Help Please: Dordogne
 

Hi all,

I am starting planning for a motor trip to Bordeau as far out as Carcassone, up to Lascaux and back.

First question: I can do this in mid-April/May or mid-Sept/Oct.

Any advice on which is the better time of year?

t

ira:

Both times are beautiful. Very generally speaking, there's likely to be less rain in the fall. In spring you have all the beautiful fruit orchards in bloom; in fall, the leaves are turning and the light is gorgeous.
It's warm enough to swim still in September/October, probably not in April/May. There are probably about an equal number of festivals and local events in spring and fall. September/October you might catch the harvest.
Are you planning to start in Bordeaux, thten head to Carcassonne and then back to Bordeaux through the Dordogne? I'm trying to picture your route.

Thanks for your response, St Cirq.

I'm just starting on the planning.

Saw Rick Steves' show this week on Sarlat and Lascaux and Lourdes and thought that this would be an interesting area to visit.

A neighbor has family in Bordeaux and has urged me to visit there as well.

I was also intrigued by your reports from Perigord.

At the moment I am working inside the region of Bordeaux-Lourdes-Limoge. Thinking of about a 2 week motor tour.

>Are you planning to start in Bordeaux, then head to Carcassonne and then back to Bordeaux through the Dordogne?<

As a start, but I am more than willing to be guided.

topping

We love the Dordogne -- perhaps our favorite region of France. I hope that you'll visit Font de Gaume instead of (or perhaps in additon to) Lascaux. Seeing the original drawings instead of reproductions, however good, is much more mind-boggling. One advantage to a trip in May, by the way, is the extra daylight hours compared to the autumn.

Thanks, aloha.

I have noted your suggestions.

Any idea of temperatures in April-May vs Sept-Oct? Most places I am looking to stay in don't have AC.

You shouldn't need AC at either time of year. In fact, you'll probably want a warm fire at night, at least in April. It will be warm during the day in Sept/Oct, but can get a bit chilly in the evening.
I wouldn't bother going to Limoges, either, unless Oradour-sur-Glane is your reason for doing so. There's plenty to do and see in Languedoc and the Dordogne that's prettier and more interesting than Limoges.

Thanx, StCirq.