Sarlat - Rocamadour - Gouffre de Padirac Day Trip
#21
Join Date: Dec 2005
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When we aren't in the Dordogne, we often go to Cape Town during the winter, and last year went into a new museum in Stellenbosch to find some very interesting art, plus two huge tapestries by the front door. Everything else was South African, but the tapestries had a familiar look - yes, Jean Lurçat . In fact, we went to St Cere looking for the museum, which had very restricted hours at the time, and instead picnicked by the towers instead.
#22
I have been following this thread with much interest for our Sept. trip. I don't mean to hijack maitaitom's post, but I have a similar question.
We have an 11am reservation at G. de Padirac so plan on arriving about 10:30. From Sarlat, what is the best route to G. de Padirac without a stop? We thought it would be about 1-1/2 hr. drive, so leave Sarlat at 8:30-9am.
On the return go to Loubressac, Autoire, and Rocamadour.
OR
Go to Loubressac, Autoire, then go north to Carennac, Martel, and maybe Collonges la Rouge.
We like to take our time and do a lot of photos, so seeing it all in 1 day seems like it would be rushing too much.
We have an 11am reservation at G. de Padirac so plan on arriving about 10:30. From Sarlat, what is the best route to G. de Padirac without a stop? We thought it would be about 1-1/2 hr. drive, so leave Sarlat at 8:30-9am.
On the return go to Loubressac, Autoire, and Rocamadour.
OR
Go to Loubressac, Autoire, then go north to Carennac, Martel, and maybe Collonges la Rouge.
We like to take our time and do a lot of photos, so seeing it all in 1 day seems like it would be rushing too much.
#23
Original Poster
"But that's beyond even a REALLY long day."
Who needs sleep and relaxation while on vacation? I will plug St Cere into my route to see how much longer I can keep Tracy, Kim and Mary hostage on this day. It's beginning to look a lot like our five-hill-town day in Italy in 2005.
Who needs sleep and relaxation while on vacation? I will plug St Cere into my route to see how much longer I can keep Tracy, Kim and Mary hostage on this day. It's beginning to look a lot like our five-hill-town day in Italy in 2005.
#24
Original Poster
"Perhaps you already know this but try to approach Rocamadour from the south - the view is amazing."
I did not know that. Thanks. I will try and find that route, but if someone could illuminate me on this, it would be appreciated.
I did not know that. Thanks. I will try and find that route, but if someone could illuminate me on this, it would be appreciated.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Martel is not to be missed on market day but would likely give it a miss if it's not market day.
We stayed in Loubressac and found it to be charming with a lovely view. Autoire and Loubressac are very compact. In Autoire the waterfall and the cirque d'Autoire, an impressive 30 metre high cascade will be of interest. It's a bit of a trek in so we passed on it and wished we hadn't.
We found the Omelettes at the Creperie in Carennac lacked any flavour and the Cepes were kind of slimey...we should have ordered crepes.
We stayed in Loubressac and found it to be charming with a lovely view. Autoire and Loubressac are very compact. In Autoire the waterfall and the cirque d'Autoire, an impressive 30 metre high cascade will be of interest. It's a bit of a trek in so we passed on it and wished we hadn't.
We found the Omelettes at the Creperie in Carennac lacked any flavour and the Cepes were kind of slimey...we should have ordered crepes.
#26
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''"Perhaps you already know this but try to approach Rocamadour from the south - the view is amazing."
I did not know that. Thanks. I will try and find that route, but if someone could illuminate me on this, it would be appreciated.''
I would suggest rather that you approach from the North, park at l'Hospitalet - big parking area. (Coming from Sarlat, go to Souillac, follow the signs to Rocamadour, through LaCave)
Have a look at the site from above, walk down if you wish and then drive out, stopping at the restaurant Le Belvedere for a coffee and one of the best views of the site - from the south. That way you can enjoy it rather than taking the narrow road in when you should have your eyes on the road. That also puts you in the right direction for going on to Padirac or Loubressac, etc.
Not likely to happen to you at that time of year, but we do know someone who tried to take the narrow road in from the south in July one year, and spent 4 hours there. They never did manage to get anywhere near.
I did not know that. Thanks. I will try and find that route, but if someone could illuminate me on this, it would be appreciated.''
I would suggest rather that you approach from the North, park at l'Hospitalet - big parking area. (Coming from Sarlat, go to Souillac, follow the signs to Rocamadour, through LaCave)
Have a look at the site from above, walk down if you wish and then drive out, stopping at the restaurant Le Belvedere for a coffee and one of the best views of the site - from the south. That way you can enjoy it rather than taking the narrow road in when you should have your eyes on the road. That also puts you in the right direction for going on to Padirac or Loubressac, etc.
Not likely to happen to you at that time of year, but we do know someone who tried to take the narrow road in from the south in July one year, and spent 4 hours there. They never did manage to get anywhere near.
#28
Join Date: Jun 2013
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We are also planning to visit Rocamadour with a plan roughly similar to above (except we are going to Grotte de Pech Merle and not Padirac).
Question: we want to avoid the crowds and get the best view of the city. Would it be better to visit early morning (say 7am, which is sunrise on the day we are planning) or evening (say 7pm)? I read somewhere that it can be foggy in the morning, obscuring the view of the town?
Question: we want to avoid the crowds and get the best view of the city. Would it be better to visit early morning (say 7am, which is sunrise on the day we are planning) or evening (say 7pm)? I read somewhere that it can be foggy in the morning, obscuring the view of the town?
#33
Join Date: Sep 2004
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When we visited, we got to the town at about 9 am and raced down the Chemin de la Croix, saw the Black Madonna, and got the heck out before the hordes of tourists arrived. Then we headed over to L' Hospitalet to take some photos. Even if it's foggy, I would think you could visit as we did, and then take some photos around 10 if that's when the fog burns off. Unless you want more of a visit than we did.
#34
I don't know how relevant my experiece with Rocamadour is since our visit was at least 15 years ago. We arrived from the south on a late afternoon after out visit to Peche Merle (itself a true must see), and the view was impressive. We stayed overnight within Rocamadour and were quite disappointed in the quality of the souvenir shops, which appeared to involve the whole place. The hotel restaurant was good, and the view over the valley from our room was nicely enhanced by unimpeded stars and a nice view of Venus - I forget if it was a morning or evening star at the time.
Early the next morning was a revelation. We hiked to the top (there is a rudimentary stations of the cross along the route if you are so inclined) and there was a mass in progress at the top. The only souvenirs at the top of Rocamadour were religious medals and similar. The upper ramparts were virtually empty and easily explored. I don't think Rocamadour is major destination, but missing the top would be a mistake.
Early the next morning was a revelation. We hiked to the top (there is a rudimentary stations of the cross along the route if you are so inclined) and there was a mass in progress at the top. The only souvenirs at the top of Rocamadour were religious medals and similar. The upper ramparts were virtually empty and easily explored. I don't think Rocamadour is major destination, but missing the top would be a mistake.