Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Sarlat - Rocamadour - Gouffre de Padirac Day Trip

Sarlat - Rocamadour - Gouffre de Padirac Day Trip

Old Jul 11th, 2012, 12:34 AM
  #21  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Carlux is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2012, 06:28 AM
  #22  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,282
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
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.
TPAYT is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2012, 06:40 AM
  #23  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,263
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 2 Posts
"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.

maitaitom is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2012, 07:00 AM
  #24  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,263
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 2 Posts
"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.

maitaitom is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2012, 09:02 AM
  #25  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
crazyfortravel is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2012, 12:55 PM
  #26  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
''"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.
Carlux is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2012, 01:01 PM
  #27  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It all sounds lovely.
Saraho is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2013, 09:47 AM
  #28  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
vijay0828 is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2013, 01:28 PM
  #29  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The view of Rocamadour from L'Hospitalet is best in the morning because of the sun. We visited in June and had no fog. Not sure about fog at other times of the year.
Digbydog is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2013, 01:39 PM
  #30  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is often fog in the area, but most commonly in early to mid-spring and mid- to late fall.
StCirq is offline  
Old Jul 29th, 2013, 05:56 PM
  #31  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks ... can the fog occur at any time of the day or is it more common in the morning?
vijay0828 is offline  
Old Jul 29th, 2013, 06:07 PM
  #32  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Morning. There are days when I wake at 7-8 am and open my windows and the fog literally rolls right into my bedroom. It burns off by about 10 am. I've never seen fog at any other time of day.
StCirq is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2013, 08:54 AM
  #33  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Digbydog is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2013, 01:20 PM
  #34  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,904
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
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.
AJPeabody is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ilsabing
Europe
19
Apr 6th, 2016 07:06 PM
browndogsf
Europe
15
Jun 21st, 2013 04:27 PM
Flem04
Europe
18
Aug 18th, 2011 01:09 AM
sap
Europe
24
Mar 26th, 2010 06:23 PM
adman1937
Europe
8
Jan 19th, 2010 07:06 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -