jpie

I totally agree with shelemm about skipping Nice if you can. If you really want to visit the Dordogne, you would be better to end the trip in Bordeaux and either fly from there or take the train from there directly back to CDG for your flight. If you are locked into a flight out of Nice then I would be more tempted to skip the Dordogne, go more directly to the south and then pick up a car and explore the Cote d’Azur instead with the time you have. IMO, I don't think Carcasonne (La Cité area with the castle) is worth an overnight stop, although the village itself isn't bad if it makes sense as a place to break the drive.

kerouac

Well, you already know that your trip is very short in terms of covering half of the country. If you rent a car, I would suggest to just wing it instead of obsessing about specific sights. There are so many along the way that you can rarely go wrong but the ones you miss will just give you the impetus to return for more trips. I have nothing against Nice, but if you can devote a bit of time to Marseille, that would be brilliant.

annhig

When our kids were around the age of your son we spent a week near Sarlat seeing all the sights like Lascaux [it was Lascaux II then], several castles etc but perhaps the highlight of the trip was the Gouffre de Padirac where you descend underground via a very long series of stairs, then do an underground boat trip on a river and end up in the most amazing caverns. A lift brings you back up to ground level again. You could perhaps combine it with a visit to Rocamadour which is also pretty special. We also enjoyed the troglodyte settlement at St Roque Christophe and area around La Roque-Gageac a lot.

https://www.northofthedordogne.com/laroquegageac.php

Honestly I think that your 10 year old son would enjoy those sorts of experiences a great deal more than any number of Paris museums. That's what I would concentrate on.

Underhill

I second the recommendation for the Gouffre de Padirac. That was one of our most memorable cave adventures, the other being the Aven d'Orgnac.

twoweeksoff

Thanks, all. This has been extremely helpful. Any recommendations on where to stay in Dordogne? I’m sure i can find another string, but while i have you folks…

jpie

We have stayed in a number of places in Sarlat we liked:

This place is a small more like B&B property with three small cottages on the property. There is free parking not too far away. The location is right in town very near the center so once you are parked you can walk everywhere. If you google the name you can book it on many booking sites like booking.com:

Sarlat Côté Jardin
+33 6 03 11 52 96
13 Rue du Collège, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda, France

This is a traditional hotel slightly out of town-you can walk down but it is steep on the way back. But we can almost always find a spot to park near the center of Sarlat but not sure about August. It is really nice and calm and the big draw there is they have a lovely pool which would be nice that time of year. Again you can book with the major booking sites or directly with them on their website

Hôtel Le Mas del Pechs
10 Rte des Pechs, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda, France
+33 5 53 31 12 11
https://www.sarlat-hotel.com/

lf you want a hotel with a pool in town we have also stayed here. It is a good property but they do not have parking so you will have to park on the street nearby and you can book directly or on booking sites.

Hotel Le Renoir
Rue de l'Abbe Surgie, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda, France
+33553593598
http://www.hotel-renoir-sarlat.com/fr/accueil/

plambers

totally agree. we spent 3 week in france with our teens a few years ago. week in paris, week in dordogne and week in luberon valley. loved dordogne-castles with catapults, canoe rides, roque st christophe, markets etc. we ran out of days!

Fleur_de_Lis

Just wanted to chime in to tell everyone to stop pooh-poohing their desire to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Sure, there are other views that are (maybe) just as good, but if they want to experience going up the Tour, let them! I went for the first (and only) time as a teen and it was an incredible experience. I bet their son will just love being able to say he did it!

PS If OP is also looking for another good view IN ADDITION to the Tour Eiffel, I recommend trying the Montparnasse tower, which also has incredible views (and usually no wait to get up, although you do need a ticket.)

shelemm

a I don't believe anyone on this thread has the power to stop the OP or has the ability to give the OP permission to go up the Eiffel Tower. I offer my travel advice. And I stand by my statement. Having done so myself, I believe their son would love climbing up the winding stone staircase of Sacre Coeur and clambering on the rooftop and seeing the magnificent old basilica in front of him and seeing the Eiffel Tower in the distance. It's more majestic that way.

mjs

I too would skip the Cote in August and concentrate on Paris and the Dordogne. Take the train to Bordeaux, rent a car and stay in or near Sarlat. Fly home from Bordeaux which itself is worth a full day.

starrs

I agree.

The best way to skip the line completely? Make reservations for lunch and EAT in the ET. Amazing! Expensive but definitely "worth it".

If someone wants to go up in the icon of Paris on their first trip, it's the perfect use of their time on their first trip. They may never go back on their 2nd through 20th trips, but they will never forget that first trip.

bumper

I have traveled throughout France and if I had to choose a favorite region, it would be the Dordogne. From Pech Merle to Rocamadour to Beynac-et-Cazenac and Domme to a boat ride down the Dordogne and all the beautiful villages, it’s charm is unbeatable. I stayed five nights in a wonderful bed and breakfast in Sarlat and hired a guide for five days. I also took a balloon flight over the Dordogne, which was wonderful. I wish I could have stayed longer. I take friends to Paris almost every year and we always go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Are there better views? Perhaps, but going to the top of the Eiffel Tower is an experience your son will remember for the rest of his life. I like Nice, but I would agree with those who have suggested going to the hill towns above Nice, instead. Eze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Gourdon are my favorites. Have a wonderful time!

lrice

11 nights is a fantastic amount of time. What a lucky son!

Yes, I’d go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It is something a 10-year old will never forget! That combined with the sporting event would be a dream come true for my kids when they were that age.

I have not been to the Dordogne but we took our kids to Villefranche, Eze, Monaco and Cagnes sur Mer when they were that age. They loved it! Touring a palace, climbing a medieval village, shopping a market — all wonderful!

I agree with others here that it is a lot of ground to cover but possible!