Dordogne / Provence itinerary - how's this
 

After much research and tips from Fodorites, I prepared below itinerary and would appreciate any suggestions. This itinerary follows 1 week in Paris, and some days in Mont St. Michel and Amboise. We're a family of 4 (two boys, 11 and 15.)

June 23 - drive Amboise to Sarlat, see Sarlat in PM (staying here 4 nights)
24 - Les Eyzies, Font de Gaume (11 am reservation), La Madeleine, St. Christophe
25 - Gouffre de Padirac, Rocamadour
26 - La Roque Gageac, Beynac (do a gabarre trip), Castelnaud, Domme
27 - Pech Merle (10:30 reservation), St. Cirq La Popie for lunch (will they be open on Monday?), Carcassone (overnight)
28 - Arles (will stay here for 5 nights)
29 - Pont du Gard, Uzes, Nimes (if time)
30 - Abbey de Senanque, Gordes, Roussillon
July 1 - Les Baux / St. Remy
2 - Avignon
3 - TGV back to Paris (and back home a couple of days after that)

On the 25th, pick up picnic items at the Sarlat market.

Hi Mde:

I must say, you've pretty much hit the mark as far as an itinerary..makes me wish I could squeeze into your suitcase and stow away..or even become your baggage caddy....sigh...

If time and interest permits, I'd make 2 additions to your proposed trip. I'd stop off in Cahors to see the Pont Valentre, a 14th century bridge which spans the Lot River. It wook 72 yrs to complete: 1308-1380, but it still stands today. 5 miles NE of Cahors in the village of Lamagdelaine, do try to have at least one meal at CLAUDE MARCO, located right off the D653, about a 7 mins drive out of Cahors. It is a marvelous inn and 1 Michelin star restaurant ( the Veal Chop with truffles and the Grilled Codfish is fabulous!)

If you are going to there in late June or early July, try to get to Forcalquier to see the lavender fields in full bloom..

Regards..
Luis

Sorry..I committed a faux pas in my last response... the Pont Valentre TOOK 72 yrs to build...not "wook".

Also, I see you will be leaving in late June, so you may in fact see lavenders all about in their splendor..

Your boys might enjoy the Falconery show at Chateau Milandes - next to Castelnaud. The Josephine Baker exhibit is quite interesting & moving.

I've never visited St Cirq Lapopie on a Sunday or Monday, but it seems like the kind of place that thrives on tourists & is therefore open on Sundays & Mondays.

I assume that you have my suggested driving route from St Cirq Lapopie to Carcassone that I posted a while back.

On June 30th, take the Lavender Route that I posted here also. It starts at Gordes, goes through Sault, Gorges de la Nesque, & ends at Senanque Abbey. I've said this before, but when we've taken friends on this route on two seperate occasions, they both said "this is what we expected Provence to look like" You could then visit Bonnieux, Roussillon, etc.

Do you plan on visiting any markets in the Dordogne or Provence? Perhaps visit the Carpentras market on Friday before St Remy & Les Baux, or Apt on Sat before Avignon.

Why are you going back to Paris again after Provence? We always either take the very early morning TGV from Avignon to CDG in time for our flight home, or the day before to an interesting place on the TGV route, stay overnight, then take the TGV to CDG the next morning. We have done this with an overnight in Dijon, & Beaune. This June, we are taking the train to Chambery, staying overnight there, and then the Train/TGV to CDG in the morning.

Stu Dudley

Thank you for the suggestions. Stu, I tried to trace your route to Carcassone, but thought it might take all day. How many hours would it take?
Also, good question, why am I going back to Paris? I have this great fear that somehow something might go wrong and we won't be back at CDG in time for the flight. Anyway, too late now since I've already purchased my non-refundable TGV tickets. I'm hoping to use the extra day in Paris to visit France Miniature, and anything else we might have missed during the first few days there.

>>Stu, I tried to trace your route to Carcassone, but thought it might take all day. How many hours would it take?<<

It won't take all day. But if you have lunch in St Cirq Lapopie & want to take the escorted tour of Carcassone that same day (instead of the nest day), then perhaps it's best to get to Carcassone ASAP.

Stu Dudley

You could probably fit in a stop at Collonges-la-Rouge on the day you visit Rocamadour. It's a bit touristy but nonetheless a beautiful village with many local artist shops.

Merci beaucoup, I can't wait to get to France! And since I'm addicted to this website, will let you all know how it went upon my return.