Les Granges Hautes is a good choice.

But practically even the smallest commune in the Dordogne will have its own website these days, so instead of contacting rental agencies you might start googling (use the French site) the commune websites, like this, e.g.:

http://www.stgenies.org/

Look in Petites Annonces or hébergement, or wherever else looks promising.

You could also look in the petites annonces for Le Sudouest.

Ww're in Vancouver and we've found flying into Toulouse and
picking up a car the least painful way to access that area.
Bordeaux is too far west for my comfort after a long flight.

We've also rented in the Lot et Garonne - again, a wonderful
area and in not over-crowded.

Thanks imimimi. The flights from Vancouver are a real challenge, especially when flying on points! I will look into Toulouse. The problem when I last checked is that flights arrive after 6:30 pm. We would either have to overnight in Toulouse or drive the 2 1/2 hours and try to locate our property in the dark. Probably not hte best option after flying for many hours.

Another option is to use our points to Paris and then pick up an Air France flight to Bordeaux at our own expense. I think that means we would have to clear customs and possibly change terminals at CDG- I am not sure. There is a connection with a three hour layover so it should be possible. My husband would rather fly than take the train. (I already suggested that as an option!)

St Cirq's advice has been very helpful. I have looked at the websites for each individual village suggested and related links, with varying degrees of success. The issue is internet/WIFI-something essential for us, as well as accommodation that will permit us to walk to and from a village, especially after a nice dinner with wine.

I am still looking but am considering the following locations: Brantome (just because it is new and nicely located, though probably further north than we want to be), St Cyprian (I know Michael says St Cyprian does not do it for him, but the property is on the outskirts of a nearby village-not in St Cyprian proper), Rouffignac (I know nothing about this location but the property is beautiful), Tayak within a 10 minute walk of Eyzies, and the last is a small gite on the outskirts of Montignac-also beautiful.

All of these properties have pools-not something we require, but nice if useable in the first couple of weeks in may (I have my doubts!)

I welcome any comments from all you Dordogne experts.

Rouffignac has a nice cave a couple km. out of town, but it is isolated compared to villages closer to the Dordogne river, and it is quite small. Montignac is better because the town is larger (more services and restaurants)--and it happens to be close to Lascaux.

Hi Pirouette, the reality is that to see a good range of rental options in these areas, you will really need to trawl through the english-speaking sites, because as someone said earlier - most of the gites are owned offhsore these days!! I still recommend Tremolat, Monpazier or St Cyprien. Practically everywhere in the Dordogne needs a car to access, so you just plan lovely daytrips to the different spots. And Monpazier is close to Toulouse airport (and the wineries of the Monbazillac & Bergerac appelations). Apart from big listing sites like Homeaway or Holiday-Lettings, have you come across smaller sites like France This Way, or Dordogne Homes?

I think rosemary's advice is totally off-base. You absolutely do not need to trawl through English-speaking sites - in fact, they will set you off in totally the wrong directions, as there are plenty of French people out there who do not speak English who are interested in renting their properties. I gave you a lot of info about how to find them.

Monpazier is nowhere near the Toulouse airport - I don't know what she's talking about.

Pirouette, if wifi is an issue for you, just get a Clé-G, purchasable from any French cell phone company. It gives you wifi access from anywhere, for a price. Go to the nearest cellphone store and ask about it.

Just bookmarking as there are some great tips and suggestions! Would love to know what you ended up doing/staying

Those of us who speak more than one language are at a distinct advantage when it comes to selecting appropriate accommodation. That being said, I still appreciate the input of those who trawl though english langauge sites.

There are small diffences that I have noticed when renting in Europe generally: sheets and towels are not always included and sometimes utilities are extra. This is not a problem if one knows to ask, but in North America, such items are most often included. We have also come across differing levels of included household staples: salt , pepper, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilette paper: some properties have nothing, others are well equipped: these observations come from our numerous rentals in Canada, the continenatal US and Hawaii,Mexico, Italy, UK, France and Portugal. There appear to be different practices in different countries and the nationality of the owner is sometimes a factor. It is what makes travel interesting!

Many have tossed out some information, including Carlux. She has some lovely places that you could ask her about. Might be just what you are looking for.

a bientot...

Joan

Pirouette, the reality is that thousands of gites across France are now owned by ex-pats. As someone posted earlier, nothing wrong with that - it's kept many small French villages alive. No point railing against the listing websites being 'touristy' either - it's a really good way to get a handle on your accom options, and they certainly won't send you in the wrong direction. Gites are listed from all over - you just need to narrow down your priorities. And thousands use them to plan holidays very happily every year! By all means visit those other sites St Cirq is suggesting, but they are not always useful if you don't speak French. In terms of Monpazier's proximity to Toulouse airport, I know from personal experience that's it's a hasslefree 2 hour or so drive from Blagnac, as the D660 is rarely too busy, making it close in comparison to other places like Sarlat, St Cyprien or Brantome. That's what I meant by 'close'. Monpazier is about 2 hours 20 mins drive from Bordeaux Airport, which I've also driven regularly. So either airport could be an option for you depending on flights. In terms of wi-fi, almost any well set-up gite offers wi-fi/internet access and satellite TV channels as standard these days, as they are very much in demand by tourists. Only the most basic, budget gites won't offer that. So you don't need to go to the expense or hassle of purchasing anything for wi-fi if you choose the right gite. In terms of choosing the appropriate village, I go back to my first comment: how 'chilled' are you hoping to be? The Perigord Vert is much quieter than Perigord Noir for example, but maybe that's what you prefer?

Thank you fellow Fodorites. I have spent the last week re-considering all your suggestions and I have also spent many hours on many websites and Google Maps (VERY useful). We have also confirmed our flights in and out of Toulouse (thanks immimi). We arrive at 17:25 so by the time we collect our luggage and pick up our rental car, we will have quite a late start on our drive to any property. DH is a fearless navigator and has done a lot of driving in France. In May the days should be longer, but it will still be dusk by the time we arrive.

I have decided that we would prefer to be closer to Sarlat, though not necessarily in the town proper. Our first option is La Maison Secrete which is right outside and we could walk everywhere. The owner says there is free parking across the street. (confirmed on Google Maps) The unit is lovely and close to everything Sarlat has to offer, but I am a little concerned about the busy aspect of the area.

The remaining options are all within walking distance of small villages. Les Granges Hautes near St. Crepin offers a converted barn (thanks Suzanne). There is a gite near Vitrac: La Tabatiere, close to canoeing and cycling. Another option is Le Petit Moulin near Proissans: the property is way too big for two (it is supposed to accommodate 4/6) but the owner has offered it at the same price point as everything else we are considering, and it is a beautiful gite. The remaining two options are near St. Pompont, a ten minute walk into town. They are both owned by the same couple and they look very romantic.

All the owners have been helpful and responsive. I regret that we can only choose one property. Is there anything to favour one location over another? Again, you input is appreciated.

Here are two listings that I am personally familiar with -- one in the heights of St. Cyprien, the other in a tiny medieval village (Baran) in the woods just a few km from St. Cyprien or Meyrals. Both are owned by Americans, and will have amenities to your taste -- the first is a Studio apartment on one level of a house that is occupied part-time by an avid cyclist who can tell you all the great routes in the area; the second is the most "authentic" and rustic, with an ancient pise floor, stone sink, small rooms, but utterly charming, peaceful, and in a beautiful setting - and in great biking country. I believe both have WiFi, but read the descriptions for yourself. As I say, I have spent time in both properties, and do not hesitate in recommending them for their excellent locations. The St. Cyprien Studio allows you to walk down into the village for cafes, groceries, market, etc. (and then hike back up to the house with your groceries!); the Baran house will require you drive a couple kilometers for shopping and restos.
1. http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/reviews/p906825
2. http://www.vrbo.com/139971

Regarding La Maison Secrete, it is IN town, between the police station (a reasonably attractive building) and a parking lot. The thing that would concern me about this location is that in the back of the parking lot someone started a development several years ago, and never finished it. Mostly there is an area dug away, with a telephone or electricity pole up in the air, which no one ever took the responsibility of moving. So it's still there. That said, you could ignore it, and concentrate on what the town has to offer. If you are interested in cycling and exploring the countryside, it might not be the best choice. If you want to wander out to restaurants and cafes in the evening, then it would be a better choice.

(By the way gracejoan mentioned that I managed several properties, but in fact I don't - now enjoying retirement)

That explains the large empty lot on the satellite image. i thought it looked a little odd!

bookmarking for the useful tips!

Hi Carlux,

Glad to hear you are enjoying retirement. I am sure that many will miss your listings!!

Joan

Well, I thought I would miss the property managment too, but one of our owners in Sarlat sold the house, the other wants to spend 6 months in France, once their house in the US is sold, another moved - and we stopped renting our own property. It all came together just as I was ready to stop. We are currently in Cape Town for the winter, enjoying sun, the beautiful blue ocean, and lots of good wine)

Well, after much research, we have made a choice. I followed up with every suggestion offered by those that have responded. Some of the properties suggested were not available on our dates or were not suitable for other reasons.

We will be based in St Pompon (the gite is 10 minutes walk from town, which give a nice combination of village and rural.) I paid the deposit this morning: $50 in fees for a wire transfer! We will have to find a better way for payment of the balance.

Good choice. I know an American couple who bought a house there some years ago. Forget the name of the main restaurant in town, but it's really good.

Don't send wire transfers. Get an international draft in euros and mail it. It should cosst $5-$10.

Thanks for the tip St-Cirq. I nearly fell off my chair this morning when I received the e-mail from my bank!

We are renting from a British couple and the gite has very positive reviews from all nationalities: a good sign!