geebee14

We are planning a September three-week car trip beginning in Avignon and visiting the Gorges du Tarn,
the Lot, the Dordogne, caves, notable villages, and so on, with no particular hurry. Would the learned posters to this site recommend hotel reservations at this time of the year or could one take a chance? I have always planned rigorously, but for once might like to be casual and spontaneous.

aliced

Gosh, we had four weeks last September, and had all the hotels by Jan/Feb. It was critical to decide where we'd be on certain days; i.e., the Lautrec Musee in Albi is closed on Tuesday I believe, wanted to be in Sarlat for a Saturday market, etc. We tweaked our days around a lot before finalizing, and had to change probably half of the hotel dates. Several of our choices were not available. We did Paris-Limoges-Bordeaux-Sarlat-Rocamadour-Albi-Toulouse-St.Remy de Provence for our overnights. Paris-Limoges-Bordeaux via train, then got car, then TGV back from Avignon to Paris. While the gorges, caves and Dordogne were fantastic, we absolutely loved the city of Bordeaux and being in the Medoc and also St. Emilion. I'd say definitely book Sarlat, simply everyone goes there, and if going to Bordeaux, book that as well. Pick hotels with generous cancellation policies obviously. Our 5th & best trip to France yet....

traveller1959

I have travelled through all regions of France 40+ times since 1978. The season will end on 28 August. On this weekend, the autoroutes will be packed as hell in south-north direction, and then things will get rather quiet.

So, you will not have difficulties finding accomodation in September. It may happen that your favourite hotel might be fully booked on a certain day, but there will be enough alternatives. If you do not find something adequate in Sarlat why not staying in nearby Domme?

Especially the motel-type chain hotels like Formule One, Campanile etc. will always have rooms available.

StCirq

I live in SW France, in the Dordogne, and would disagree with traveller1959, except that of course if you want to stay in Formule 1, Campanile, etc., which is hardly desirable for most visitors, you will find a room. In the Dordogne, you would be foolish not to book ahead. And Domme is no more pleasant in September than it is in August - it's packed, and getting to a parking space through the old town walls is still a huge pain.The markets in all towns will still be packed, the hotels full, the tour buses still clogging the roads.You would be foolish not to book rooms in the Dordogne, Lot, Provence in September. Can't speak to the Gorges du Tarn.

Whathello

After 28 of august you'll effectively have the retirees with children under school age. Not a lot of people, and these retirees usually have their own houses or appartments ! Most BnB's and hotels will remain open, however , so you'll have plenty of room.

I'd advise to reserve some exceptionnal places where you want to be - those will probably be taken - but you'll have no problem finding a hotel. You can easily book via booking.com or hotels.com on the day of arrival -will simplify matters and probably makes some savings.

Enjoy SW France !

geebee14

Thanks, Fodorites. Very helpful.