gracejoan

I am just beginning my trip planning for next year!
I have really not decided on WHERE to rent!! I have found many lovely spots, but need to make more decisions...the Dordogne, Lot Valley, Pyrenees etc. I like to rent in one convenient location and do my sight-seeing from that spot. I really don't do any cooking, so need the convenience of some close-by nice rrestaurants etc.

I have stayed at the Ch. Mercues and Ch. Castel Novel and been to Brantome, Sarlat,s Cordes etc...which does not mean that I would not want to go to the areas again..that was staying in the hotels..now I will rent a place and go from there..the area is large..from Bordeaux to Montpelier and roughly Limoges to the Spanish border..can't do all that in a 2 week or so trip!! Soooo, I have to decide where!!!

Any help, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I do have all the Michelin maps etc. for the areas. Have just ordered some Hatchett guides that have been mentioned, along with another on the "Most Beautiful Towns in the Dordogne".

I always do my homework..have checked airport possibilities for various areas..they are doable.

Will look forward to respones, especially from those who live there or who know all the areas well.

Thanks,

Joan

StuDudley

We've spent about 10 weeks vacationing throughtout that region within the last few years - plus 4 weeks in the Dordogne. Earlier this year I put together and "itinerary" for touring the Languedoc. It describes my favorite drives, villages, sites, etc. Also included are restaurant descriptions from my wife's diary. E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy. I also have a Dordogne itinerary.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

gracejoan:

I really don't think you will find it convenient to rent one place for two weeks and get to see all those areas you mention on day trips. And it's not very cost-effective to leave a rental place for 2-3 nights to stay in hotels elsewhere. So I'd suggest two one-week rentals.

Obviously, I'm partial to the Dordogne, because I think you can easily spend weeks there without tiring of all it has to offer. But that's true in great part of the Languedoc-Roussillon area, too, though it's to my eye quite as geographically pleasing.
The area around Limoges does not appeal to me, but of course that's just me. I certainly wouldn't do a week's rental there. In fact, I wouldn't even do a weeks' rental in the northern Dordogne.
The Pyrénnées are spectacular. If I went that route, though, I'd want to be close enough to visit Bayonne, Biarritz, and St-Jean-de-Luz, ,i.e., within reach of the coast.
So my general advice would be pick two areas and do two rentals.

travginny

Hi Grace,

I support StCirq's advice. Last September, we rented a gîte in the Dordogne for a week, and another one in Uzès for a week.

This coming September, we will spend one week in Lagrasse (l'un des plus beaux villages de France) and another week near Montpellier.

We love the Southwestern part of France and by renting in two areas, we get to see and experience a lot more.

I suggest you first determine what regions you want to visit. Find a base in each and spend a week in these areas.

Hope this helps.

Ginny

StuDudley

I think I sent you my itinerary.

Anyway, we've stayed in Gites:

-4 weeks in the Dordogne near Domme
-2 weeks in Quercy near Caussade
-2 weeks in the Lot near Espalion
-2 weeks in Pays Basque near St Jean Pied du Port
-2 weeks in the Roussillon region near Ceret
-2 weeks just northwest of Uzes
-1 week at the base of the Cevennes near Ganges
-1 week near Lamalou just west of Montpellier

If you eliminate the Uzes place since that might not be consideres SW france, I think you get "more bang for the buck" in
1. Dordogne
2. The Lot location near Espalion.

We're going back for weeks 5-8 this fall in the Dordogne, and plan to return to the Lot region next year. We never ran out of fantastic things to do while in either of these places. My next choice would probably be a tie between the Pays Basque area & Roussillon. The Pays Basque area, however, is a little more spread out & you might do more driving. In 1 week, however, you can certainly do all the "close in" things without a lot of driving.

Stu Dudley

gracejoan

Thanks for all the advice so far. I will look for your info, Stu. My e-mail address is [email protected]

I have thought about the Pyrenees...It is a big area!! Yes, the coastal area closer to Biarritz is probably the best..what about some of the other Pyrenees areas? What about the Cordes-sur-Ciel area?

When I mentioned Limoges, it was only for using places for the general size of the area. Agreed, I would not want that area.

I ordered the Hatchett guide and another from Amazon. I also picked up something that I had not seen before at Barnes & Noble..a MICHELIN guide called 1000 Charming Hotels and Guesthouses...France. I didn't know that Michelin had gotten into that. A section with some "starred" eating places. I have looked at some places..some are hotel rated 2 stars, some 3 stars and others unrated. Many have websites or can be googled. I'm thinking maybe I should do 3 weeks!! The flights have become so miserable that you might as well stay longer after doing it!!

Thanks for the advice..I will await more and will ask for more....

Joan

sheila

I think people often misunderstand how big the "South West of France" is.

I would heartily agree with those who suggest you need two bases.

If it were me I'd pick one in the Lot and one in the Biarritz, St Jean de Luz or somewhere like that, but then I'm not a huge fan of the Dordogne, unlike St Cirq.

Whilst I think the Pyrenees are stunning, there are very few very pretty villages there or thereabouts, and asa consequence I'd aim, were I you for somthing a bit north of the foothills.



There are IMHO

gracejoan

Yes, the SW is a VERY larg area. I don't try to overdo. I like to have relaxed, unhurried days..not exhausted at days end!! I usually get to know the surrounding area where I locate. It looks like my choices might be to lcate in 2 different areas, lengthen my trip, too and there will always be more trips. The flights are becoming so miserable that longer stays sound better!! I did notice thatthe 2 locations have often been very different from one another.

The Pyrenees...is it more the Atlantic coastal areas to see or are some of the central and western areas also good areas??

gracejoan

I just want all on this board to know that I have received a volume of information from Stu Dudley about this trip. That is what is so great about these forums, the sharing of information, which is great for all!!

I have much to mull over and decisions to make. Actually half the fun is in the planning of these things.

Many thanks Stu..

Joan

gracejoan

I think I have decided on the areas..Dordogne/Lot with some Languedoc/Russillon. Probably fly in/out of Toulouse and be in the Sarlat area..have found some very nice rentals in the area. Then I will head south to not exactly sure where..have looked a a very lovely spot slightly NE of Carcassonne..that could give me a good deal of sight-seeing from that location..still looking and very open to suggestions.

cigalechanta

Hi, Grace, Happy to see you taking another trip. Cordes is lovely. Should you visit, there's dining under the spreading chestnut trees at the top of that main street.

gracejoan

I am all set for September of this year, so I am now working on next year. That's what this is all about. To use your FF points you have to make your reservations 330 days out to get seats!!!

humanone

I too have many thanks to Stu Dudley. And a series of questions for everyone, which should be a help to gracejoan as well. 1-where can I get a map of the Dordogne area that takes in the whole from Bordeaux to Perigeux/Tulle and Montalban to the south east. Michelin maps break up the area into parts, so it is hard to see the whole area at once. 2-I have 4 nights between the Dordogne and Bordeaux. where shall I spend them? (lets say between St. Cyprien and the Bordeaux airport) 3- anyone going to the Dordogne would enjoy reading Timeline (I think its Michael Chrighton) or at least see the mediocre movie. The action takes place on the Dordogne during the hundred years war, between the two castles, English VS French at Castelnaud and Roc Gagnac.

StuDudley

>>1-where can I get a map of the Dordogne area that takes in the whole from Bordeaux to Perigeux/Tulle and Montalban to the south east. Michelin maps break up the area into parts, so it is hard to see the whole area at once.<<<

If the new 500 series large maps on a scale of 1/200,000 cover the same area as the older 200 series maps, the Perigord region gets cut in half just above Sarlat - no good. The IGN maps cut up the region into about 4 pieces and these maps are not nearly as clear & useful as the Michelin maps. Get the 329 & 337 & use scotch tape.

>> 2-I have 4 nights between the Dordogne and Bordeaux. where shall I spend them? (lets say between St. Cyprien and the Bordeaux airport)<<<

Every time I go there via Bordeaux, I try to find something in that area also - never have. We're going for 4 weeks in Sept & landing in Bordeaux & first night in St Emilion (pland lands at 4pm). Then on to the Dordogne. Bergerac is OK and there are some nice castles just south of there (see the Michelin Green Guide), but not enough to keep you busy for 4 days. I would just add the days to the Dordogne. Go to Brantome and stay there for 3 days and explore that area including Perigueux. That way you won't have to drive the 1+ hr or so to see it from Sarlat, if that's where you are staying. You have read my Languedoc itinerary (I think) & practically all the neat stuff I've discovered is east of St Cyprien, except for much further south in the Pays Basque area. You could go to La Rochelle (never been there - plan to visit on an overnight from our gite in the Dordogne).

Stu Dudley

cigalechanta

I love La Rochele. Be sure to visit Noirmoutier-en-l'ille

gracejoan

humanone,

I have all the separate maps, too plus a big "Motoring Atlas" that has an index!! I wanted one showing the whole area, so I bought the Michelin #721 France at Barnes & Noble the other day. It does help to see it all! It does not have all the small towns that my Atlas has, though.

gracejoan

I have rented the nicest place in Carlux from 9/30/06 - 10/14/06!! That part is done. I will fly in and out of Toulouse. I then plan on another week which I think I will spend in 2 - 3 hotels starting around Perpignan or north of there and on eastward into the Pyrenees and back to Toulouse. I may try for a reservation at El Bulli near Roses, Spain..along with the other 5,000 annual trys for a reservation at the acknowledged to be, best restaurant in the world!!

Im's still looking at places in the south..any suggestions will be welcomed!!

RonZ

Ever been to St Jean de Luz?

gracejoan

St. Jean de Luz will have to be another trip. Too far away to include in this one. Do not like to try to cover too much territory. St. Jean de Luz, the Basque country will definitely be another trip.