Dordogne without a car? Where?
 

Are there any villages, towns in the Dordogne region of France to stay as a base and explore the region by bicycle and train? Or is this a foolish proposition?

This is the only region of France my husband and I have yet to see. We have a week. If we should rent a car, what are the most picturesque towns and regions?

The Dordogne is an area with very limited public transportation. Someone asked the question about a month ago, and most replies were negative. There are bus services, but the use of them would eat up a considerable amount of time. You should rent a car.

The most picturesque area is the one along the Dordogne valley, and a canoe trip down the river is wothwhile.

Write Dordogne in the search box and you will get a lot of information.

If you have a good map, the pictures referred to at the end of this report might be able to guide you around the area:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34653387

Definitely rent a car, because what the Dordogne is all about is villages not accesible for the most part by any other means.

It's a foolish proposition - get a car.

Stu Dudley

You need a car. Period.

The most beautiful town, however touristy, is Sarlat-la-Caneda. One of my favorite spots is Domme which is right above the river. It is a quiet charming village with one of the region's best hotels and definitivly the very best restaurant (Michelin-star). Hotel l'Esplanade.

Traveller - l'Esplanade lost their star several years ago. However, we dined there this past Sept & the food was just as good as it was when they had the Michelin star.

Stu Dudley

Hi Two,

We visited the valleys of the Lot, Tarn and Dordogne last Sept.

The roads are well maintained and well marked. You needn't fear having a car.

For more info, see my trip report:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645

Photos at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-pla2au

((I))

I second the above motion...Domme and its view-hotel Esplanade..what a view of the river...on every postcard! Very fine restaurant
Last time in the Dordogne we stayed a week at the very lovely farmhouse Domaine de la Rhue (listed in Hotels of Charm and Character in France,at your local bookseller). It's an hour's forest walk, ten minute ride from Rocamadour..touristy, yes, but not after 4 pm! We especially like towns along the river like La Roque Gageac, (canoeing available at several towns at riverside)and further east on the river, Carennac. The Sarlat Saturday market is a classic, too. With a car, I suggest you also take in the River Lot valley to the south...lovely riverside towns such as St. Cirq Lapopie....and the city of Cahors, if only for its unique Resistance Museum.
PLease rent a car...you'll need it...easy driving with scenic spots everywhere.
Enjoy! www.domainedelarhue.com

Stu T.

OK, I'll confuse the issue - as I've posted before, we will be renting bicycles and biking (with a tour company) around. This will limit what we see - could not fit in the Rocamadour area, but that just gives us another reason to come back. However, the itinerary we have takes us from Souillac, to Sarlat, to les Eyzies, Montignac and back to Souillac. With lots of exploration all around. 2 nights in les Eyzies and 2 nights in Sarlat, and we will be there for the market. We will see a smaller area, but we will see it in a lot of detail, and work off all that we are planning on eating (!). So, depending on your fitness level - it'a a river valley so there will be hills, I understand that bikes are very possible, and from the number of bike tour companies offering trips there, fairly common.
Here is some info on bike touring companies: http://www.biketour-reviews.com/index.htm

Bicycle touring is certainly a viable option, but you must be prepared for hilly country and narrow roads. I don't think that the high season would be a good time to do it.

Sarlat, La Bugue, Beynac and LaRoque Gageac would all be good places to base yourself. With bikes, I wouldn't stay in Domme and have to face the climb each day after a day's touring.

We have good friends who did a three week bike tour of the Lot and Dordogne (on their own), starting and ending in Toulouse with a side trip to Carcassone thrown in. They went as far north as Sarlat. However, they are experienced cyclists who do several tours each year.

Sorry, that should be LeBugue

If you don't want to rent a car, hire
http://allophilippetaxi.monsite.wanadoo.fr to take you to the caves (he will make the reservations for you), the towns, the sights, or whatever. He is great. However, driving the countryside on your own is easy.