We are beginning to plan our 3 week trip to France, one of which will be in the Dordogne based out of Sarlat (9/9-9/15) We want to take day trips out of Sarlat and would appreciate all your suggestions.

Do you have my 20+ page Dordogne itinerary?? Lots of ideas. e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll send you one.

Stu Dudley

Hi adman1937,
We loved the Dordogne region. Sarlat was one of our favorite places. Beautiful to just wander around!! The morning market is Wednesday, don't miss it. One of the best around.

We also made reservations at Font de Gaume cave. The site is: http://www.hominides.com/html/lieux/...t-de-gaume.htm , but you have to email them to make a reservation at [email protected]. Be sure to specify an English tour (if that is what you want). It was very interesting.

Oradour-sur-Glane was an interesting day trip. Very sobering experience.

We spent another day just driving around to the "Most Beautiful Villages". The Collonges la Rouge was a beautiful village. http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en

We drove to St Cirq Lapopie on our way to Carcassonne. It is a fantastic town on a cliff overlooking the Lot river. It is a bit of a drive to get there but so worth it...great to just wander around the streets and shops.

Another thing we absolutely loved was the candlelit night we spent at the Marqueyssac gardens. I think it is only July and August though so it might not apply to your dates. But if you are there for it, don't miss it.

We loved the Dordogne region and spent days just driving from village to village. Can't wait to return.

Have a great trip,
Michele

Beynac
La Roque-Gageac
Domme
St-Cyprien
Lascaux II in Montignac
Castelnaud
Les Milandes
Monpazier
Limeuil
Long day trip: Martel, Collonges-la-Rouge, Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac

Markets:

Le Bugue: big market Tuesday, small market Saturday
St-Cyprien: Sunday
Lalinde: Thursday
Montignac: Friday
Sarlat: Wednesday and Saturday

Also search on my screen name for a gazillion other more detailed tips.

I would add Rouffignac as a completely different cave painting experience. No reservations, so it is best to get there first thing in the morning.

Hautefort is worth a visit. I prefer the 17th cent. hospital (now a medical museum) to the chateau.

On the way to Montignac, St. Amand de Coly is worth a stop, as is St. Geniès for its <i>toits de lauze</i> ensemble. There is also a chapel with interesting 15th century murals (very faded).

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Michele,

Hi, I was reading this last night; saw the email site for the cave (Font du gaume) - sent an email and this morning received my reservation. It said to pay l5 days before - did you email your payment by cc? It said" French - essence" - does that mean it will be in English? Or do I need to email again for clarification.
I am wondering how to pay via email - giving the cc card no.out does not seem safe to me.
How did you handle this?

Thanks so much; the forum has been so helpful and I appreciate it!

FP

Sorry, meant dossier not essence, someone on tv said that word and I typed it! Too early for me;
anyway how can I tell if I get an English tour or is it happenstance?

FP

Hi flowerpower,
My reservation made no mention that it was an English speaking tour. I emailed my cc info to them with no problem many months in advance so I wouldn't have to worry about it. They emailed me back immediately that the payment had been made.

If I were you I would just mention again that you want to be sure it is an English tour. Ours was at 11:00 am but be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes prior as you will check in at the little building near the parking lot and then you will walk up a sort of steep path to the cave entrance where you will wait for your English guide.

They were all very nice and very appreciative that we had made reservations and not just showed up and expected to get in. The five people in front of us were turned away because there was no openings for the day...very disappointing.

It was an interesting tour. Being it was English we had a small group...only 10 of us. Very small and personal. No photography is allowed so leave the camera in the car. I believe we had to leave everything in the car so nothing would hit the sides of the cave.

Have fun,
Michele