We are flying to Paris from Candad and taking the train to Bordeau on the same day. We have a hotel booked for a week in Paris 6 days later. I was thinking of renting a car and traveling through the Dordogne area 2-3 days, up to the Loire for 2-3 days then on to Paris. Am I being too ambitious? I'm starting to think maybe we should just spend the 6 days in one of those areas. Don't want to get to Paris feeling like all I've done is drive. What do you think?

You could very well drive into the Dordogne in one day from BordeauX, spend 4 days there, and then spend one day driving back to Paris (I wouldn't recommend it) or leaving your car and taking a train back to Paris. <BR><BR>Where is Candad, by the way?

Canada?

I try not to plan more than 150 km driving distance in any one day. It seems as if you are planning to drive more than 900 km in 6 days. It's too ambitious for me. There are some options that might include the TGV that travels near 200 km/h. Perhaps driving Bourdeau to Tours is better and take the TGV from Tours to Paris.

This is very good advice. Pick one area or the other. Drive to Dordogne, train to Paris. Train to Tours, rent a car, train back to Paris.

Is there some reason you are taking a train to Bordeaux and not flying??

We took the train to Bordeaux from CDG and the ride was scenic. Then we picked up a car for the Dordogne. I highly recommend that mode. As others have said, leave the other areas for another time. There is much to do in the Dordogne. Don't rush it. Have a great trip. CJ

Yes you're right RonZ Canada is indeed the correct spelling of my country. <BR>I never considered the plane, I just assumed it would be too expensive. I'm going to check that out. Doug, that's not a bad idea of dumping the car in Tours and taking the train back to Paris. Thanks.<BR> Phil.<BR>

I think that it is very feasible, especially if you decide to move about. You can spend a couple of days in the Sarlat area, then a night in the northern P&eacute;rigord, (allowing you to visit places like Brant&ocirc;me) and then on to Amboise. A couple of nights in Amboise will give you the opportunity to see some of the major chateaux in the Loire (Amboise, Chenonceau, Villandry). My friends were satisfied with two days in the Loire area, but we also all enjoyed seeing while driving.