Dordogne in six days -- comments please
 

We'll be renting a house near Tremolat for a week. Saturday to Saturday rental, so I'm treating the itinerary as six days (though we can see things on the way in and the way out on the two Saturdays. Here is the plan -- any advice welcome:

SUNDAY:
Market at St. Cyprien
Beynac - tour chateau
Castelnaud - tour chateau
La Roque-Gageac
Cadouin (if time)

MONDAY:
Sarlat
Jardins d'Eyrignac
Domme

TUESDAY:
Market at Le Bugue
St. Genies
Turenne
Collgnes-la-Rouge
Carennac
Martel

WEDNESDAY:
Market at Perigueux
Ch. de Bourdeilles (maybe)
Brantome
Ch. de Puyguilhem
Grotte de Villars

THURSDAY:
Grotte Font-de-Gaume (reserved for 11 a.m.)
Lascaux II
??

FRIDAY:
Rocamadour
L'Hospitalet
Gouffre de Padirac
Castelnau-Bretenoux

Tuesday is a driving day -- our friends will likely bicycle that day. Can we reserve Lascaux in advance? Same for Gouffre de Padirac?

This omits at least these things I'd like to fit in (so tell me if some things are better dropped): Pech Merle; Figeac, canoe trip on the Dordogne; Jardins de Marqueyssac

Thanks for all of your good ideas.

You have three long driving trips in your schedule - the Perigueux & Brantome area, Collonges la Rouge region, and Rocamadour & Padirac. So half of your days are driving days. I think I would perhaps reduce this by 1 trip. Can't you visit one of these regions on the way to your next destination??

I think I would combine Rodamadour & Padirac with Carennac & Martel. That makes a nice loop.

I wouldn't miss Ch Milandes - since it is close to where you're staying (compared to Collonges la Rouge).

You may have "enough" markets with 3 in 4 days. If you skip la Bugue it would make the rest of the day less rushed.

Stu Dudley

Bourdeilles is much more interesting than Puyguilhem which is an empty shell.

If you intend to see Lascaux and Font de Gaume, the Grotte de Villars is not worth the effort. The cave "paintings" are of dubious quality, but it has some interesting formations. I would choose Rouffignac over Villars (but not on the Brantôme day), or even Font de Gaume if Lascaux II is on the schedule. Between Périgueux on a market day and Brantôme and Bourdeilles, you will have a full day. Drop the rest of that day's itinerary.

The best foie gras stuffed figs and prunes are to be found on the rue Limogeanne, at the first corner after entering it from the square in front of St. Front. You can't miss it, and they offer free sample.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623221148969/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623282383670/

Hi ded,

May I suggest that you are squeezing in much too much?

Set one "must do" for each morning and each afternoon.

Two of these things will be Pech Merle and Figeac,

You might find my trip report helpful.
Ira Does France (Bordeaux, Dordogne, Paris) 2005
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34676645

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Too many long trips outside the immediate region at the expense of not seeing things right around you. Oh, and La Roque-St-Christophe and St-Leon-sure-Vezere should be included in your Font-de-Gaume/Lascaux day.

On such a short trip I wouldn't bother driving up to the Périgord Vert. Brantome and Bourdeilles are nice, but not worth the drive when you have so much equally wonderful right down the road.