Trip report Dordogne
Jun 6th, 2007, 05:32 PM
#101
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow! Thanks for such detailed and useful input. 
It is very generous of you.
We have the 10:00 am reservation for Pech Merle so your outline and my plan seem to work.
As for Rocamadour and Padirac, I will have to think about it. I don't know that I care about having a lot of time at Rocamadour, but both Padirac and R. seem to call out for early visits due to crowds. Hmmmm, we will just have to do our best.
OK, Cenac to Beynac it is for the canoe trip - you and moolyn both recommended the same. Perfect.
The more I read and think and look at the map, the more I am sure that skipping Tremoat and Le Vieux Logis is the right thing to do. I feel so much better/relieved to just let go of that.
Milandes is a definite and my notes also say that the falconry shows are at 3 and 4:30 so unless there is a last minute change in their schedule, that will work perfectly for Friday afternoon. I knew Milandes was for sure and was considering the other, but it seems like too much to do both.
Thanks again for helping clarify and organize my thoughts. I got so much good advice as I planned this trip last fall and winter (ira, stu dudley, moolyn, St. Cirq,lexma, Carlux, the Go Family and more), but I had not sorted through some of these little details in a clear way. I appreciate you allowing this "diversion" from your report.
It is very generous of you. We have the 10:00 am reservation for Pech Merle so your outline and my plan seem to work.
As for Rocamadour and Padirac, I will have to think about it. I don't know that I care about having a lot of time at Rocamadour, but both Padirac and R. seem to call out for early visits due to crowds. Hmmmm, we will just have to do our best.
OK, Cenac to Beynac it is for the canoe trip - you and moolyn both recommended the same. Perfect.
The more I read and think and look at the map, the more I am sure that skipping Tremoat and Le Vieux Logis is the right thing to do. I feel so much better/relieved to just let go of that.
Milandes is a definite and my notes also say that the falconry shows are at 3 and 4:30 so unless there is a last minute change in their schedule, that will work perfectly for Friday afternoon. I knew Milandes was for sure and was considering the other, but it seems like too much to do both.
Thanks again for helping clarify and organize my thoughts. I got so much good advice as I planned this trip last fall and winter (ira, stu dudley, moolyn, St. Cirq,lexma, Carlux, the Go Family and more), but I had not sorted through some of these little details in a clear way. I appreciate you allowing this "diversion" from your report.
Jun 6th, 2007, 05:45 PM
#102
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're welcome and my pleasure to help. It's the reason I took time to do the report. I'm sure you'll love this region and want to go back so don't worry about fitting it all in this time around.
Jun 6th, 2007, 09:43 PM
#104
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Crazy4travel - I just read through your report, and yup, we were both at the Sarlat market. And I notice that you were having dinner in Sarlat during that huge storm while we were in Domme! I agree with you about Domme, it just seems like there's no "there" there. Though someone reported on a glass elevator that I'd like to take sometime.
Jun 7th, 2007, 02:44 AM
#105
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lexma90...a glass elevator?...in Domme?? Interesting..I haven't heard about that.
I would have to say that Domme was my least favorite stop and we went twice just to be sure it wasn't a bad first impression. It was a flat line for us both times I'm afraid. It might be different if you stay there and see it at night and early in the morning. I won't take anything away from the view as it is spectacular.
The person that owned our gite said that 10 years ago it was much nicer without strip of tourist shops. I'm sure that's true with Rocamadour as well.
I would have to say that Domme was my least favorite stop and we went twice just to be sure it wasn't a bad first impression. It was a flat line for us both times I'm afraid. It might be different if you stay there and see it at night and early in the morning. I won't take anything away from the view as it is spectacular.
The person that owned our gite said that 10 years ago it was much nicer without strip of tourist shops. I'm sure that's true with Rocamadour as well.
Jun 7th, 2007, 02:45 PM
#106
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad the hotel in Loubressac turned out to be a good choice. Loved your photos -- I could almost hear the silence and feel the sun while sitting there, looking out at the valley. As for Cadouin, it's very ancient looking which I find interesting, but my companions were not thrilled to stop there and couldn't wait to leave. Some much needed restoration was taking place last year and undoubtedly is continuing, with lots of scaffolding, so probably not a big deal that you did not get there this time. My first trip to the Dordogne was following a week in the Loire, so even I was pretty much saturated with chateaux viewing (I averaged 3-4 a day in the Loire). But Biron was one of the two I felt drawn to go into in the Dordogne. I was the only visitor, about an hour before closing, and found it to be hauntingly beautiful and sad, given its current condition (much of the interior was quite torn up) and story. That was about five years ago, and there were no movie sets then, so perhaps things have improved.
Jun 7th, 2007, 03:04 PM
#107
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for the info about Cadouin gabriele. I guess you can't see it all so you have to skip something.
It's hard when you have plans for so long and find out a couple of weeks before departure that somethings wrong. A hotel closure is a first for me. Thank god I always reconfirm in advance as they didn't notify me. It wasn't until I sent my second more frantic message that I got the information about the closure. In the end, we were so happy with that view in Loubressac.
You'll be happy to know that Biron is getting the much needed restoration. They show a section completely unrestored and then the finished product....wow was it ever a mess before.
I think that's what most impressed me about Castelnaud, the before and after photos they have on display.
We only saw 5 chateau in 10 days so it wasn't total saturation for us. I liked the Dordogne and Lot as there was such a variety of things to see...gardens, caves, markets, walnut mills, chateau, lovely countryside and quaint little towns. I only wish I had more time...
Thank you for reading my report and your remarks.
It's hard when you have plans for so long and find out a couple of weeks before departure that somethings wrong. A hotel closure is a first for me. Thank god I always reconfirm in advance as they didn't notify me. It wasn't until I sent my second more frantic message that I got the information about the closure. In the end, we were so happy with that view in Loubressac.
You'll be happy to know that Biron is getting the much needed restoration. They show a section completely unrestored and then the finished product....wow was it ever a mess before.
I think that's what most impressed me about Castelnaud, the before and after photos they have on display.
We only saw 5 chateau in 10 days so it wasn't total saturation for us. I liked the Dordogne and Lot as there was such a variety of things to see...gardens, caves, markets, walnut mills, chateau, lovely countryside and quaint little towns. I only wish I had more time...
Thank you for reading my report and your remarks.
Jun 7th, 2007, 03:31 PM
#108
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
fun4all4: we will also be in the dordogne when you are, with our 14, 12 and 9 year old boys! We will be based in ST. Alvere with my extended family. I am using your itinerery as a basis for ours. We will keep a look out for you!
Jun 9th, 2007, 01:27 PM
#112
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The glass elevator is part of the cave visit in Domme. The entrance is located at the former Town Covered Market, beautifully decorated w/geranium baskets when we were there.
Walking, you descend deeper and deeper into the belly of the earth as you visit the various "rooms" of stalagtites/mites. At the end, you exit and enter a glass elevator that whisks you up the side of the cliff. Unless it is foggy, the Dordogne Valley spreads out before you!
After visiting the "greats" perhaps this little cave might seem unimpressive, but it was most pleasant and not too long of a visit.
Walking, you descend deeper and deeper into the belly of the earth as you visit the various "rooms" of stalagtites/mites. At the end, you exit and enter a glass elevator that whisks you up the side of the cliff. Unless it is foggy, the Dordogne Valley spreads out before you!
After visiting the "greats" perhaps this little cave might seem unimpressive, but it was most pleasant and not too long of a visit.
Jun 9th, 2007, 07:44 PM
#114
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds interesting klondike...Stu Dudley mentioned the cave but I don't recall the glass elevator.
Thank you schuba...I'm trying to compose a summary but can't seem to find the time this week...maybe next week.
Thank you schuba...I'm trying to compose a summary but can't seem to find the time this week...maybe next week.
