Having previously spent a week in the Dordogne, I realize that it could take months to see the entire region. Will be returning with my mother in June 2005 (her first trip) for 4-5 days, and am interested in suggestions for any "must see" spots not on my list: Sarlat, Brantome, Bourdeilles, Souillac, Beynac, Domme, Carennac, Martel, Rocamadour, Monpazier, Hautefort, St. Cirq, Castelnaud, Cadouin, St. Jean de Cole, Chateau Jumillac-le-Grand, Cahors, Turenne, Collonges, Le Roque. We are not interested in caves or in boating on this trip. Do want to see pretty scenery and charming villages.

Also, although everyone recommends taking the train from CDG/Paris, the drive appears to be only 5 hours and the train/drive combo appears to be about the same amount of time. It just seems like less hassle to drive?

Thanks for any thoughts and suggestions.

Loubressac.
http://www.cometofrance.com/LOUBRESSAC.html

http://www.villagesdefrance.free.fr/page_loubressac.htm

A couple of thoughts. First, I think that you have more than enough on your list for 4-5 days. However, as you are familiar with the area, you know what you and your mother will be able to do and enjoy in that time. I really do think, however, that you might want to hone your list as it is rather than adding to it.

Secondly, I think that 5 hours from CDG to Périgord is a bit optimistic. With the traffic getting around Paris and stops along the way, it think it would be more like 7 hours at least. If you are just arriving from a trans-Atlantic flight (which I assume you would be), it would be all the worse. I have often driven in Europe for a few hours after arrival, but not a long journey like that one.

I think the train would be a far better option, picking up your rental car in Périgueux.

Enjoy your visit.

I don't know how you're going to manage to see all that in 4 days, so I'll not add anything to the list.

I also think it will take you a full day to drive to the Dordogne from Paris, whereas if you plan carefully and take the TGV for the first leg of the trip, you can get there in 4.5-5 hours.

It might be possible if you take the train to Limoges and see the sites in the northern Dordogne (Brantôme, Bourdeilles, St. Jean de Cole and Jumilhac) on the way to the Dordogne valley itself. Hautefort would be between the northern section that the valley.

For my trip to the Dordogne in May, I took the TGV from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to Angouleme - I think it was around 2 hours. Then rented car at train station in Angouleme, driving to the Bourdeilles/Brantome area on a wonderful, fast road. This was perfect, easy way to see the northern Dordogne, then driving south to Sarlat, etc. However, I had 2 weeks instead of your 4-5 days, so of course I could be leisurely about it. What a wonderful trip! You may not feel you have time for this northern portion, but for those who do (Bourdeilles is wonderful!)
the TGV-Angouleme car pickup point is great.

My last sentence got mangled somehow. I meant that Hautefort is on the road between the northern area of the Dordogne and the Dordogne valley itself. My suggestion ass umes that you would have to spend the night in a place like Bourdeilles--Les Griffons has received good recommendations.