We are getting married in Monbazillac (Bergerac) in the Dordogne at the end of September. A suprising number of Americans have expressed interest in coming to the wedding. Do any of you have any insight into the most cost-effective way for them to travel? Flying into Bordeaux is more expensive than flying into Paris-- but perhaps renting a car or taking the train from Paris would negate any money saved by flying into Paris as opposed to Bordeaux?

Also, we are thinking of a having a casual 'rehearsal' type dinner somewhere in/near Bergerac, does anyone have any suggestions for a place we could do this? We are looking for something informal and reasonably priced (since the wedding is formal) that could fit approximately 50 people. Ideally it would expose the Americans to a taste of this beautiful region.

Thanks for any insight.

julie

Flybe, Airlinair, and Ryanair fly to Bergerac from various European gateways, but I think it would be cheaper and take less time to fly to Paris and get one of those 25-euro PREM's fares on the TGV to Bordeaux, then a connecting train to Bergerac. With the PREM's fares, it's definitely cheaper to take the train than to drive from Paris. If PREM's aren't available for the right dates, family groups traveling together qualify for SNCF discounts.

It's been awhile since I've spent time in Bergerac, but here are a couple of places we liked that might suit your need for an informal rehearsal dinner:

http://www.otedis.com/template.php?L...nc&id=7460

http://www.wineint.com/story.asp?storycode=361 (this is an article - don't know if l'Enfance de Lard has its own website)

http://www.chateau-monbazillac.com/uk/restaurant.html

http://www.chateauxhotelsfrance.com/...tlnocount=true

Félicitations!

The airport at Bergerac is accessible only from Stansted, Southampton, Bristol and Orly. Only Orly has intercontinental flights, but some of your crew might want to combine this with a stopover in London. Southampton airport has its own railway station, with frequent trains to central London taking a bit over an hour. The three English airports are all served by low-cost carriers.

www.bergerac.aeroport.fr/infosvols/index.php

Best wishes on your upcoming marriage! We'll toast you with our last bottle of Monbazillac.

Thanks all!! Hooray- we can get roundtrip TGV tickets for 50E from Paris to Bordeaux. And our British friends can go straight to Bergerac.
StCirq: Ironically your first suggestion for a restaurant (La Flambee) is the place we are thinking about booking for lodging for all of our friends and family...do you think it is a decent place to stay as well as to eat?

Thanks again everyone.

The Flambee receives good reviews in the Red Michelin Guide citing that it is in a pretty floral (in season) park setting with spacious and individually decorated rooms , and that it has most elegant dining rooms. With only 20 rooms at 61-77 euros, I would make my reservation quickly.

Another bonus...you wouldn't have to worry about celebrating with too much bubbly and then risking driving.