Maitai's Convoluted Dordogne, Languedoc & Provence 2012 Trip
Jan 30th, 2011, 12:20 PM
#41
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dugi, Interesting idea. I will look into that idea. Looks like the Domaine de la Rhue is the place to be for a couple of nights.
In Sarlat we are thinking of staying in town at Villa des Consuls. Other recommendations in Sarlat area would be appreciated. We like to be within walking distance to most dinner spots.
In Sarlat we are thinking of staying in town at Villa des Consuls. Other recommendations in Sarlat area would be appreciated. We like to be within walking distance to most dinner spots.
Jan 30th, 2011, 08:31 PM
#42
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Maitai, we are doing similar to Dugi, but on British Air (on which AAvantage members can now get points, even for the part of the BA trip that starts in USA).
On British you fly from California nonstop thru to London, then have a couple hours' layover til the afternoon flight which gets you from LHR nonstop to Toulouse, arriving at 5:15 pm/
In Sarlat we are staying right in the old town, in the Gite Presidial. The small local company has other flats right in town (see the dropdown menu under "apartments"
Havent stayed there yet, but the folks I've been dealing with have been fantastic--no question is too petty for a next morning response!
http://www.in-sarlat.fr/holiday-rent...ays-rental.php
http://www.in-sarlat.fr/holiday-rent...ays-rental.php
On British you fly from California nonstop thru to London, then have a couple hours' layover til the afternoon flight which gets you from LHR nonstop to Toulouse, arriving at 5:15 pm/
In Sarlat we are staying right in the old town, in the Gite Presidial. The small local company has other flats right in town (see the dropdown menu under "apartments"
Havent stayed there yet, but the folks I've been dealing with have been fantastic--no question is too petty for a next morning response!
http://www.in-sarlat.fr/holiday-rent...ays-rental.php
http://www.in-sarlat.fr/holiday-rent...ays-rental.php
Jan 30th, 2011, 08:44 PM
#44
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http://www.vacationrentalprovence.com/maison.html
above is another place in town. OIt ahs the advantage (at least, basedon the photos) of parking right in front, whereas the place we have in the old part of town, we have to park 5 minutes away.
above is another place in town. OIt ahs the advantage (at least, basedon the photos) of parking right in front, whereas the place we have in the old part of town, we have to park 5 minutes away.
Jan 30th, 2011, 10:22 PM
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Jan 31st, 2011, 05:59 PM
#48
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Hi Dugi! Thanks! That place caught my eye as well in our search for a place in Sarlat. We couldn't do it for some reason-- time period we needed wasnt available perhaps ? Anyway, i thought it was lovely, as was the helpful owner in her responses.
Enjoy!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
Jan 31st, 2011, 06:33 PM
#49
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Will you be driving over the Millau bridge? I loved it when I first saw it and regret not taking a detour to show my husband on our last trip to the area. It was a thrill to drive it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardlowkes/5817254/
(not my page or pictures, just nice photos)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardlowkes/5817254/
(not my page or pictures, just nice photos)
Feb 1st, 2011, 12:26 PM
#50
This thread inspired me to drag out our photos of our trip thru the Dordogne. Almost 20 years ago now!! Among the pics were many of Collanges La Rouge. Is it considered part of the area?
I can't find a good map right now. (We tended to cover a lot of ground when we drove.)
It was one of the most gorgeous villages I've ever seen. Hope it's not been overrun by tourists.
I can't find a good map right now. (We tended to cover a lot of ground when we drove.)
It was one of the most gorgeous villages I've ever seen. Hope it's not been overrun by tourists.
Feb 1st, 2011, 12:34 PM
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Collonges-la-Rouge is definitely overrun with tourists. But then it was overrun with tourists 20 years ago compared to the early 70s when I first saw it, and the early 70s were probably touristy compared to the late 50s.
Feb 1st, 2011, 12:53 PM
#52
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Like everything else in the area, it's not overrun with tourists in the off-season. Of course, a lot of things are closed in the off-season.
It's not technically in the Dordogne; it's in the Corrèze.
It's not technically in the Dordogne; it's in the Corrèze.
Feb 12th, 2011, 09:08 AM
#54
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Since we enjoy marathon "visit different town days," would a loop from Toulouse to Montauban to Cordes-sur-Ciel to Albi back to Toulouse be a good (albeit long) day trip? Looks like total driving time is about three hours giving us another six hours to explore those three towns. Does anyone have a lunch suggestion in Cordes-sur-Ciel or maybe Albi?
Feb 14th, 2011, 05:14 PM
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We stayed at the Villa des Consuls for 4 nights. It is indeed right in the center of things...but good luck trying to park your car.
Make sure you have good maps because it's very easy to find yourself on an assortment of back roads, many of them unpaved...but well marked.
I can't remember what town it was in, but for sure do a canoe trip down the river. The scenery is spectacular.
And do plan some time to visit Collioure. It was the one place on our trip that we wished we had more time.
I'm sure many here will disagree, but the Dordogne region was not one of my favorite areas of France. But I was happy that I experienced it.
Make sure you have good maps because it's very easy to find yourself on an assortment of back roads, many of them unpaved...but well marked.
I can't remember what town it was in, but for sure do a canoe trip down the river. The scenery is spectacular.
And do plan some time to visit Collioure. It was the one place on our trip that we wished we had more time.
I'm sure many here will disagree, but the Dordogne region was not one of my favorite areas of France. But I was happy that I experienced it.
Feb 15th, 2011, 01:36 PM
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There you go again. You're following me, just like you did to DC. At least you're letting me go first, and not blazing a path of destruction before I go. 
Seriously, I'm going with a group of 6 in June, and we'll spend a week based in Beynac-et-Cazenac, then 3 nights in St. Remy, 3 in Nice and 3 in Paris. I would have preferred to eliminate Paris in favor of more time in Provence, but we're doing this as a graduation present for my nephew, and felt like we needed to make Paris.
But, I digress. With regard to the first leg of your trip, I think we're going to do a daytrip from Beynac that will start with Rocamodour, then go to Carennac, before heading back west, generally along the Dordogne, to Beynac. The entire loop is 98 miles, and with a short stop in Rocamodour, I think it should be feasible.
If you add those two nights you are planning to spend in Carennac to your stay in the Dordogne, you could rent a house (and there are some good ones to choose from), do the eastern Dordogne as a daytrip from your western base, and probably have a better experience on balance. Wish I had as much time for my trip as you do for yours.
Seriously, I'm going with a group of 6 in June, and we'll spend a week based in Beynac-et-Cazenac, then 3 nights in St. Remy, 3 in Nice and 3 in Paris. I would have preferred to eliminate Paris in favor of more time in Provence, but we're doing this as a graduation present for my nephew, and felt like we needed to make Paris.
But, I digress. With regard to the first leg of your trip, I think we're going to do a daytrip from Beynac that will start with Rocamodour, then go to Carennac, before heading back west, generally along the Dordogne, to Beynac. The entire loop is 98 miles, and with a short stop in Rocamodour, I think it should be feasible.
If you add those two nights you are planning to spend in Carennac to your stay in the Dordogne, you could rent a house (and there are some good ones to choose from), do the eastern Dordogne as a daytrip from your western base, and probably have a better experience on balance. Wish I had as much time for my trip as you do for yours.
Feb 15th, 2011, 03:03 PM
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>>daytrip from Beynac that will start with Rocamodour, then go to Carennac, before heading back west, generally along the Dordogne, to Beynac.<<
If you have some kids with you (or even if you don't), I wouldn't miss a visit to the Gouffre de Padirac. It's like an old time "Journey to the Center of the Earth". You would expect to see James Mason or Tab Hunter down there - along with a few dinosaurs.
Stu Dudley
If you have some kids with you (or even if you don't), I wouldn't miss a visit to the Gouffre de Padirac. It's like an old time "Journey to the Center of the Earth". You would expect to see James Mason or Tab Hunter down there - along with a few dinosaurs.
Stu Dudley
Feb 16th, 2011, 09:56 AM
#59
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" I wouldn't miss a visit to the Gouffre de Padirac....You would expect to see James Mason"
Stu, definitely going to Gouffre de Padirac, and I believe to actually see James Mason, I will need to travel North by Northwest.
Stu, definitely going to Gouffre de Padirac, and I believe to actually see James Mason, I will need to travel North by Northwest.
Mar 3rd, 2011, 12:06 PM
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maitaitom,
Looks like you've got some great advice from the experts. We'll be in region this June and have planned our itinerary based on the feedback from the many Fodorite contributors. We'll post our trip report when we return so maybe there will be something of value for your planning.
Good luck with your plans,
Michael, your pictures are great.
Looks like you've got some great advice from the experts. We'll be in region this June and have planned our itinerary based on the feedback from the many Fodorite contributors. We'll post our trip report when we return so maybe there will be something of value for your planning.
Good luck with your plans,
Michael, your pictures are great.
