kim08

Has anyone traveled by train from Lyon to Limoges? Would you recommend it?

analogue

If there is a direct train, why not?

kim08

I think it's direct, although a long trip. Seems like the scenery should be just as good as it would be traveling by car. We will pick up a car in Limoges and meander through the villages in the Dordogne. Just don't feel like driving all the way from Lyon!

GeoffHamer

There is one through train a day - at lunchtime from Lyon, with a journey time of five hours. I'd take a picnic and sit back to enjoy it.

kim08

Yes, thank you. I see that at raileurope.com.

StCirq

I wouldn't BOOK it on raileurope.com, though, unless you want to pay more than you need to. Book it through the SNCF or buy it when you get there.

Michael

The scenery is not as good as going by car because on can cross the Auvergne with the car wheras the train goes north of the Auvergne. But I would take two days if going by car, otherwise it would be autoroute all the way, which is less interesting.

kim08

Thank you everyone for very useful advice! I hate to give short shrift to the Auvergne, but our main focus is the Dordogne and a barge trip on the Canal du Midi!

tigerman99515

Kim,
We did the Canal du Midi last year in a self drive boat. Great trip. Are you doing a tour?

clairobscur

If you're going to Dordogne from Lyon, why are you going through Limoges?

There is (or at least used to be) a direct train from Lyon to Brive, etc.. via Clermont-Ferrand, going through Auvergne (and it is scenic, IMO)

kim08

To answer the most recent questions:
Yes, we're doing a "tour" of sorts on the Canal du Midi (a boat with just 10 passengers).
I thought that Lyon to Limoges was the easiest way to get to the Dordogne. I will look into a train from Lyon to Brive...

StCirq

I hope you're planning on having a car for the Dordogne.

Definitely go to Brive, not Limoges.

Michael

If I remember correctly, the train used to go Lyon to Périgueux via Limoges.

tigerman99515

Kim, let us know your impressions of the Canal du Midi. We did it on a self drive boat from Le Segala to Columbiers last year - had a great time. Very quiet and restful and beautiful southern France countryside - sunflowers and wine vineyards. I would be interested to know what those group barges offer.
thanks

kim08

We will definitely have a car to explore the Dordogne!
I see that it's possible to take this train route: Lyon-Clermont Ferrand-Ussel-Brive.
I will be happy to report on the barge experience. However, we will not take this trip until Fall '09!
Thanks again to everyone for helpful advice.