I will be taking a cruise that will disembark in Nice. I have always wanted to visit the Dordogne, and I thought maybe this would be the time.

How difficult and time consuming will it be to transfer from Nice to the Dordogne. Also, I would love suggestions for planning a week in the Dordogne. In which towns should I stay? I would also appreciate accomodation suggestions.

I need to book air as soon as possible since this trip will take place the beginning of August. Thanks to all who can help!

will you be driving or taking the train?

Dordogne is really a place where you need a car to fully enjoy it as public transport once there is rather lacking

I could recommend if going by road to go via Carcassonne or the Avignon/Arles (Provence) areas perhaps or Rocamadour (said to be most visited place in France outside Paris after Mont-Saint-Michel)!

By train you can get to Sarlat - the capital of the Dordogne for tourists and i guess be able to get to some nearby pre-historic caves, etc. but you really want a car one there.

But the Dordogne ain't that close to Nice - i'd say maybe 300 miles - anyway a long long drive if doing it straight thru

It takes about 7 1/2 hrs to drive to the Dordogne (Sarlat) from Nice. There is a train leaving Nice at 12:36 and arrives in Toulouse at 7:44. Then it is about a 2 hr drive to Sarlat in the Dordogne.

I would take the train, stay overnight in Toulouse (one of our favorite cties in France), and drive to the Dordogne the next afternoon - after exploring Toulouse.

Hotel Mermoz is near the train station in Toulouse. You can rent a car at the train station.

There are probably flights from Nice to Toulouse.

You can take a train from Brive la Gaillard near the Dordogne, back to Paris for your return home - or depart from Toulouse or Bordeaux by air.

Things to do in the Dordogne ??? I have a 20 page itinerary for the Dordogne that I've sent to hundreds of people on Fodors. E-mail me at [email protected] of you want a copy. Do so soon, however, we're leaving for France in 2 weeks.

St Cirq will tell you that August is not a good time to be in the Dordogne.

Stu Dudley

August is not a good time to be in the Dordogne.

August is not a good time to be almost anywhere nice in southern France - the warm weather playground for northern Europeans fleeing their not unusually cool and damp summers!

mid-July to last weekend of August is a zoo in places like Dordogne and Riviera and Provence and...

Even zillions of Italians running amok here

St. Cirq, August is the only time that I can visit the Dordogne this year. Should I pass? I'm a teacher so I might not be able to get there until I retire, if the summer is not a good time to visit.

Also, I know that you own a home there. Would you have any recommendations for towns and'or accomodations in the region?

If this is your only chance, go for it. Just be prepared for clogged roads, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at the markets, rivers thronged with people and boats, and all the rest.

You'll definitely need a car. I'd fly from Nice to Toulouse if you can to make the most of your time. Get up early to get places, take a big break in the middle of the day, and take advantage of the very long daylight hours to do things well into the evenings.

For accommodations, draw a circle around Sarlat going about 30 kms out from it. Look for a place to stay in the south, west, and north quadrants of that circle. If you say what your budget is and what kind of accomodations (hotel, B&B, gîte), we can give you specific recommendations, but it's already late to be booking for August, so you'd best hurry.

One good thing about August is, because it's high season, there will be lots of local festivals and nocturnal events, many of which are really fun to attend.

While not answering for St Cirq, we have only been to that area four times. But we have never had a problem driving in July or August, always staying off the auto routes. We should not try to scare you. Tourists are everywhere. A person wants to go to a lovely ares of France. GO

I am fine with various types of accommodations. I would not them to be too rustic but fancy is not necessary either. I like authentic, not something that can be found anywhere in the world. My budget is open, but I would rather not pay luxury prices.

Hi; So, would you be driving? Easier to give ideas on accommodations.

Consider going there next June. The huge crowds don't arrive till about mid-July. We were there for the last 2 weeks of June last year, and it was not crowded at all.

A B&B owner we met said that in August you could actually walk across the Dordogne on foot - stepping on all the boats on the river.

Stu Dudley

It's true, Stu. In August, the last time we were there, last year, the river was so swollen with canoes and kayakers and people that could easily have traversed the river without touching water.

As for a suggestion of where to stay. We stayed at Le Relais du Pech, a B&B about 15 km from Sarlat. It's in a nice rural setting in Carlux. The owners are English and very informative of what to do and see in the area. The rooms are simple but comfortable. There is a kitchen available which is shared by other guests. When we were there several weeks ago, the rate was 60 euros for a double.

http://www.lerelaisdupech.com/indexfr.html

'In August, the last time we were there, last year, the river was so swollen with canoes and kayakers and people that could easily have traversed the river without touching water,'

In fact in the local paper last week they mentioned that in July/August 4,500 people pass under the bridge at Cenac EVERY DAY. That's the bridge below Domme, start of the most popular canoeing route, down to La Roque Gageac and Beynac. Even given that most canoes will have 2 people, it's a lot of canoes

Just to underline what others have said - it is heaving in July / August. We have a home there but go elsewhere in those months (and like a few others we know - we rent it out instead ) Having said that there are some beautiful villages etc in the area that are less frequented by tourists. Sarlat and Rocamadour are the really packed locations. May / June or September are the nicest times (IMHO)...less crowded and more pleasant temperatures. Also the Dordogne has a tendency to have a lot of thunderstorms in August.

Btw Sarlat is the capital of the Perigord Noir, the capital of the Dordogne is Perigueux.

My view; You are getting advice from some people who could be considered residents of that area. Combined, they know everything there is to know in that area. [H-K, Stu and St. Cirq] However, usually redidents want 'fewer' tourists. But I am a tourist. You will love meeting some of these people from other countries. Lots of tourists. But it's not like you cannot move around. We loved our four trips there during the summer. Send for Stu's itinerary. Folks, remember, this person has a cruise the first part of August and she/he wants to visit this area. Let's help and not discourage.

I'm not discouraging. I flat out told her that she should go if it's her only chance. Fact is, though, it's mobbed. When I first bought my house there in 1994, August was no big deal. Today it's thronged. Last time I was there in August, in 2008, we missed two canoe rental appointments two days in a row because the drive from our house to the canoe rental place took more than an hour, when normally it would take 15 minutes. Just tellin' it like it is.

Hey St. Cirq; June 3rd at 8:23pm. Good comment. All I'm trying to say is, let's stay on that course. Peace

First, thanks to everyone for your advice. I wish I could visit France in June or September. Six years ago, when I was on a leave from teaching, I had an opportunity to visit France for 3 weeks in June. It was wonderful.

But, sigh, I couldn't be on leave forever. I work until the end of June. The last day for this school year is June 25th so, visititing France in June just can't happen for me, and neither can September. As I said, I would hate to have to wait until retirement.

I few years ago, I spent 3 weks in Italy in August. Although it was crowdwd, the only sites that felt too crowded were the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain in Rome, and parts of Florence. Other than that, it was exhilierating. I remember thinking that I was very fortunate to be able to enjoy a place that others obviously enjoy very much, as well. And that was fourth visit to Italy.

However, as someone mentioned in an earlier post, this is last minute planning, so I need to make some decisions rather quickly. I usually plan my trips to Europe 4-7 months in advance. This is the reason I need your expert advice. If I had more time, I would do more research myself.

And, even if I csn't make the Dordogne come togethar for this year, I will use the information within the next year or two.
Again, I enjoy authentic accommodations that are in good locations, and are clean and pleasant. My budget is flexible. I do not necessitate inexpensive accommodations, nor am I looking for luxury.

I am planning to rent a car at some point. I am not yet sure if I will fly, rail, or drive to Toulouse. Flying would save time, but I will have a decent amount of luggage with me after the cruise. I don't want a local inexpensive flight to become expensive because of baggage fees. I am sure that the drive from Nice would be lovely, but I also like the idea of saving time by flying. I'll have to decide soon. I will rent a car in Toulouse if I fly.

Thanks again to all. I look forward to your suggestions.

>>I am sure that the drive from Nice would be lovely<<

nope - except for a brief section around the turnoff to St Tropez. If you leave Nice anytime after around 10am, you will be driving with the sun in your face until you get to Toulouse.

Take the train if you are worried about luggage.

Stu Dudley