NeoPatrick

Michael, all of Southern France is new to him. We're planning on time in Nice and also probably several days in Aix-en-Provence. But I'm thinking Dordogne over Languedoc. My memories of the former are stronger than my memories of the latter. I've always had weeks (or even months) for exploring, so trying to narrow down just a couple of places for highlights for him isn't easy. And to be honest, the other alternative is to go up to Lyon for a few days after Nice and Aix. We could even turn our car in there and do a cheap Easy Jet to Barcelona. I know he'd love Lyon. Maybe exploring the small towns of Provence will be enough of that for him.

aliced

Ok, we have booked (cancellable) hotels and have decided on, after 5 nts in Sarlat, to do one night in Rocamadour, two nights in Albi, two nights in Toulouse and yes seeing Carcassonne on the way over to Provence. Seems Albi more central to several villages we wish to hit over Rocamadour which is very close to Sarlat. Yes, I have ordered the Cadogan guide. We will stay in Arles, hoped to get up to Pont du Gard before arrv'l there. We do not like to have a too-scheduled day, As it turns out, Stu, I have a copy of your Dordogne itinr which I found in my Favorites but at this point, need to think about the holidays, and we'll worry about transportation next Spring. Yes, Figeac/Figues/Five AC is where we'll go. Prefer to meander and stay off the A roads, but we'll see. Toulouse no doubt problematic parking but most cities are, so we'll see, we can switch out a night but do try to avoid one-nighters. However, with a car, they're much easier. As to just-above post, the South of France to me means the Riviera and easternmost Provence but Southern France is Perigord/Dordogne, L-R and points below. Let's not start a lengthy thread on this though.

StuDudley

I made revisions to my Dordogne guide last year around Aug, and also to my Provence guide this year around August. Make sure you have the latest copies. "Rev date" is on the last page of each itinerary.

You'll have to take an A road to go from Toulouse to Carcassonne to Provence if you want to get to Provence on the same day you departed Toulouse. Inland through all the canyons, mountains, & winding roads will take multiple days.

Stu Dudley

chutney

Sorry, I have been checked out for a few weeks.
Trying to book places to stay for the trip I started this inquiry about. I also had to work on bookings for the start of the trip with my mother and two sisters. We are all meeting in Paris mid September. We will stay in an apartment together for a week then take the TGV to Avignon. We'll spend five nights in a B&B just outside of St Remy with a rental car. My sisters have never been to Provence, so it will be fun showing them my favorite spots.
They will fly out of Marseilles and I will take the TGV back to Paris to meet my husband at Gare Montparnasse (I think ) for the train to Bordeaux (yes, I'm back to Bordeaux- we toyed with the Loire Valley but decided to save that for another trip). We also talked about spending those extra two days around St. Cirq, but I'm concerned my husband will be so wiped out from the trip and not enjoy it. We will spend two nights in the Bordeaux area (I've contacted a few B&Bs in the country side between Bordeaux and St Emillion. Thought a couple total relaxation days would be nice. Good food and good wine. Sounds perfect. Then, we will drive the couple hours to Beynac where we are renting a house for a week.

Rental starts on a Friday, so we will be able to take advantage of the Saturday market in Sarlat. My thought process for a week in Beynac is that all the key sites are an easy day trip. The only thing I'm a bit disappointed about is that we probably won't see Peche Merle. Maybe we will bite the bullet and drive there for the day. It's about 2 hours each way.
After our week in the Dordogne we will take the train back to Paris for 4 nights before heading home.

aliced

Ok, great, got our Cadogan guide, lots of time to tweak; we'll check your latest revisions of the itinerary. Chutney, we too will be in Sarlat for the market and somewhere for the feast of Patrimonie.

TPAYT

When in Sarlat check out this ceramic gallery
BEN KENZA
4 Rue Jean-Jacques-Escands
We purchased some very different and small circular vases (about 4-6 in.across) Very easy to pack for gifts.

Favorite restaurant in Sarlat
CHEZ GAULOIS
9 Rue de Tourny
Tartiflette was so good we went there twice.

The Dordogne was one of our favorite adventures in France. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

sugarmaple

Pech Merle was a highlight of our trip to the Dordorgne this past September/October.

If you go, book early if you want an English tour. Within about a 10 day window, there was only one English tour available. So, so worth it! Way better than Lascaux II in our opinion.

Gouffre de Padirac was also great at that time of year - no crowds, and we had a boat all to ourselves.

See, nine days isn't nearly enough for the Dordogne!

Christina

We were in Dijon one year for Patrimonie (fabulous)>>

FYI It isn't "Patrimonie", it is patrimoine. Patrimoine means heritage. I don't think patrimonie is even a word in French.

for programmes, see http://www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/

aliced

Christina, thank you for the clarification on "Patrimoine" as opposed to "patrimonie," which I quoted from early on this thread, an obvious misspelling, as I laughed and thought of "palimony." Thank you for the link, and also thanks to Tpayt for ceramics & restaurant link; also we definitely intend to see Peche Merle, Sugarmaple.

nola77382

Bookmarking.

Dee_Dee

Bookmarking.

cafegoddess

Bookmarking

ahhorst

Bookmarking