We all have only a very limited amount of French. How have other travellers fared in the Dordogne region when they do not speak very much of the language? I hate the thought of the French people being offended by our lack of knowledge as I have such a lot of respect for them and their wonderful culture. I am aware of our need to improve on this but have only limited time to do it in. Has anyone got any experiences they care to relate to me? <BR> <BR>Brenda

If you try out your French, you'll find it's easy to understand them (Dordogne area speaks 'pure' French, for lack of a better word. It's more like your 'school' French than anywhere else). The region is also less-touristed, so the locals aren't so traveler-weary. Though I speak French, other women on our trip there last year, who have NO French, found it no problem to communicate - grocery shopping, ordering in restaurants, etc. went just fine. They did learn "s'il vous plait" and "merci", and smiled a lot, which seemed to stand them in good stead. <BR> <BR>In the more touristed areas, like Sarlat and Rocamadour, English was pretty commonly found. <BR> <BR>I love the Dordogne - great food and wine, wonderful people, history from the dawn of time through the Renaissance, deep down caves and really tall castles. Oh and did I mention the great food and wine?

My wife and I would encourage you to just go right ahead exploring the Dordogne. We spent the better part of two weeks on our own there, ran into only an occasional other American tourist, and had no problems with our high-school French and communicating with the locals. A couple high spots included: St. Enemie, the Gorge du Tarn, Conques, and Albi. You will be astounded how prices drop compared with comparable meals and lodging found in Paris. We found many French persons who wanted to practice their English. And nobody laughed at our French. In fact, they gave us lessons.

Brenda, A limited amount of French will be fine, we just finished a solo bike tour of Normandie and our French ranges from Bonjour to Sil'vous'plait and of course the ubiquitous rubbing of fingers for the bill (credits to previous posters). Scroll down the opening page of Fodors for useful phrases, I've said this so many times I feel like a shill.

<BR>Brenda--- <BR>The favorite destination for the English is Dordogne <BR>So much so that there are signs on most secondary roads saying Stay To The Right (In english) <BR>You may not see as posted above many american tourists but you will see more brits than you will see in London--which is fine--but should put you to ease about language problems--english is spoken everywhere in Dordorgne. <BR>Try the Moulin du Roc if you can--its a very special place in Dordogne Green---Dordorgne black is south of that and I would suggest Les Eyzies de Tayac===even though its touristy <BR> <BR>Enjoy my favorite place in France! <BR> <BR> <BR>AH