Finally convinced my husband to stay 3 nights in Bordeaux region and 3 in Dordgone rather than all 6 in Bordeaux and have some questions. Received brochure from "The French Experience" for Bordeaux tours. They offer a 3 night 4 day which includes rental car, three wine tastings, one dinner including wines, breaskfast daily, private guided tour of St. Emilion, and stay at Chateau du Grand Barrail for $754 per person. Questions: <BR>Has anyone ever used them? <BR>Does this seem like a fair price? <BR> <BR>What would be a good base for our stay in Dordgone? Suggestions on places to stay. <BR>Is there a TGV from Paris to a city in the Dordgone? <BR> <BR>Thanks, Judy

Judy: $745 seems like a good deal to me for 3 nights' lodging plus the extras. <BR>A good base in the Dordogne is somewhere in or near Sarlat. <BR>There is no TGV to the Dordogne. You need to take the regular train to Périgueux (easy) or Sarlat (less easy), or the TGV to Bordeaux and then plan to drive in to the Dordogne.

St. Cirq, you have been a great help - Thank you for taking time to answer all my questions. <BR> <BR>I have been searching the net for places to stay and a few I found that looked good are Le Chaufourg in Periogord, Le Chateau in Lalinde, and Domaine de Rochebois in Sarlat. Found the web page for Chateux & Hotels <BR>de France and have begun looking up many of the properties. Any comments on the above? <BR> <BR>And, I do have previous posts giving recommendations for the Dordgone region. <BR> <BR>Again, thank you very much. <BR> <BR>Judy

&lt;&lt;Le Chaufourg in Periogord&gt;&gt; <BR> <BR>Judy - although this name rings a bell, I'm fairly certain the spelling of Chaufourg is off, and "in Periogord" is confusing - the whole area is called the Périgord, and I don't think there's a town also by that name. At any rate, I have no first-hand knowledge of a plance by this name. Perhaps you can check the information. I do know the Château in Lalinde. It's right on the river, has a gret reputation, and Lalinde is a nice bastide town, with a good Thursday market. It's a bit too far to the west to be a perfect base for sightseeing, but it's not bad. The Domaine de Rochebois in Vitrac is a large, impressive place. Vitrac is a superb base of operations for the main sights, and is a really pretty little town set on a tributary of the Dordogne. Of the places you mention thusfar, I'd pick this one.

St.Cirq. <BR> <BR>Again, thanks. One last questions (I hope). Where would be your place of choice if there for the first time? <BR> <BR>Judy

Judy: <BR> <BR>The Périgord has so many lovely little towns that make good bases, it really doesn't matter, except that being near Sarlat on a first trip is, I think, ideal, because Sarlat is such a gem of a town, because it has such an incredible market, and because it makes it easy to do driving loops that enable you to take advantage of the most sights in the least time. So Vitrac is an excellent choice. I DO usually advise people not to stay within Sarlat itself if traveling in high season because it is so congested at that time of year, especially on market days. If the Domaine de Rochebois looks good to you, go for it. I can only speak to its location and the exterior look of the place, but I don't think you'll be disappointed.

St.Cirq, <BR> <BR>Many, many thanks for all your replies and even though I thought my last would be my last, I think I have only one more question and that is regarding weather. I understand that it has really been unpredictable, but as a general rule, what is the weather usally like the very end of September? We were planning on being in Southwest France 9/27-Oct 2 and I was just reading a guide book which says this area has very heavy rains in Fall. Would I be better off moving it up a week or would it matter? I know it is so hard to say with all the weird weather we have been having world wide. I live in Huntington Beach, CA and it actually was sprinkling here yesterday and I can't remember the last time that happened. <BR> <BR>I have read many of your postings and you are so helpful to so many. It is so great of you to take the time out to do this. <BR> <BR>Thanks again, Judy

Oh, Judy, I hate to play weatherman! All I can tell you is that in the past 5 years there has been loads more rain in the spring and early summer than in fall. I don't think pushing the trip back by a week will make a difference. Just cross your fingers and go - the Périgord is pretty in the rain, too.