Dordogne--MONDAY village closures?
May 18th, 2011, 11:14 AM
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Dordogne--MONDAY village closures?
Having read Stu D's itin , I'm aware of Monday shop closures in French towns/villages.
On a Monday, based on advice from FF experts, we're probably driving from Toulouse, to the Monday morning Caussade market, and heading up to Sarlat (arrival by 5 pm) via St Cirq la Popie and Gourdon.
Question: will these latter two towns have shuttered storefronts in the afternoon? A "ghost town" feel? I'm hoping the fact that it is a Monday will not affect our enjoyment of them. As long as there's an open cafe, we'll be happy!
Thoughts ?
On a Monday, based on advice from FF experts, we're probably driving from Toulouse, to the Monday morning Caussade market, and heading up to Sarlat (arrival by 5 pm) via St Cirq la Popie and Gourdon.
Question: will these latter two towns have shuttered storefronts in the afternoon? A "ghost town" feel? I'm hoping the fact that it is a Monday will not affect our enjoyment of them. As long as there's an open cafe, we'll be happy!
Thoughts ?
May 18th, 2011, 12:16 PM
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They aren't so much "officially" closed, just slow to start the week! By Monday afternoon, many places will be open. It's Monday morning that's unpredictable. St. Cirq and Gourdon will not feel like ghost towns, particularly if you are traveling during the summer.
May 18th, 2011, 12:21 PM
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In general, pretty much in all small towns in villages in France, things start slowly on Monday morning, but why are you worried about the afternoon? Everything is closed approximately from 12 or 1230 until 2 and sometimes 3. this is lunchtime in France, and that is when you are expected to eat lunch. Sarlat never feels like a ghost town, and LaPopie has stores open most of the time because of all the tourists. Of the three, Gourdon is the quietest. And, there are always cafes open somewhere!
Have you seen my thread? We are in Toulouse right now and I have been posting all along the way from Bourdeaux, St-Emilion, Sarlat, Figeac, Cahors and Albi. Here's the link:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-emilion.cfm
Tomorrow we do a day trip to Carcassone.
Have you seen my thread? We are in Toulouse right now and I have been posting all along the way from Bourdeaux, St-Emilion, Sarlat, Figeac, Cahors and Albi. Here's the link:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-emilion.cfm
Tomorrow we do a day trip to Carcassone.
May 18th, 2011, 01:11 PM
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Thank you for sharing this information, Christy and Sssteve.
Slow start Mondays....ok, i understand!! I should fit right in!!!
Sssteve, thanks for referring to your TR--filled with good info ! Curious about your opinion of Carcassonne, after seeing much of the Dordogne, as I'm wondering if we'd have "castle burnout" by then.Looking forward to your thoughts..will check the TR after 5/19.
Slow start Mondays....ok, i understand!! I should fit right in!!!
Sssteve, thanks for referring to your TR--filled with good info ! Curious about your opinion of Carcassonne, after seeing much of the Dordogne, as I'm wondering if we'd have "castle burnout" by then.Looking forward to your thoughts..will check the TR after 5/19.
May 18th, 2011, 01:13 PM
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Super touristy towns like St Cirq Lapopie never close during tourist season - except for lunch. Gourdon might have some shops closed in the afternoon - but I'm not a big fan of Gourdon anyway. It is not a very "lively" town anyway in the old section - at least it wasn't the times we've been there. Just shoot straight to Sarlat after St Cirq Lapopie - perhaps taking the non-freeway route past Gourdon.
Do you plan on visiting Pech Merle - close to St Cirq Lapopie?
Stu Dudley
Do you plan on visiting Pech Merle - close to St Cirq Lapopie?
Stu Dudley
May 19th, 2011, 01:22 AM
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Thanks, Stu--i was hoping you'd share some thoughts on this.
Or first full day after arrival into Sarlat is "cave day" with Font de Gaumes, then the cave near it where you take the train into the cave ( 2 am now-can't recall name) and then Lascaux 2--not all at once, but at differing times during the day. This is a roundabout explanation of why we were gong to skip Peche Merle on the way up--Daughter is not eager to see the caves , so i dont want to push my luck!
Actually, I'm glad to read your recommendation of a straight shot thru from St Cirq La Popie to Sarlat--on the "scenic" route--as i fear overdoing it that first day (arrival is the prior evening into Toulouse)/ So that first Monday , tentative plan after a toobrief walk around Toulouse, is the Caussade market (courtesy of M. Stu Dudley recommendation), then St Cirq la Popie. I'd considered a stop in Cahors, as the "Jardins Secrets ' sound intriguing. Not sure Cahors has enough to recommend it, to make for a detour. What do you FF folks think?
It's that balance act between wanting to take it all in, yet knowing that obsessive pre-planning for too much defeats the point of a vacation.
Or first full day after arrival into Sarlat is "cave day" with Font de Gaumes, then the cave near it where you take the train into the cave ( 2 am now-can't recall name) and then Lascaux 2--not all at once, but at differing times during the day. This is a roundabout explanation of why we were gong to skip Peche Merle on the way up--Daughter is not eager to see the caves , so i dont want to push my luck!
Actually, I'm glad to read your recommendation of a straight shot thru from St Cirq La Popie to Sarlat--on the "scenic" route--as i fear overdoing it that first day (arrival is the prior evening into Toulouse)/ So that first Monday , tentative plan after a toobrief walk around Toulouse, is the Caussade market (courtesy of M. Stu Dudley recommendation), then St Cirq la Popie. I'd considered a stop in Cahors, as the "Jardins Secrets ' sound intriguing. Not sure Cahors has enough to recommend it, to make for a detour. What do you FF folks think?
It's that balance act between wanting to take it all in, yet knowing that obsessive pre-planning for too much defeats the point of a vacation.
May 19th, 2011, 06:15 AM
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Cali - what are you doing up at 2:00am????
I may have been one of the people that sssteve referred to (on his "travel log" post) as not having many nice things to say about Cahors. I would skip it.
Stu Dudley
I may have been one of the people that sssteve referred to (on his "travel log" post) as not having many nice things to say about Cahors. I would skip it.
Stu Dudley
May 19th, 2011, 08:25 AM
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STU:
You were right about Cahors, but we visited because we were interested in the wine and it suited our logistics. We stayed at a B&B in Mercues, and visited 2 chateaux. The Cahors wine was very good!
You were right about Cahors, but we visited because we were interested in the wine and it suited our logistics. We stayed at a B&B in Mercues, and visited 2 chateaux. The Cahors wine was very good!
May 19th, 2011, 12:29 PM
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Yes, Christycruz--Rouffignac! I've appreciated your feedback to on Lascaus 2, and that you forget it being a repro. Due in part to your saying that in posts , i've never felt i did not want t see it. ANd the reproductiuon in itself is an amzing feat!
Stu, I'm a pm shift RN, so dont get back home til nearly 1 am--then relax and learn reading FF!!
Ssteve, Stu, and Christy, thank you all for your opinions to skip Cahors. It'll make the day easier! However...i recall Stu writing that the drive as one approaches Cahors is beautiful.
Is that drive (without a stop in Cahors itself) worth detouring to ( heading west from St Cirq la Popie) on the way to Sarlat? Will there be equally stunning drives during our following days as we tour the Dordogne countryside???
What would i do without this forum ????????
Stu, I'm a pm shift RN, so dont get back home til nearly 1 am--then relax and learn reading FF!!
Ssteve, Stu, and Christy, thank you all for your opinions to skip Cahors. It'll make the day easier! However...i recall Stu writing that the drive as one approaches Cahors is beautiful.
Is that drive (without a stop in Cahors itself) worth detouring to ( heading west from St Cirq la Popie) on the way to Sarlat? Will there be equally stunning drives during our following days as we tour the Dordogne countryside???
What would i do without this forum ????????
May 19th, 2011, 08:41 PM
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>>.i recall Stu writing that the drive as one approaches Cahors is beautiful.
Is that drive (without a stop in Cahors itself) worth detouring on the way to Sarlat? Will there be equally stunning drives during our following days as we tour the Dordogne countryside???<<
The view of Cahors across the river from southeast of town is quite nice - one of the better views in the region, IMO. Perhaps the best view in the Dordogne is from the road (D703) as you approach Beynac from the east. Lots of good views of Rocamadour from several vantage points.
Stu Dudley
Is that drive (without a stop in Cahors itself) worth detouring on the way to Sarlat? Will there be equally stunning drives during our following days as we tour the Dordogne countryside???<<
The view of Cahors across the river from southeast of town is quite nice - one of the better views in the region, IMO. Perhaps the best view in the Dordogne is from the road (D703) as you approach Beynac from the east. Lots of good views of Rocamadour from several vantage points.
Stu Dudley
May 20th, 2011, 12:12 PM
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Sssteve--LOL!!!! Love your dry humor and way of expressing things!
Stu---Thank you as always for your response. If time allows, we'll make that brief detour from Caussade and approach(but not enter) Cahors from the SE, then East to St Cirq la Popie--and will note the other drives (as already have seen in your itin) . As with nearly everyone...we're suckers for a great view. As you know, there are plenty of those in our Bay Area, but there's something about oohing and ahhing in another part of the USA or the world!
Stu---Thank you as always for your response. If time allows, we'll make that brief detour from Caussade and approach(but not enter) Cahors from the SE, then East to St Cirq la Popie--and will note the other drives (as already have seen in your itin) . As with nearly everyone...we're suckers for a great view. As you know, there are plenty of those in our Bay Area, but there's something about oohing and ahhing in another part of the USA or the world!
May 21st, 2011, 07:03 AM
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There's something about the light in France...obviously artists know about it. It makes the place so vibrant and soft at the same time. There's nothing in the Bay Area like it except those days after a storm when the sun comes out and all the smog and other particulates have been blown away.
No France for me this summer! weeping...
No France for me this summer! weeping...
May 21st, 2011, 07:31 AM
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Regarding the beautiful drives in the St-Cirq-la-Popie area, I have to say that the entire area between Cahors and Figeac is beautiful and we did several lovely drives.
The one I remember best is when we drove from Mercues (just north of Cahors) to Pech Merle on a route which took us through a little village called St Gery. The ride was beautiful.
The one I remember best is when we drove from Mercues (just north of Cahors) to Pech Merle on a route which took us through a little village called St Gery. The ride was beautiful.
May 22nd, 2011, 02:42 PM
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Stu, thanks for the spelling correction.
Christy...I'll think of you when i see that light you mention. Small comfort when you'd rather BE there yourself!!
Sssteve, hope you are recovered from jet leg and alert so as to continue with more trip plans! Thank you for the recommendation of the scenic road from Mercues via St Gery. We pass through that village after leaving A 20 (if we take a
"freeway") at exit 57 heading Southeast (sort of) to St Cirq Lapopie.
Christy...I'll think of you when i see that light you mention. Small comfort when you'd rather BE there yourself!!
Sssteve, hope you are recovered from jet leg and alert so as to continue with more trip plans! Thank you for the recommendation of the scenic road from Mercues via St Gery. We pass through that village after leaving A 20 (if we take a
"freeway") at exit 57 heading Southeast (sort of) to St Cirq Lapopie.
