Can one travel by train from Paris to Perigeux or Limoges? I would then want to rent a car to get to Brantome. Any idea of the travel time? Any train site for info?

You can travel by train to any town that has a train station (both of those towns do, assuming you mean Perigueux). the French RR web site is www.sncf.com where you can check prices and schedules.

Thanks Christina, that is a big help.

Ronkala:<BR><BR>There are a couple of ways to get to P&eacute;rigueux (if you use the SNCF website, which you should, be sure to spell it right or you won't get any info)from Paris. You can take the regular train from the Gare d'Austerlitz through Limoges (sometimes it just stops for about 10 minutes; sometimes you have to change to the next track), or you can take a TGV fromthe Gare Montparnase to Bordeaux or Libourne and then the regular train to P&eacute;rigueux. Either way, the journey takes about 5 hours.

Brant&ocirc;me is about half way between Limoges and P&eacute;rigueux, but if you come from the latter, stop in Bourdeilles and visit the castle. Limoges has a big porcelain museum that is worth a visit if you like porcelain. You'll also see factory outlets on the way to Brant&ocirc;me.

We were in the area in 2000, part of a three week driving trip through France that took us through Normandy down to Millau and then back up and over to Alsace. The highlight was spending our 40th anniversary at the Chabrol Hotel in Brantome. ( What a fantastic dinner we had there.) I'm now starting to plan for our 45th, again spending it in Brantome, only this time I do not want to do a lot of driving. Thankyou very much for your help, I do appreciate it.

I would recommend travelling by TGV from Paris to Angouleme and renting a car in Angouleme. Although Perigueux is closer by car to Brantome, it is more difficult and longer to get to by train than is Angouleme. Also, you can catch the TGV down to Angouleme at Charles de Gaulle airport if that fits with your scheudule, rather than &quot;having&quot; to go into the city. Ditto on Bourdeilles.

Thanks smb2, your suggestion sounds the most convenient. Looking at the Michelin tourist and traveling Atlas, the car part of the trip doesn't appear to more than 50-60 miles. <BR> Incidently, the Atlas was a blessing during the lst trip.