<<<Should we spend the night before in Toulouse or is there a village on the way that would work. I hear Toulouse is very nice but I would like to avoid the traffic getting into town just for one night.<<

Like I stated - Toulouse is our second favorite city in France (tied with Dijon - Paris is first). How about driving to the airport, return the car, and take a taxi to Toulouse.

One of our "top 5" medium sized cities in France is Albi. That's 1 hr from the airport - but I would not want to drive to an unfamiliar airport for a "mid-day" flight unless the flight leaves sometime after 13:00.

Stu Dudley

Stu, our flight is at 13:00, so you're right we should probably stay in Toulouse. We're considering the Grand Balcan or the Opera. Are you familiar with either one? And what route would be the best/ most scenic route from Rocamadour to Toulouse?

>>We're considering the Grand Balcan or the Opera.<<

We are staying at the Opera in August<<<


>>> And what route would be the best/ most scenic route from Rocamadour to Toulouse?<<

Get to Toulouse ASAP. We stayed just outside of Carcassonne for 2 weeks last year - and the region between Carcassonne to Toulouse isn't that scenic, unless you head north from Carcassonne towards Albi.

Stu Dudley

Please pardon my interruption.

Stu, would you also recommend going from Toulouse to Sarlat as quickly as possible?

Nope - lots of stuff to see along the way. We've spent 6 weeks between Toulouse & Sarlat

Albi
Castelnau de Montmiral
Lisle sur Tarn
Cordes sur Ciel
St Antonin Noble Val
Gorges de l'Aveyron
Bruniquel
Villefranche de Rouergue
Figeac
Cele River villages
Cahors
St Cirq Lapopie
Pech Merle cave
Rocamadour
Gouffre de Padirac
Loubressac
Autoire
St Cere
Carennac
Martel
Grottes de Lacave

plus about 10 other small villages

A whole lot of beautiful countryside

Stu Dudley

Stu, I much prefer visiting small towns to large cities. I'm thinking we would leave our hotel in La Cave early on Sep 13 and head toward to Toulouse. I would love to stop along the way and visit some picturesque villages. Perhaps stop at St Cirq La Popie and maybe Figeac. Would it be possible to do that and till arrive in Toulouse late afternoon?

Sure.

If you are staying at Le Treyne - we'll be there for our 45th Anniversary dinner on Sept 5. Later in that week or the next, week we'll be dining at Pont de l'Ouysse also in Lacave. We'll be staying in Carennac for 2 weeks - our favorite small village in that region.

Do you have my Dordogne itinerary???

Stu Dudley

Yes we are spending two nights at La Treyne. Thought we would dine one night there. I'll check your other restaurant for the second night. And yes, I would love your Dordogne itinerary. I have enjoyed using your itinieries of Other places.

E-mail me at [email protected] for my Dordogne itinerary

Stu Dudley

Thanks, Stu. Will look all that up.

Green Guide from Michelin is a great help for the region.