Brenda Breslin

My family will be staying near Bergerac for 3 weeks in August this year. Any information about really interesting places to visit would be much appreciated. We would love to visit Lourdes. Is this a possibility by car in a day or is there a good train service we could use? What sort of temperatures can we expect in August? Where can we obtain a map of the area which shows facilities such as local hypermarkets?

msolomon

We were in the area 2 years ago and loved it..you are right at the Caves of Lascaux (wonderful for kids; it's a terrific receation)..and other villages...Sarlat, Rocamadour were especially worthwhile..Margaret

Diane

I was there a year ago and loved it. Beynac is fun to climb to the top through the narrow winding streets. Also, driving along the river is beautiful, with small towns and chateaux along the way. I bought a small book on Dordogne and Lot but don't remember what it is called, or buy an area specific Michelin green book. <BR> <BR>

elvira

I've visited the area several times, and last fall spent 10 days in the Dordogne Valley. <BR> <BR>Get the Michelin green guide for the area (there are actually two) because there are about a bazillion things to visit: caves, caverns, fortified villages, fortified castles and monasteries, etc. The area offers truffles, foie gras, wine, honey, really good eggs - it's a foodie's slice of heaven. Don't worry about finding a supermarket; they are on the outskirts of the larger cities. There are markets everywhere (there are farmers' markets every day); be sure to shop them and not just the supermarkets (we used the supermarket as the quickie place to buy coffee or sugar, and tried to buy our produce, bread, etc. at local markets). <BR> <BR>It will be hot in August, but not unbearably so (especially if you head up to the fortified villages); it WILL be crowded in all the tourist spots like Lourdes, Rocamadour, Sarlat, etc. <BR> <BR>For train skeds, try www.sncf.com

Beth Y

We were there in September and stayed at a farm inn in Meyrals (1/2 way between St. Cyprien and Le Eyzies. The area is so beautiful and the food in incredible. I was disappointed with the food in Paris after eating here. And so cheap! We were only there for 4 nights, so I can only give you a little advice. I envy your three weeks. First, I highly recommend the Cadogan book on Southwest France (Dordogne Lot Bordeaux). I found it to be the most thorough and easy to read about this region. For instance, it gives you a good explanation of what is good or bad about each of the caves, so you can choose amoung the many. Based on its recommendation, (we only had time for one cave) we went to Font de Guame. They only allow limited people in per day, so go get your tickets early. I don't know how old you are, but you do have to hike up a bit, but my mother in law in her bad knee made it. It is really a great cave, with some amazing paintings. We decided against Lascaux because, although people say it is great, it is a reproduction and we wanted to see the real thing. We found Le Eyzies, the town where Lascaux is, to be very touristy. Especially when the rest of the region, at least the parts we saw, are not very touristy at all. We did eat lunch at Moulin de la Beune, which is in the middle of town down a steep drive. It was a nice respite from the crowded town, as it was beside a pretty brook. <BR>We also went to La Roque Gageac. It is a beautiful town and the boat trips are a really nice way to relax after lunch. <BR>Went to St. Cyprien one afternoon, but didn't think much of it. But just driving to the town made up for it. <BR>Have fun!

Dave

Rockamadour was memorable.

Brenda Breslin

Thankyou for your replies. Having read the replies here and also the replies to some other people about the Dordogne I can only conclude that a visit to the area makes ordinary people into poets. Some of the descriptive vocabularly was beautiful. I have only one problem I want to go NOW, NOW, NOW. I can't wait until August. <BR> <BR>Brenda.