I’m just starting to research and prepare our Dordogne itinerary but can’t make it past Day 1. Pretty pathetic. But here’s my quandary.

Our trip will begin with an evening arrival in Toulouse in mid-September (on a Wednesday). Due to the lateness of our arrival and the fact that we will have started our journey the day before in California, we will be spending the first night in Toulouse and then renting our car and starting our journey the following morning. That gives us 6 nights to spend as we wish for our Dordogne leg. (Once we finish the Dordogne leg, we will be spending 9 nights in an apartment in Paris.) We intend to be based out of Sarlat for the majority of our time in the Dordogne.

I’ve come up with a few possibilities and would appreciate some comments and suggestions from you for our first day when we leave Toulouse:

1. Drive to Albi, Figeac, and stay near Rocamadour (we’re thinking of Domaine de la Rhue). See Rocamadour (Stu T recommended walking there in the morning from the Domaine de la Rhue) and then Gouffre de Padirac and then drive to Sarlat.

2. Drive to St. Cirq Lapopie, Grotte de Pech Merle and then drive to Domaine de la Rhue (although I’m not sure about the driving route). Again, see Rocamadour and Gouffre de Padirac the following day.

3. Drive straight to Rocamadour and see Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac, Castelnaud, Carrenac, Martel (somehow divided up on the day we arrive and the day we leave).

4. Spend the first night in Sarlat.

We generally like to stay in one place without moving around a lot but, in this instance, we thought it might make sense to spend one night at the Domaine de la Rhue so we wouldn’t have to backtrack and we could decrease some of the driving we would otherwise have to do. And Gouffre de Padirac is a must-do on my husband’s list.

So what do you all think? Thanks in advance.

ttt

Hi wj,

There is so much to see that you won't be disappointed, no matter how you arrange your visit.

Have you considered 8 nights in the Dordogne and 7 in Paris?

That will make it easier to decide what to see.

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

I've only been to see some of the places you're considering, and will visit more of them on our trip to the Dordogne NEXT MONTH (yay!) We'll be driving from the Languedoc, further south than Toulouse, up to Sarlat, where we're staying for 4 nights, so we've been through some of the same thought processes that you are.

Based on the advice of others, it sounds like Pech Merle is a not-too-far day trip from Sarlat. So you might leave that part of the plan for later in your stay.

Albi and Figeac sound interesting and beautiful (I haven't been, and we won't be able to fit it in this trip; we are also travelling with our 11yo son, so our focus is different than if it was just us adults). And you aren't likely to visit them once you're in Sarlat. I would probably vote for this route.

Rocamadour is a stunning site, though I wasn't really thrilled by what's in the town. But the view of the village in the morning would be wonderful, I imagine. Then Gouffre de Padirac, then on to Sarlat (or you could try to squeeze in Pech Merle on that day).

I hope you'll have enough time to visit Toulouse - one of our favorites.

I would do a variation of #1. Hit Albi in the morning (everything closes for lunch), then a quick stop in Cordes, then on to Figeac. Last time we were in Figeac it was duing lunch, and it was just as enjoyable as when the shops are open (not much shopping there). Then on to Padirac to catch one of the later tours. There's really no reason to get to Rocamadour much before 5 or 6. You want to arrive after the day trippers have left. Stay in Rocamadour. Next morning, visit Castelnau (get there when it opens), Carennac, Martel, and la Cave on the way to Sarlat

Visit St Cirq Lapopie & Peche Merle from Sarlat.

Stu Dudley

Thanks everyone.

Ira: For better or worse, we are locked into our schedule with 9 nights in Paris (we have pre-booked an apartment). It's been awhile since I read your report so I will be reading it again. Thanks for the reminder.

Lexma90: Thanks for your input and I can't wait to hear about your trip when you return.

Stu: Thanks for your suggestions. I spent some time reading about the sites you mentioned as well as looking at the route on the map. You really are a genius. It all made perfect sense. The only question remaining is whether we truly need to stay in Rocamadour proper or whether we can stay just outside at the Domaine de la Rhue.

Thanks again everyone. I'll be back with a proposed itinerary for our remaining time in Sarlat but I need to some more homework first. This is really going to be a great trip.

>>The only question remaining is whether we truly need to stay in Rocamadour proper or whether we can stay just outside at the Domaine de la Rhue.<<

I've done neither, but I wouldn't think it would make a big difference. The area around Rocamadour is quite scenic.

Stu Dudley