ggrace

Hello fellow fodorites. I'm busy planning our family holiday in France next July and need some advice or suggestions. Our original plan was to spend 2 weeks in Provence and one week in Paris. My husband doesn't want to spend an entire week in Paris (been there, done that many times), so I'm looking at other areas. I've researched several threads and found the Dordogne region to be most interesting for all of our tastes; we have 2 active, teenage boys. I have already booked our cottage in Provence for the 2 weeks in early July and I'm thinking of splitting the last week with 4 days in the Dordogne area and the remaining time in Paris. Based on what I've read, 4 days does not do this area justice, but I suppose another trip would have to be made. Given our time constraits, does anyone have any recommendations on "must see" places to visit and also places/towns to stay? We would like to see Lascaux and perhaps one or 2 other areas without making the time seem too hectic. We will have a car for the duration of this portion of our holiday. I'd also like to be centrally located just to make driving easier. I'm thinking that we'd drop off the car in Bordeaux and train back to Paris. I believe it's a 3 hour ride from there.

To Stu Dudley...I have read that you have a Provence and Dordogne area itinerary. May I send you my email address to obtain a copy?

Thanks for all your help!

Grace

StuDudley

>>To Stu Dudley...I have read that you have a Provence and Dordogne area itinerary. May I send you my email address to obtain a copy?<<

Sure
[email protected]

I'de drop Paris entirely & spent the entire week in the Dordogne. Even a week isn't enough. Fly home from Bordeaux or Toulouse.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

Don't bother going to the Dordogne if you have only 3-4 days, really. There are plenty of places in France that merit 3-4 days (the Loire, the Route du Vin in Alsace, Picardie, etc.). The Dordogne is not one of them

ggrace

Thanks for your input. I still think that Dordogne would be best suited for all of us. My boys are not interested in wine or chateaux. My older one has studied some paleolithic art and seemed most keen on visiting caves. My younger one is quite curious and loves to spelunk. The wine route would be enjoyed by my husband and I sans kids.
As far as skipping Paris...it would be like visiting India and not seeing the Taj Mahal. I enjoy Paris, even if it's just for a day or so.

ira

Hi gg,

I agree that you should spend more time in the Dordogne.

Cut Paris back to 2 nights.

I also suggest dropping the car in Libourne and taking the TGV to Paris from there.

You won't have to bother with the Bordeaux traffic.

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

Photos at http://tinyurl.com/sjch4
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-pla2au

Enjoy your visit.

ggrace

Thanks for your input ira. Your suggestion to drop off the car in Libourne is a good idea. I haven't checked into car rentals as yet...but I'll keep that piece of advice in mind. Also, I enjoyed seeing your pictures. The area is quite lovely.

grace