The short answer to all of this is that the Dordogne is still somewhat isolated. Less so now that there are more autoroutes, but that is a great part of its charm. This does mean however you cant always get where you want to go as quickly as you might think. And part of the charm of the 'French way of life' is that they take family and eating seriously. So on Sunday, which is the most important day for both, virtually everthing that a NOrth American would expect to find open isnt.

Annie, I dont know what a DT station is. The train station is in the centre of town, but its not a huge town, so fairly easy to get in and out.

We've never flown from Brive - it's faster but 3 or 4 times the price of the train, depending on the day and the kind of fare you choose. Finally, dont assume that the airport rental agencies will be open on a Sunday. This is a tiny airport. They may well come in to meet your plane, but you should confirm with the agency that there really will be someone there on a Sunday. (Europcar also seems to have an office there.)

Susan, by DT, I meant downtown, so I understand now that the train will arrive near the downtown car rentals in Brive. Since some of us will already be there, I guess we could pick up the rest of the folks on Sunday if we can't manage to get a car rented. But, I'll try Hertz and AutoEurope, and see if we can arrange for them to leave the keys someplace for us to pick up. Planning these trips to France is more difficult than the States, but oh so worth it. Thank you everyone for your help. annieladd

We flew from Bordeaux to Atlanta via Paris on a morning flight. I think we got to the airport by 8am.

We drove from Dordogne to the beach near Bordeaux (on the airport side of town) and spent the night before- we loved walking up the dune du Pilat. The drive was longish 3-4 hours, along canals and vineyards.

This was a nice way to end our trip and not really too hectic since an afternoon at the beach is relaxing. We got up at 6:30 and had an early breakfast. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare- I think the drive was about 30 minutes. The Bordeaux airport is rather small and efficient.

We had the same problem - San Francisco to Sarlat at the end of April. We are flying through London Heathrow as well.

Solution: we added a week before our rental in Sarlat starts and will spend it in Paris. Take the train to Bordeaux, pick-up the car (Autoeurope Puegeot Open Europe), drive to St-Emilion for one night and then on to Sarlat for the month. 8-)

But first - three months of tax season in San Francisco. @-)

Finding this forum is like finding gold. Thanks to you ALL...

Hi Baby,

You might want to take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Libourne.

PREMS fare is 25E.

The car agency is right across the street from the train station.

You avoid all of the traffic around Bordeaux.

We stayed at Chateau de Roques in Puisseguin, near St. E.

http://www.chateau-de-roques.com/accueil_a.htm

Have a nice visit.

((I))

Hi Ira, I just jumped to the most recent post, and thought you were calling me Baby! Ha! annieladd

Hi, Ira. We are doing one of those lease/buyback arrangement with Puegeot (though AutoEurope), so places we can pick-up is more limited than a straight rental. Plus we are picking up the car during a weekend holiday. Just decided it's easier to pick-up in Bordeaux and drive directly to St-Emilion - an excuse to visit St-Emilion and pick some wine to enjoy while we are in Sarlat. We are also staying in a chateau for the night.

Thanks for the suggestions, however. We did consider several options.

Have a nice visit, B.

Carlux,

How do you arrange for the bus from Sarlat train station to the Souillac station.

Just go to the train station. In fact, if you go to the SNCF site http://www.voyages-sncf.com
and say you want to go from Paris to Sarlat, it automatically books you on the bus (autocar)

I have another (uninformed) question. Susan says to leave from Gare d'Austerlitz to get to Brive. Where is the Gare d'Austerlitz, and how do you get to it from CDG? annieladd

You take the RER and métro or you take a taxi. Me? I take a taxi.

Yikes, this is getting complicated. Let's look at this the opposite of my original question. I'm trying to get various family members from Paris to Sarlat on a Sunday (but I'll consider another day if you think that's crazy.) So, is there an easy way to get on a train at CDG, get close to Sarlat, rent a car, and get to the hotel? Or is this Austerlitz place, (which they'll need to get to from CDG in a taxi) the way to go? I'm sorry to be such a dunce about this, but it just gets complicated. I'll already be in Sarlat, and could go pick them up in a town near Sarlat(and worry about cars on Monday), but while we're still figuring out the exact number, there could be too many people/luggage to fit into my one car. Or I guess I could try to rent another car for them on Saturday, and the two of us could pick them up. Please excuse my frustration, I'm just new to this. annieladd

With your help and the nice hotel's help, I think I have my alternatives figured out. 1. Taxi from CDG to Gare Austerlitz then train to Brive then car rental. 2. Taxi from CDG to Gare Austerlitz then train to Souillac and connection by bus to Sarlat. 3. TGV from CDG 2 TGV to Bordeaux then connection to Sarlat by regional train (TER), then rent a car. 4. TGV from CDG 2 TGV to Libourne then connection to Sarlat by regional train (TER), then rent a car. Hotel has offered to help pick up family in Sarlat on Sunday, then they could rent car in Sarlat on Monday. I like this idea.

This taking a taxi from CDG to Austerlitz sounds like a bit daunting, so I'm leaning towards options 3 and 4. Unless, that means much more time traveling. Any thoughts? annieladd
annieladd

>4. TGV from CDG 2 TGV to Libourne then connection to Sarlat by regional train (TER), then rent a car. Hotel has offered to help pick up family in Sarlat on Sunday, then they could rent car in Sarlat on Monday. I like this idea. <

Bingo!

What time are you scheduled to arrive at CDG to make the 13:45?

The train station in Liourne has a cafe that sells sandwiches. beer, etc. Right across the street are a couple of small bars, that have fresher sandwiches for a little less.

Look for PREMS fares (39E) for CDG/Libourne about 90 days in advance.

Don't be surprised if the train to Libourne is only 2 cars, it's still a TGV.

((I))

The TGV from CDG to Libourne is definitely your best bet. Do check the Sunday TER schedules to Sarlat, though - there are fewer trains Sundays than other days usually.

Department of dumb questions: Can you take train from CDG to or toward Sarlat without going into Metro Paris?
Thanks,

Hi Andy,

Read the two posts immediately above yours.

((I))

I know I can't go to sncf and find times for October yet, but I just want to get a feel for what's avilalbe from from Paris CDG to Sarlat via Libourne (hopefully) on a Sunday. I'm just plugging in earlier dates to see what's available, but I'm stumped. What station do I plug in for leaving Paris CDG? I just put in earlier dates, leaving on a Sunday and returning on a Saturday, and I got Montparnasse to Libourne then Sarlat, Austerlitz to Souillac to Sarlat. Is Montparnasse or Austerlitz the station at CDG?