StCirq

I'm happy to recommend hotels, but what exactly is your plan now? Are you going to spend any time actually in Bordeaux? Do you plan to make the drive from Normandy to the Dordogne in one day, or stop along the way? And how many days do you have before you need to be back at the airport?

rlbplf

My plan now is to spend the first 3 days in Bayeaux then drive to Dordogne area spend 3 to 4 days and fly from Bordeaux to Florence for the final week. Everyone has convinced me we should stay in the Dordogne area so I am interested in your thoughts on places to stay.

StCirq

Well, it will be a vary long day, butI would drive from Normandy to the Sarlat area by way of first Chartres and then Oradour-sur-Glane and make a stop there (just southeast of Limoges) for a couple of hours.If you look at a map you'll see that that's basically the most logical route anyway. And when you leave I'd recommend you head to the airport at Toulouse instead of back to Bordeaux for reasons already mentioned.

Now, what kind of accommodations are you looking for? What's your budget? How many rooms? What configurations? Do you want to be in a town, a village, or the countryside?

rlbplf

Good tips for the driving route. As far as accomodations, I think we would prefer something in a town. We enjoyed Beaune in Burgundy for example. Budget wise, under 300 Euro would work fine. Two adults and one 5 lb. maltepoo dog make up our group.

StuDudley

rlbplf

Are you sure you're really up for the drive from Bayeaux to Sarlat??? ViaMichelin says it's a 7 1/4 hr drive, which means that with stops for WC, gas, walk the dog, perhaps a quick bite - it's longer than 8 hrs. If you add a stop at Oradour, then it's 9+ hours. This sounds like something I did on my first trip to Europe when I was in my 20s (my traveling companions "bailed out" after a few days of this).

3 days in Normandy, 1 day driving, then 3 days in the Dordogne, then a drive to Toulouse to catch a plane to Tuscany seems like a lot of travel time and not enough "being there" time. The drive from Normandy to the Dordogne is not very scenic.

Would you consider scrapping Normandy (which you've seen before), and just visit the Dordogne. A full 7 days there would be a perfect amount of time. You could hit the Lot river area also (Peche Merle, St Cirq Lapopie, Figeac, etc). I've explored Normandy too, and I much prefer the Dordogne.

Stu Dudley

rlbplf

Can't skip Normandy, we really want to see the Utah beach side of everything with Col. Chilcott who we toured with last time. I don't mind the driving part. We have done long trips before and I understand the being there comment. Wish we had three weeks instead of just two but that will have to wait until retirement. If we like the Dordogne as much as everyone else we will return and spend the time necessary to do it justice.

Michael

I find nothing wrong with the 3 days, drive, plus three days, as long as the driving day is not seen as just a wasted day. There are things to see between Normandy and the Dordogne. In fact I would do that trip in two days. If based in Sarlat, you can do quite a bit in the basic triangle of Les Eyzies, Sarlat and Montignac in two days, including visiting some caves and seeing the "plus beaux villages" along the Dordogne. Given your interest in wines, I would still drive to Bordeaux in time to wine taste in the afternoon and then take a plane the next day. I go to the Dordogne every year, and our friends who visit are visibly ready to move on after the third day of touring the area--we take them to the highlights.

rlbplf

Michael, do you have a hotel recommendation?

rlbplf

ttt

Stu (and others), really would like to hear your thoughts on where to stay in the Dordogne.

ira

Hi rl,

We stayed at the Hotel Bonnet in Beynac, but it is no longer listed with Logis de France.

We use www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/index.htm

Our preference is 2-3* and 2-3 chimneys.

StuDudley

Like I stated earlier, we don't stay in hotels. Click on StCirq's name, I think she has made many past posts about hotels in the area.

Stu Dudley

ekscrunchy

Rlbplf:

Here is the report by another poster, Gracejoan, who was in this area recently. She appears to have an excellent sense of style regarding accommodations and restaurants:


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34881083

rlbplf

Stu, I received your email with the information. You really spent some time putting this together and I wanted to thank you for sharing this with me.

Michael, I read through the post you suggested but didn't see anything that might help with accomodations in the Sarlat area. Thanks for the suggestion.

Michael

I don't have a hotel recommendation. We use the Michelin Red Guide and start looking when we think it's time to stop.

klondike

In Beynac we can personally vouch for both Hotel du Chateau and Hotel Bonnet in Beynac- though they fall well below your budget probably due to no A/C, no elevator and no pool. Hotel Bonnet probably has a slight edge in the cuisine and parking - private off road vs public lot.

It is a pleasant drive from there to Bordeaux, less interesting after Bergerac though.

ekscrunchy

RLBplf..On my first trip to the area I stayed at Hotel Madeleine in Sarlat. It is a fairly large, older property with some charm in the public areas and comfortable rooms with tv and A/C.

The location is great because it is on the edge of the town center and convenient for driving in and out of Sarlat. Another advantage is that you can easily access Sarlat's sights, restaurants and shops on foot from the hotel. Bistro d'Octroi is just down the street. There is a range of prices depending on the season and whether or not you take meals; the highest priced room appears to be 133 Euro. The restaurant at the hotel is good. We found parking on the street nearby without problem in early May.


http://www.hoteldelamadeleine-sarlat.com/