France Itinerary - Nice or Dordogne with Provence
 

We are planning a trip to France arriving Paris on Monday 5/31 and returning to US from Paris on 6/17. We have an apt booked from 6/5 to 6/12 in Provence (Roussillon) and need help on deciding where to spend the time before and after Provence. I've read many comments from people recommending Dordogne region. We were originally thinking of spending the extra time in Provence or Nice before checking into apt. We are thinking of going to Beaune/Dijon area on 6/12 for 2 nights and then Paris from 6/14 until we depart on 6/17. Any suggestions on what to do between 5/31 and 6/5?

You could take the train from Paris to Brive and visit the Dordogne for 3 days and then drive to Roussillon in one day. Most Dordogne lovers would recommend against that, but you can see quite a bit in three days.

The Dordogne really deserves at least 5 nights/5 full days - which you don't seem to have available.

If you leave your Provence apt around 10am, you won't get to Beaune/Dijon till mid-afternoon or early evening on a Saturday (assuming you are driving). Sundays are dead in Dijon (Monday morning too), and things are a little slow in Beaune on Sunday too - but you'll find plenty to entertain you. Mondays are pretty dead in Beaune. Sat night to Monday mid-day is not the best time to visit these cities. Chateaux in the countryside are "open" however, but with 2 days you won't be able to see that much.

I think I would spend the first 5 nights in Nice/Cote d'Azur. Then the remaining days after Provence in Paris.

Stu Dudley



Pick up a car *

After three weeks in Provence last September, we went to Sarlat, in the Dordogne region and loved every moment. The topography, foods, wines, and sights, from prehistoric to medieval, are simply outstanding. Font de Gomme is wonderful, as are all the little towns along the river. We also enjoyed our day trip to Rocamadour. You won't be disappointed in that area, so vastly different from Roussillon, Gordes, Apt, Boux, Bonnieux, and the whole Luberon/Vaucluse area, etc. Have a wonderful trip.

Robert how many days did you spend in Dordogne? I see from Michelin that it is about a 6 hr drive from Sarlat to Roussillon. Is that accurate? We actually have 4 full days June 1-4 available. I see that Stu feels this is too little time.

IF you arrive on the usual early morning flight and immediately leave Paris for the Dordogne on 5/31, you would have at least 4 good days in the area. That would give you a great taste of the region before you decide to return on a later trip, which is amost a given with practically everyone. Then on 6/5 make your way to Provence before heading back to Paris.

This would make for a long drive on your first day, so like Michael, I would also recommend taking a train to Brive, and renting a car there. Stu is right, you will need a car for this area.

--Annie

It's time consuming to get to Sarlat from CDG airport.

We've:
1. Flown to Bordeaux & driven to Sarlat from there - but it's a 2 1/2 drive which makes it a big day.
2. Flown to Bordeaux, stayed in St Emilion overnight, and driven to Sarlat the next day - which gives you less time in the Dordogne
3. Flown to Toulouse, stayed overnight in Toulouse, and driven (2 1/2 hrs) to Sarlat the next morning
4. Taken the TGV from CDG to Bordeaux, stayed overnight in Bordeaux, and driven to Sarlat the next morning.

To take the train to Brive, you have to get from CGD into Paris, pick up the train (depart 2pm, arrive in Brive at 6PM), then it is a 1 1/4 hr drive to Sarlat. I would not want to do this immediatly after a flight to Paris.

If you are already in Paris at the start or end of a trip, the Brive option is great - but the OP doesn't really have time available to leave the Provence apt at 10, arrive in Sarlat at 4pm on a Sat, then leave the next Wed for a 1 nighter in Paris (or Bordeaux or Toulouse) before flying home.

winnick - if you want to "taste" the Dordogne, pick one of my 3 options above that most suites your traveling style, and do that. remember, Gite check-in time is usually at 4pm, so you'll have to leave the Dordogne by 10 on Sat.

In addition to the above 4 options, you could fly to Toulouse, rent a car, stay the first night in St Cirq Lapopie & visit Peche Merle the next morning, followed by Rocamadour - before heading to Sarlat.

Stu Dudley

>>pick one of my 3 options above <<

Pick one of my 4 options above

Thanks Stu, I think you've talked me into going to Nice instead and saving Dordogne until next time when we can spend more time there.

I am jumping in here as I need Stu's advice! Been reading all day (cold here in the south!) and I am just confused
We will check out of our apt in Paris on May 13, hopefully take a train to "where" in Dordogne-need that input!
planning on 5 nights in the area; should we choose one spot or split it up?

Would love to stay in a "chateau" like accommodation for at least 2 nights (last 2 maybe) as I know they will be pricey, but got to do it...

So how should I divide my time in the area...

I think I need Stu's itinerary badly; but have a couple months to figure that out; just needed to know I was going so add the 5 days to my air booking (and get Mr. on board)


Thanks for any help!

>>We will check out of our apt in Paris on May 13, hopefully take a train to "where" in Dordogne-need that input!<<

Brive la Gaillard would be my choice. It's about 1 1/4 hrs by car (you'll need one) from Sarlat - which is kinda the center of the Dordogne. On the way to Sarlat, visit Collonges la Rouge, Turenne, & Gouffre la Fage (every time we've tried to visit the Gouffre - it has been closed). On the return to Brive from Sarlat, visit Condat and Terrasson

>>planning on 5 nights in the area; should we choose one spot or split it up?<<

One spot in/near Sarlat, Beynac, Roque Gageac, or Domme would be my choice. I like the river villages (Beynac & Roque Gageac), but Domme has fantastic views, and Sarlat is loaded with shops, cafes, and restaurants (good restaurants in Roque Gageac & Domme too)

>>Would love to stay in a "chateau" like accommodation for at least 2 nights (last 2 maybe) as I know they will be pricey, but got to do it<<

Can't help you with that - we stay in Gites.

>>So how should I divide my time in the area...

I think I need Stu's itinerary badly; <<

E-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach my itinerary to a reply e-mail.

Stu Dudley

Winnick, that's probably a great idea. We went straight from the airport in 2006, and although we arrived in La Roque Gageac before 5:00, it was a very long day. Stu's advice is fight on...and having more time near your main destination makes for a much more relaxed vacation.

--Annie

I would save the Dordogne for when you have more days. No matter how you slice up this itinerary, you'll be shortchanging yourself. Go to Nice this time and go back to the Dordogne when you have a minimum of a week, preferably more. And FWIW, there are very few chateau accommodations in the Dordogne. Most of the chateaux are privately owned and lived in by the owners or relatives or renters, are historic sites, or are ruins. The Chateau de Puymartin takes in guests, but it has a ghost.

And the editor in me has to comment on "Font de Gomme." It's Font de Gaume, not "eraser fountain."

>>The Chateau de Puymartin takes in guests, but it has a ghost.<<

Nice chateau to visit. I didn't know you could stay there!!! Great location.

Stu Dudley