Perigueux
 

Am planning to drive from Paris through the Dordogne next April, and am wondering about overnight stops and places to see along the way. I've previously done Fontainebleu, Chartres, some Loire chateaux and bits of Burgundy, and this time plan on heading more or less due south. Places on my list to see on the way are Montresor, Angles-s-l'Anglin, St Benoit-du-Sault and Oradour-s-Glane.

Have I missed any must-sees? Which of these might make the best overnight stop?

Approaching the Dordogne itself, I want to call at St Jean-de-Cole, before eventually winding up at Sarlat (or St Leon-s-Vezere?) from where I hope to base my Dordogne day trips. There are several ways I can get there, each of which involves missing one of the following places: Nontron, Brantome, Thiviers, Perigueux, or Montignac. (Although I expect Montignac will fit into one of my day trips).

Which of these places is most missable? And again, have I left out any must-sees along the way? (Not looking for must-sees once I get there - I think I have a fair idea of those from reading previous threads on this forum).

Grateful for any help.

Nontron, Thiviers and Montignac are definitely missable, although you'll see the last one if you visit Lascaux II. Coming from the north, I would suggest going through Brantôme and Bourdeilles to Périgueux. I prefer Périgueux' Saturday market to Sarlat's because it is much less touristy, although it is getting there. St. Jean de Côle is no more than a stop for a coffee and a brief visit to the church and the old bridge. Bourdeilles has more to offer.

Thanks Michael - I'll add Bourdeilles to my itinerary.

Am now working on my day-trips within the Dordogne itself, and once I've got some sort of structure I'll submit it to this forum for comment. As I said, I've already picked up lots from this forum about the Dordogne from St Cirq and others, but every extra bit helps.

Has anyone any comments on my "stop-for-a-coffee-and-look-around" suggestions further north, esp which ones might be good overnighters?

Go see the abbey church in St. Savin, about 30 km. east of Poitiers. The ceiling frescoes are worth the detour.

I once read about someone being criticised for pronouncing it "perry-goo". So how do you pronounce it?

pay-ree-geuh (as the vowel sound in look)

twoflower:

Good advice as always from Michael. I'm just curious - Sarlat and St-Leon-sur-Vezere could not be more different. Why did you pick those two as possible bases? I love them both, but Sarlat is a big, bustling market town, and St-Leon is just a speck on the map with a beautiful chapel. Perhaps you'd like to pick something in between - like St-Cyprien or Domme or La Roque-Gageac or another mid-sized town/village. At any rate, the Dordogne will be lovely in April.