Lindsay

I've heard amazing things about the Lot/Dordogne region and I'm in the process of looking for a gites or similar place to stay in that area. They are fairly spread out and I only know that Cahors is a good city to be near...any other suggestions?

Michael

You probably should split your stay in two. One in the Lot (Cahors), the other in the Dordogne (Sarlat or Périgueux, or in-between near Montignac).

[email protected]

Sarlat is a very beautiful town. Hilly and walkable. Domme is nice too.

mimi

lindsay, I am reading a wonderful memoir
about a village and it's restaurant in the Lot written by a writer, Michael Sanders from Maine. lots of valid information and insight to the neighboring villages. This book is titled,"From Here You can Almost See Paris" (seasons of a French Village and its Restaurant) We didn't get to this village but plan to this year. We opt for The Moulin de Roc outside Brantome
and in the incredible village of St. Cirque-Lapopie, I village I was told to avoid but glad we went there were no junky shops, mostly all artisans. I bought a beautiful hand made jacket in one shop and small drawing in a galleryPeople were very friendly and helpful.

StCirq

Lindsay: Michael is right if you are going to be there for a week or more (and you should!). Especially in summer, the back roads are narrow and crowded, and getting to places that look oh so close on the map can take far longer than you'd imagine. Besides, they are two distinct regions.

Cahors is a fabulous city (be sure to eat dinner at the Hôtel Terminus while there) - the "gateway to the Midi," with an exceptional Roman bridge, a lovely cathedral, a nice old quarter, and plenty of good shops, cafés, etc. I would not stay IN Cahors, however, as since the A20 now runs right by it, it gets clogged with traffic at ALL times of year. For the Lot portion of the trip I'd stay somewhere between Cahors and Rocamadour (the Domaine de la Rhue is a lovely B&B if you don't find a gîte).

For the Dordogne/Périgord segment you have lots of choices, but my advice would be to draw a semicircle emanating west of Sarlat about 30 kms and find accommodation within it. Montignac is a good base, as are Le Bugue, St-Cyprien, Domme (but not in high season - getting in and out of the old walled town in traffic is not fun), Belvès, Tamniès....well, there are dozens. A lot depends on what time of year you are going, as traffic patterns differ drastically from off-season to high season.

RobynFrance

We have been to Cahors, Rocamadour and Sarlat before, as well as St. Cirq and the little spots near Pech Merle which we visited, but were thinking of a week in Brantome in a gite. Do you think this location would be a good one for us? We enjoy walking, art, just the feel of little villages and would love to see more caves. Are we considering the right spot? We have not been to Souillac and some of their nearby villages or the Montpazier area.

I would be most grateful for your feedback. Many thanks.

Robyn

gb

We stayed at a nice gite 10 km from Sarlat and this seemed to be a good location(not far from Souillac). They have a website at www.periogordgites.com
We stayed this June and it was 290E for the week. The gite was 2 bedroom, clean with dishwasher and washer and frumpy summer cabin furniture. Two absolutely beautiful outdoor pools.

TuckH

Robyn, Souillac should not be on your list, though St Sozy, Cressye, Gluges, Carennac are pretty. Loubressac and Autoire are especially nice. There are caves at Padirac. Collonges-la-Rouge is very interesting. (We stayed almost a week at Le Pech Grand in St Sozy and enjoyed it thoroughly.)

StCirq

Brantôme is lovely. So is the château de Bourdeilles fairly close by. And the Château d'Hautefort, where the movie "Ever After" was shot.
But for the really beautiful Dordogne villages, Brantôme is a bit north. And the caves are pretty much clustered in the Sarlat area. Monpazier is an absolutely beautiful bastide town.
Brantôme is a lot nicer than Souillac, and a gîte anywhere in that neck of the woods would be a treat - it really depends on what your priorities are.

TuckH

A follow-up to StCirq's January post, the Autoroute is now open and that traffic does not flow thru Cahors.

Not staying IN Cahors (as per StCirq), We stayed happily at 'Valrose' in Pradines, just outside. We explored the Lot and the Cere valleys from there.

RobynFrance

Thank you all for your hints--do you think staying in the Brantome-Bourdeilles area is too far from many of the other attractions? We have been to Collonges before--thought it most beautiful.

Our main concern is finding an attractive affordable cottage--we only need one bedroom although more is fine--but our interest is in finding a nice place in a village where we can walk to a cafe, restaurants, etc.--we prefer not to be in a rural setting--and in a comfortable bed which is either two twins or a queen--we like a little sleeping space--any suggestions? We are looking to late May--we have had good luck the last 2 weeks of May and the first week of June for our French travel.

If you have specific property recommendations, that would be great--I did check out Simply Perigord and tried to check the site perigordgites.com but got nothing.

Thanks so much.

Take care,
Robyn France

StCirq

You mean Simply Perigord has NOTHING that fits your description for that period? That would surprise me.

I do think Brantôme is out of the main area one wants to be in if desirous of visiting caves and traditional Périgord sites. It's about 2 hours out of the way, to be exact.

I do know an American woman who has two lakeside cottages near Lalinde. If you want to e-mail me at [email protected], I'll put you in touch with her. I haven't personally seen her properties, but friends of mine staid there and thought they were very nice.

You might also contact [email protected] (Susan Mellups) and see what she's got in the Dordogne.

StCirq

Actually, my friends "stayed" there, and they're not very staid.

RobynFrance

Mimi--I am still checking out the options from Simply Perigord--that's where the Brantome option came from. But I am uncertain of what "large double bed" means--bigger than the tiny 120 cm., standard double, or larger. We are restless sleepers and really relish a larger bed or 2 twins together--so that is the hang-up for the moment. But I have plenty of time and places to keep looking--just hoping someone might have some personal recommendations. Will email you for the Lalinde info--many many thanks.

cmt

This may be a roundabout way to search for what you want, but see this thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34424535 Someone was asking for ideas re how to publicize a rental, so this thread lists a lot of publications and websites where French rentals are listed and advertised. You might find something appropriate on one of them.

RobynFrance

great idea cmt--I'll give it a try. Many thanks.

Robyn France

Betty1

Robyn, check these out:

http://www.franceonecall.com/houses/Dordogne/24339.htm
(near Brantome)

http://www.selfcateringinfrance.com/properties/4051.htm
(W. of Perigueux)

http://www.vrbo.com/25857 (La Chapelle Aubareil, between Sarlat and Montignac, use 'Click here for more information and photos' link)

http://www.cheznous.com (use property reference #2942, 2 mi. from Issigeac, SE of Bergerac)

http://www.clevacances.com/fiche_loc....php,28&rang=1 (Tamnies, great location between Sarlat, Les Eyzies and Montignac, no picture)

If link does not work, use 'recherche rapide' - Region: Aquitaine, Commune:Tamnies or ref. code DP955488

Also have a look at Commune: Sorges, DP972405
and Commune: Saint Germain du Salembre, DP730427
(These are N. and W. , respectively, of Perigueux)
There is also a link 'Acces au site web' that will take you to
www.resinfrance.fr where you can use the ref. code to get to more info on the house.


http://www.a1vacations.com/lavigne/0/ (perfect except for size and price?)
http://www.gite.com/croix-branel (same place)

http://www.a1vacations.com/lavigne/2/ (sounds good, but too expensive?)
http://www.gite.com/le-fournil (same place)

http://www.a1vacations.com/qualitygites/1/ (in village?)

http://www.a1vacations.com/lavigne/1/ (Sarlat)
http://www.gite.com/la-vigne (same place)

http://www.gite.com/maison-puits (Near-perfect, walking distance of Carsac?)

Obviously, I have too much time on my hands!

RobynFrance

Betty1--you are a doll--thank you so very much. I have checked them out and sent notes on several to find out if they rent in May--they don't seem to list it as an option. Thank you so very much. This board is so wonderful. I have gotten so many great tips and tried to provide the same. I am a junkie too--always researching something, but I enjoy it. It is like having a wonderful library right at home--Many many thanks. I am also checking out French Connections--they have lots of listings but I am not sure of any feedback on the company--any thoughts on that?

Take care,
Robyn France