I'd really love to know>
the open-air caves that I did indeed walk to just out of town.
A 3 hour train ride ain't that bad
and when I was in Montignac I remember the reproduction being in town - i may well be wrong on that. OK 3 km - wow a 2-mile walk for younger folk?
St Cirq - you too are guilty of misinformation IMO when you say getting to Sarlat by train is really hard - it ain't - one simple change of train. OPs wanted to avoid a car rental and you tell them the only practical way to get to Sarlat is by car? That is misinformation and the train is a great way to go.
OP - that said St Cirq in most ways is a veteran traveler in the area who guides many people around and in most cases knows her stuff - except when she/he keeps repeating this nonsense about how hard it is to get to Sarlat by train.
but again St Cirq is otherwise a real expert on the area - much more than I am - you can also get out of Sarlat by bus to Souillac, on a main line from and to Paris and the south of France.
I guess if you want to explore every perched village, etc you would need a car - but to get to the main sites I think you can do without - bicycle rentals are a viable option - I actually have biked around the area a lot - and to experience France by bike is great, caves or not. Consider taking the train to Sarlat and then biking to nearby sites and caves.
the open-air caves that I did indeed walk to just out of town.
A 3 hour train ride ain't that bad
and when I was in Montignac I remember the reproduction being in town - i may well be wrong on that. OK 3 km - wow a 2-mile walk for younger folk?
St Cirq - you too are guilty of misinformation IMO when you say getting to Sarlat by train is really hard - it ain't - one simple change of train. OPs wanted to avoid a car rental and you tell them the only practical way to get to Sarlat is by car? That is misinformation and the train is a great way to go.
OP - that said St Cirq in most ways is a veteran traveler in the area who guides many people around and in most cases knows her stuff - except when she/he keeps repeating this nonsense about how hard it is to get to Sarlat by train.
but again St Cirq is otherwise a real expert on the area - much more than I am - you can also get out of Sarlat by bus to Souillac, on a main line from and to Paris and the south of France.
I guess if you want to explore every perched village, etc you would need a car - but to get to the main sites I think you can do without - bicycle rentals are a viable option - I actually have biked around the area a lot - and to experience France by bike is great, caves or not. Consider taking the train to Sarlat and then biking to nearby sites and caves.
Mar 15th, 2012, 11:33 AM
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1. What "open air caves?" Where? What's an "open-air cave" anyway, and why would anyone visiting the Dordogne want to walk to some "open-air cave?" The ones people go there to visit all have names, aren't "open-air," and cannot be walked to from Sarlat unless we are talking about hours-long hikes.
2. Nobody in their right mind takes a train to Sarlat anymore. They either take the train to Brive and rent a car or take the TGV to Libourne or Bordeaux and rent a car, or take the regular train to Périgueux and rent a car. Most of the trains going to Sarlat don't even take passengers.
3. There's not a single perched village in the Dordogne that I know of that's accessible by bus. Montignac, Souillac, and Périgueux aren't perched villages.
4. Lascaux II is NOT "in town" in Montignac. It's in the middle of the woods, a few kilometers away. Even if the girls in question are young and agile, it's not realistic to expect anyone to take an infrequent bus to Montignac, climb out in the middle of town, and set off on a hike to see Lascaux II, then hike back and hope to get a bus back to wherever.
5. The OP never said they wanted to avoid a car rental.
2. Nobody in their right mind takes a train to Sarlat anymore. They either take the train to Brive and rent a car or take the TGV to Libourne or Bordeaux and rent a car, or take the regular train to Périgueux and rent a car. Most of the trains going to Sarlat don't even take passengers.
3. There's not a single perched village in the Dordogne that I know of that's accessible by bus. Montignac, Souillac, and Périgueux aren't perched villages.
4. Lascaux II is NOT "in town" in Montignac. It's in the middle of the woods, a few kilometers away. Even if the girls in question are young and agile, it's not realistic to expect anyone to take an infrequent bus to Montignac, climb out in the middle of town, and set off on a hike to see Lascaux II, then hike back and hope to get a bus back to wherever.
5. The OP never said they wanted to avoid a car rental.
Mar 15th, 2012, 12:28 PM
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The OP never said they wanted to avoid a car rental, the OP said "will they need a rental car to get around". Sounds like they'd like to avoid driving a rental car if it is possible to get around.
I'm also glad to know that ony mentally unstable people take the train to Sarlat, I'll certainly avoid it.
I'm also glad to know that ony mentally unstable people take the train to Sarlat, I'll certainly avoid it.
Mar 15th, 2012, 01:03 PM
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We travel to the Dordogne frequently, and I wouldn't even think of going there and planning on getting around and visiting the sites by public transportation. We often park in Sarlat near a taxi stand - and I've never seen a taxi there.
Rent a car.
In Normandy after MSM, I would get to Rennes (one of my "top 5" large cities in France), stay overnight, and then take the train to Bordeaux.
Lv Rennes @ 8:54 arrive in Bordeaux at 14:20 or
Lv Rennes @ 12:30 and arrive in Bordeaux at 18:11
Both of these itineraries involve a train change in Nantes.
Stu Dudley
Rent a car.
In Normandy after MSM, I would get to Rennes (one of my "top 5" large cities in France), stay overnight, and then take the train to Bordeaux.
Lv Rennes @ 8:54 arrive in Bordeaux at 14:20 or
Lv Rennes @ 12:30 and arrive in Bordeaux at 18:11
Both of these itineraries involve a train change in Nantes.
Stu Dudley
Mar 15th, 2012, 01:10 PM
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Re: the "open air" caves... is this the place you're thinking of, PQ?
http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/p...b579#h1777b579
St.C: I'm having a mental block and can't remember the name of the place, help me here.
Anyway, that might be what Pal was thinking of(?)
http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/p...b579#h1777b579
St.C: I'm having a mental block and can't remember the name of the place, help me here.
Anyway, that might be what Pal was thinking of(?)
Mar 15th, 2012, 01:55 PM
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I know, mr_go, but Pal said he walked to the "open-air caves." So it's highly unlikely it was La Roque-St-Christophe. Anyway, I think it's safe to say the OP's daughters will need a car and won't be walking to any open-air caves.
Mar 15th, 2012, 01:55 PM
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PalenQ, if you've rented bikes in the Dordogne many times, I give you credit for still being alive and having nerves of steel.
The twisty heavily wooded roads there just do not seem bicycle friendly to me Quite the opposite, I'd be terrified to bike there. Even if my preference was not to rent a car, it is certainly a better option than a bicycle.
The twisty heavily wooded roads there just do not seem bicycle friendly to me Quite the opposite, I'd be terrified to bike there. Even if my preference was not to rent a car, it is certainly a better option than a bicycle.
