I'm planning a trip to the Dordogne and Paris next April. We'll be arriving in Bordeaux; after 11 days we'll train to Paris for a week. I've been doing lots of research for lodging~gites, B&Bs and hotels. My current rough plan is B&Bs (on a budget)three days around St. Emilian, five days around Sarlat, and three days north of Brantome, possible last night in Limoges (I want to visit Oradour sur Glane). I'm considering gites, but don't like some of the terms, and want a little more freedom to move around. When should I be making my B&B reservations? Six months or three months?
I have a Paris apartment picked out, and will reserve in the next week.
Also, anyone know of a really special chateau stay in the Bordeaux/Dordogne area?

If there are specific properties you want to stay - then you should book as soon as your dates are firm.

Otherwise you can wait until later this Fall. But winging it can be problematic - you can end up wasting a lot of time/money looking for places.

Thanks Janis~I totally agree about 'winging it'. I'm definitely a planner, and want to know where I'm sleeping each night. I just wasn't sure how quickly the B&Bs get booked up. My research is ongoing, and I'll book in the next several weeks.

Anyone with some great chateau recommendations?

Hi K,

We very much enjoyed our stay at http://www.chateau-de-roques.com near St. Emilion.

You might find my trip report helpful:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645

Photos at http://tinyurl.com/sjch4

Some of chambre d'hotes or B&B's, especially in rural areas, won't start taking reservations until early next year as they haven't established their 2008 prices yet. Even if you email them now for information, don't be surprise if they don't answer back at all since they think its too early to start a reservation for April 2008.

I'm a winger. I used to not reserve at all ahead of time, but now I will reserve as much as 1-2 weeks ahead of time, because of you people.

My one exception is the Avignon festival in July, when I always reserve 2 months ahead of time.

Thanks for the link Ira~I think I skimmed it a couple months ago when I started planning. I love your food descriptions.
Joy, good to know about the small B&Bs. I'm still researching, and will have several options for each area, so I won't panic if I don't hear back from a place when I start to enquire.
The couple times I've tried to 'wing it' in Ireland were disappointing. While I don't plan my days to the minute, I do like to know where I"m staying.
Thanks for everyone's help!

>Some of chambre d'hotes or B&B's, especially in rural areas, won't start taking reservations until early next year as they haven't established their 2008 prices yet. Even if you email them now for information, don't be surprise if they don't answer back at all since they think its too early to start a reservation for April 2008.<
Joy you mean those owners prefer not to answer than take someone because they don't know how much they will charge them? Amazing! Are you sure it is in France?
As an owner if my guests book before I change my rates, they will get the rate they booked that's all. I can't even think turning people away for such a thing!

Yes, coco, I'm sure its in France...after all, France is a big country with thousands of b&bs, some with owners who does not take very early reservation irregardless if they lose money!! I also inquire early and I do speak from experience.

I emailed several small hotels in St Remy for next June and they didn't answer me. I then went thru Franceby.com and my first hotel of choice came back sold out. My second choice Villa Galanum is now confirmed thru Franceby.com

I was a little surprised that the hotels didn't answer my emails and I thought perhaps it was too early. Considering some of the properties only have 5 rooms I guess it wouldn't take much to fill up.

I emailed several hotels in the Luberon. Le Clos du Buis in Bonnieux advised they are expecting a small group of artists for the first two weeks in June 2008 and are already sold out.

I don't think it's too early to start planning. The best places will book well in advance.