I am just marking this for myself and to see if there is anything else I should be aware of. The trip seems to be shaping up well. One friend and I will fly JFK-CDG- Biarritz/Bayonne and spend a few days between those cities and San Sebastian. We will probably then train to Bordeaux and (change trains/same station?) and onward to Perigeaux or possibly Sarlat with the first seeming the more likely option and the one proposed by St. Cirq. There we will pick up one of our two cars and proceed to Domme where the other members of the group may or may not be waiting.

Two members of our group will arrive in Bordeaux and spend a few nights, perhaps at either the Ste. Catherine, the Etche-Ona, or any other hotel that any of you recommend in a good and convenient area of the city. This part of our group, plus two newer arrivals, (4 ppx in all) will then rent a car in Bordeaux and drive to Domme where they will meet up with my San Sebastian partner and myself. I have appointed myself the information-gatherer and general travel assistant.

So...any further transport advice? Hotel recommendations in central Bordeaux, in a pleasant area with easy walking to shops and restaurants (and the port, if possible) in the 150-180 Euro range? I should add that I have been to Bordeaux but spent the days there lodged at a winery SE of the city near Bouillac, so am not familiar with the hotel scene. Two members of our group also would like to know where they can rent bikes and a bike rack for their rental car if such a thing is possible. They would like to bike around the Bordeaux environs for a couple of days before the Dordogne portion of the trip. Thanks to all for all of the hlep so far..