Vertigo!
 

Hi Fodorites

We're thinking of taking a driving trip encompassing Toulouse, Sarlat, train to Paris, for between 16 - 18 days this fall. We haven't finalized anything yet, just beginning the process.

One concern that's at the back of my mind is the roads, not the conditions per se, but I'm having difficulty finding information about the steepness of the grades, getting, for example to Carcassone. Les Baux, St. Paul de Vence, no problem. We would never consider driving in Switzerland or the Amalfi coast, but managed quite well in Ireland. I went along the Napoleon Trail (can't recall exactly where) as a passenger, and knew immediately we'd never be able to manage it ourselves. We went to Dingle, but did not get there via the Connor Pass. Going up and down isn't a problem, but straight up, mountain on one side of the car and sheer drop on the other makes my heart skip a beat just thinking about it. Lots of advice and warnings and information about driving in Sorrento and Amalfi and Dingle and the NW of Ireland, but I'm coming up empty about the Dordogne and Languedoc regions.

We've driven in the Canadian Rockies to Banff, Lake Louise, just fine, but it's a gently grade getting there.

I want the driver to enjoy this trip, not break out in hives just thinking about it!

I'd appreciate any advice, any areas you would recommend as a no-go for us.

Many thanks.

I cannot think of any driving in the Dordogne that is anywhere close to a problem.Conner pass-yes, Cliffs of Moher-yes. There are some drops like looking out of castle windows (Beynac, Castelnaud), cliff dwellings(La Roque-St-Christophe),high plateaus( Domme, Rocamadour), elevators(Gouffre de Padirac)if these would bother you?

http://elevationmap.net/9-15-bouleva...20000000431%29

https://www.google.com/search?q=beyn...w=1280&bih=589

https://www.google.com/search?q=cast...w=1280&bih=589

https://www.google.com/search?q=la+r...w=1280&bih=589

https://www.google.com/search?q=domm...w=1280&bih=589

official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa= X&ei=SBO4U9aKCI3qoASrsoCQCA&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1280& bih=589#channel=sb&q=rocamadour+france+photos&rls= org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch

https://www.google.com/search?q=gouf...w=1280&bih=589

Don't go anywhere near the Gorges du Tarn. And I wouldn't visit the Gouffre de Padirac or drive along the ridge roads above Beynac and La Roque-Gageac (but it's highly unlikely you'd ever even find those roads, anyway).

The road to Les Baux is not really a challenge. It is delightful.

Thanks for the replies. It looks like we'll carry on, and begin the planning in earnest. Lots more questions sure to follow...

We would never consider driving in Switzerland>

Much of Switzerland, at least on the auto routes would pose no problem - most of it.

I guess I wasn't on the autoroute going up and down the mountains, but that was a long time ago, just remember being too close to the edge for comfort!