bil

We are able to stay in Montignac (or Sarlat) for one night only in October. We are coming from Bordeaux (about 2 hours?) and will be going to Loire Valley the next day (4-5 hours).

Is it possible to visit the Font du Gaume caves on the morning we arrive (if we leave Bordeaux early)?

How long does it take to visit this cave?

Would we be able to visit Lascaux II the next morning before we leave (how long does it take)?

Or shoud we cut short our 3 days in Bordeaux to 2 days and spend 2 nights in Montignac?

We would be very grateful for any tips regards this plan please as we are a bit confused with the possibilities!


Thank you

MArgaret

kawh

As I remember it, the caves take about an hour (or a little more) to visit. It is a little walk out to the caves from the office/shop. The tricky part will be getting a reservation, as they don't always answer their phone. (well- this was 4 years ago... maybe there's a better system now.) if you find this to be the case, your hotel person may be able to assist you. (that's how we got ours... our b&b owner knew the drill.)
don't miss Font du Gaume. They may not be open forever and are so very moving!

Carlux

The difficulty with Font de Gaume will be getting reservations. They now allow about 95 people per day, and keep about 30 tickets for sale first come/first served on the day. If you do want to reserve at Font de Gaume you should do it by email to [email protected]. Last week I got a response that they were booked until September.

If you phone, you get a recording that basically gives opening times, and email address. They don't see interested in phone reservations any more, and of course email is easier.

The Lascaux visit is 20 minutes.

Have a look at the other recent thread on Dordogne caves.

StCirq

That's a fair bit of a trek in a car for one night in the Dordogne and one cave. Personally, I'd just get on the TGV in Bordeaux and go to the Loire (Tours) and save the Dordogne and all its glories for another trip.

But if you must do it, and you're staying in Montignac, why not see Lascaux II since it's right there? Driving from Montignac back to Les Eyzies to see Font-de-Gaume will take about 40 minutes even if the roads aren't crowded - it's a very hilly tortuous road...and then you need to head north again, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

FdG visits take about an hour. As mentioned, you may have problems getting tickets. It might be easier to get tickets to Les Combarelles, but I can't be sure about that.

bil

Thank you so much for your responses and suggestions. In view of your comments...and the fact that we would dearly love to see the Font du Gaume, we wondered what people of thought of the following change in our schedule.

Instead of staying 3 nights in Bordeaux and one night in Montignac....how would it be if we had 2 nights in Bordeaux and 2 nights in Montignac....thus allowing one full day to get to FdG early (if we have problems reserving online) for tickets? And perhaps seeeing Lascaux II as well?

Please tell us what you think of this plan!

MArgaret

StCirq

Why would you want even two nights in Bordeaux?

kawh

i think it is a good plan. however, as i hinted at above, the reservations and tickets there seem to be given out in some sort of willy-nilly way. i really got the feeling that if they like you or the person who calls for you, you will get in. otherwise, maybe not. so... just know that it may not happen... but if you give yourself that extra day-- your chances will be better. it's worth the risk, in my opinion. but it is a gamble.

kawh

p.s. -- be sure to post here after your trip. would love to know how it works out-- as would future visitors!

bil

OK!

Thanks StCirq...we have taken on board your suggestions and wondered about scrapping Bordeaux altogether. That way we can spend 4 nights in Sarlat (or Montignac?)

We realise that this is insufficient time to do the region justice....but hope to return for a much longer period possibly next year. This time we hope to visit the caves and perhaps experience a tiny bit of the area?


What do you think of this possibility?

Many thanks....we really do appreciate your help.