I'm planning an 18-day trip, in and out of Paris, with 6 nights each in Dordogne, Provence, and Burgundy. I'm trying to get myself from Paris to Brive to begin the first leg of my trip. Any suggestions?

I'm not sure what your question is about. Transportation options? Hotels? Food? Things to do in the area?

If your question is how to get to Brive from Paris, the easiest way is by train.
See http://www.voyages-sncf.com/leisure/fr/launch/home/ Enter Paris as Depart and Brive as Destination.

However I think that you will spend too much time travelling going to three different regions, and would suggest that you cut back.

I should have been more clear with my question. What is the fastest/easiest way to travel from Paris to Brive? I have inns, plans, taken care of. I saw that Brive has a small airport, but wasn't sure if I could fly from Paris into it. Thanks.

You can find information about flights to Brive on http://www.airlinair.com/pages/reser...tions_solo.php

Note that the original price they quote is without taxes, and so you will need to get to the reservation stage to get the full price.

Apart from price comparisons, you obviously need to think about getting to Orly airport for the plane, versus Gare d'Austerlitz for the train. Austerlitz is in the centre of Paris, easier to get to if you are already in Paris. The same thing at the other end. The train station has a number of car rental agencies right outside the door - one (some?) have offices at the airport, but this is a VERY small airport.

Are you picking up your car in Brive? If so, where does your car rental agency have its office?

I was planning to pick up a car in Brive. Haven't made the reservations yet since my trip is June 07. Is one agency preferable over another? Thanks for the flight info.

I once flew from Orly to Brive with Air France.

Take the train. I checked a random date about a month from now, and there are plenty of Prem's fares available for 20 euros. The train trip takes 3 hours with no security hassles or airport transfer complications.

Thanks for the train suggestion! Sometimes ground travel is the better way to go. Did you check the time/rate on the link posted earlier? And how far in advance do you think I should purchase train tix? Again, thanks for the help!

One more question...How do you suggest I get from CDG to the necessary train station? How far is it?

Forgot to say there is a direct bus from CDG to Orly, so IMO flying is easier.

We flew on Air Linair from Orly to Brive 2 years ago. It was an easy flight. At that time there was a Hertz office right in the airport which made things very simple. Good luck.

thanks michaelmarcia! Did you fly into Orly or did you transfer from CDG. If so, how far between airports? I'm flying into CDG.

Most SNCF fares are bookable 3 months before travel. The resident experts here can give you all the details (MorganB, etc.) but if you book more than a month ahead of time, no problem booking a fare for 20 euros.

For other people reading this, you might be interested in knowing that the SNCF is having a special TGV anniversary sale on September 21st and will sell 50,000 TGV tickets for 5 euros each.

I second the train idea. From Paris to Orleans, the train speeds at 125 mph thorugh bring corn fields, but after Châteauroux, the scenery is extremely pleasant.

We were staying in Paris and took a cab to Orly from the hotel. The flight time to Brive was about 1hour and 20 minutes. Hertz is right at the terminal[which is about the size of your living room].

Thanks for all the good information. The train sounds lovely, but a short flight sounds appealing, too. At least now I have all the information to make a decision for next year.