Ok, I thought I wasn't the kind of person who planned each day on a trip, but here I am eating my words, so here goes:

Starting from near Lalinde (western Perigord) is it too much of a day to drive very early on Saturday to Sarlat market, spend a couple of hours, (til we can't stand the crowds) and then drive on to Jardins d'Eyrignac for lunch and then a garden tour??

This will be last weekend in September, the day after we arrive at our rental house.

Thanks in advance to all you patient Dordogne fodorites who might be willing to answer yet another detail question

It's only an hour drive to Sarlat according to Google map; I don't see a problem. However, it's not just the market that attracts visitors to Sarlat, sp I would not count on just going to the market and then on to Eyrignac.

：D

No problem with your plan...plenty of time. I would suggest that you look for parking in Sarlat on the northwest part of the medieval city, in the free parking areas near the cemetery. That way, you'll already be near the north side of Sarlat when you leave and head for Eyrignac. Have fun!

Not a problem.

BTW, the Thursday market in Lalinde is fun too.

thanks,all. And St. cirq: we'll definitely do the market in Lalinde, as our house will be about 5 miles from there.

oh, and Michael: I have a feeling we will be in Sarlat more than once. It seems it will be on the way to other places for us, and that we will be driving east most of the time.

Eyrignac is just a couple of hours at the most. I would have lunch in Sarlat and just count on seeing Eyrignac in the middle of the afternoon.

Maybe you're right. we will certainly explore that option, so if it's not too crowded in Sarlat we can walk around and see more. I gather there are good restaurant choices in Sarlat for lunch. do you know any?

If not too fussy about the food, L'Auberge de Mirandol gives a lot of food for the price. We used to get the 18€ menu and have switched to the 13€ menu. It is not quite what it used to be, but is acceptable for what it is--stick to the Périgord specialties, country dishes like cassoulet and maybe the steak, and forget the escargots. I was disappointed by l'Octroi, which most people really like, and for something upscale, le Grand Bleu can't be beat.