We would like to stay in Beynac in mid June. We are considering renting a house on the main road of Beynac, opposite the river but am concerned that they may be a lot of traffic at that time and that will it be noisy and congested. We would like to stay somewhere where we can just walk to dinner - do not want to drive.

The house would give us the option of organizing a picnic lunch, dining in a few nights and having breakfast/coffee in the house before setting out for the day.

The other option was a few nights in a hotel (Hotel du Chateau, Pontet, Bonnet or La Riviera) in Beynac and a few in an apartment in Sarlat. I know that they are not far away from each other but it would give us 2 different experiences and we don't mind this option. We can stay near the river in Beynac, enjoy the river view, drive to Domme, La Roque, canoe, explore the castles and Beynac at our leisure after the crowds have gone etc and then have a few nights in Sarlat where we can prepare breakfast (croissants from the bakery etc), picnic lunch and have a few dinners in the apartment (budget is a consideration for us) then explore the village. The apartment would also give the family a bit of space.

Any comments or thoughts on the Beynac hotels - posititives and negatives?

If this house is on the D703, the road going through Beynac, you will have traffic outside your front door ALL day. I would never choose this option.

Most of the hotels in Beynac are also on the road, and depending on where your room is, could also be busy.

I would look for an apartment for the week, in Sarlat, which would give you access to cafes and restaurants. In addition, most houses and apartments rent for a full week, rather than a few days.

Thanks. That was my concern by being on the main access road. Unfortunately we only have 5 nights and although I was paying for a week the house was affordable for the 5nights. Sarlat will have the traffic congestion but is more expensive. I will have to review my plans. Thanks

An alternative to the hotel on the road is this place in Beynac. Its off the main road but you can easily walk to Beynac Castle, restaurants etc.. Beautiful views especially from the Green room.
http://www.lepetitversailles.fr/page/eng/accueil.html

How many are there in your family? Another lodging option is the chambre d'hote, (b&b)of which there are several. There are also several gites,I checked into all this as my partner and I are also there for a week at that same time. We decided on a chambre d'hote in nearby Castelnaud, at a very reasonable price. Grimmy's suggestion Le Petit Versailles would have been a definite option as well (for 2 people)Places are booking up quickly though so hopefully you decide on something within the next couple of weeks. Good luck in your search.

HI Jewel,
we are renting a two bedroom, two story apartment in Sarlat's historic district. We too are on a limited budget, and found their places quite reasonable...AND you can rent for less than a week!

http://www.in-sarlat.fr/holiday-rent...ays-rental.php

There are no restaurants in Beynac that I would want to dine in. Several in Roque Gageac, however.

Stu Dudley

Stu beat me to it. Walking to dinner wouldn't work for me in Beynac.

There are plenty of other towns that would work a lot better than Beynac: Le Bugue, St-Cyprien, Domme, La Roque-Gageac (though not right on the river for the same reasons as Beynac), Castelenaud, Tamniès, St-Genies, Montignac, Vitrac...or check out Carlux's places.

CaliNurse's suggestion also looks good.