Thanks so much for all the ideas, and keep them coming. I'm highlighting all the great sites/towns on my map, then trying to weave in the spots we'll want to dine. So excited. annieladd

Given that I too am planning a visit to the Dordogne this summer, what a wonderful post and resource! Kudos, StuDudley...I'm bookmarking.

I think that all questions directed to me had been answered previously.
I agree in general with all the suggestions: Hautefort, Domme, St Léon sur Vezère, la Roque Saint Cristophe,...

Stu I would like to thank you for all this wonderful info; it will help me during my week there next October. I was surprised that no one mentioned a great place we found on my previous visit: Moulin de Martel (Ferme Auberge Moulin a Huile de Noix). this is a working walnut oil mill outside Martel where you can have a set lunch for very few Euro and then watch the presssing of the walnut oil. This may not be in anyone else's top 10 but it is a great way to spend lunch and part of an afternoon.You need to reserve in advance of your visit.

bkmk

Does anyone have anything to add after several years to reflect?

Sure, the Secret Door on the path from St-Léon-sur-Vézère up into the hills, but that's all I'm sayin'.....

St Cirq--I wish you would be there when we are--that would be so much fun to meet you and have you impart some of your Dordogne information and stories on us in person! I think I read that you will be there in August and we will be there in June...

Well, wren, you need to plan better

If you want more restaurants I can recommend this one, near Montignac. St. Cirq recommended it to me and I had an excellent lunch there on a drive through the area in 2007:

http://tableduterroir.com/restaurant.htm

There are many more restaurant comments in this report I wrote after a week-long stay in Domme in 2006:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...paris-1006.cfm

ekscrunchy--did you walk around Martel? What did you think of the town? I noticed you recommended the walnut mill there.

Martel is known as the town of seven towers. It's a delightful, bustling little place, not as "pretty" as some in the Périgord Noir, but a "real" town, much like Le Bugue.

Sounds nice, Mellen...not sure it is worth a special trip, if we are not planning to head to Rocamadour,but otherwise, we might go there.

There's lots of neat stuff around Martel - east of A20

to the east of Martel:
Carennac
Autoire
Loubressac
Gouffre de Padirac
St Cere
Montal Chateau
Castelnau-Bretenoux Chateau
Beaulieu sur Dordogne

to the north:
Collonges la Rouge
Turenne
Meyssac

to the south
Grottes de Lacave
La Treyne
Rocamadour

Stu Dudley

Stu, We have been to a couple of those sites (Padirac & Rocamadour) but would you make a one night trip from the Dordogne to see the others?

Yep - that's what we did, and I always suggest the same to others.

Stu Dudley

I appreciate your input--we might just do that!

I know you will be there at exactly the same time as we are--we really should try to meet up! Are you still game?

We have friends joining us from June 16 through the 25th, but outside of those dates, getting together would be fine. Curiousabout will be there from the 14th to the 19th, perhaps we could work on a GTG.

Stu Dudley

I took Stu's (and others) recommendation and stayed and ate at L’Espanade in Domme.

The restaurant is really noteworthy. Both our dinners there were just outstanding. From foie gras appetizer to langoustine ravioli to incredible desserts, you can not go wrong eating at this wonderful restaurant. The service is first class as well. The wine list was average to good.

We also stayed at the hotel. Room 15 the only room with a balcony overlooking the valley. Waking up opening the doors and watching the early morning fog burn off and expose the beautiful landscape (along with a good glass of champagne, of course, was and is memorable!!)

We found Domme a great base for our day trips to most of the places highlighted by Stu Dudley in various threads on this board.

(Stu you do nice work! Thank you!)

Thanks, Master

Sounds like Barbara Eden in "I Dream of Jeanie"

Stu Dudley