Advice on plans for a day trip from La Roque

You're right, they are short distances apart however they may take a bit more time than what the directions says as the roads can be twisty, narrow, and that time of year they may be busy. We spent a week in the Dordogne in October 2023 and loved it.

We were based in Beynac and so started with the castle there and then went to Castelnaud La Chappelle (I assume this is what you mean and not Castleland). The gardens at Vezac are a short drive from Castelnaud so we headed there next. Depending on your interest this may fill up the day. For us, the two castles were the highlight of the day and we could have skipped Vezac, however we spoke to some that thought the gardens were the highlight of their trip and we spent about a combined 5 hours between the two. I guess it was such a minor thing to me that I didn't even include Verzac it in Day 3 of my Trip Report. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-part-2-hills-and-castles-dordogne

Domme may be a stretch to include on the same day so I'd put it last or early on another day. It's beautiful and the views are amazing but to me Beynac is far more beautiful, but incredibly steep.

lisaa,
To me, seeing Beynac Castle and Castelnaud la Chapelle on the same day is castle overload. Do them on different days. Driving to, parking, walking from the parking lot, esp. at Castelnaud, and exploring the castles will take you a good three hours. See the gardens after one of them, in the afternoon. (Or switch morning and afternoon.) Visit Domme after the other one. Two things per day allows you to see the places without rushing through them. And driving from one place to another will give you time to pass through, or have lunch at, or relax with a drink in, some of the beautiful villages in the area. You could also time your Castle or garden visits with market day at one of the villages. The Sarlat markets are nice, but large and very busy and crowded, especially the Saturday one. Sometimes the smaller ones are more fun. If I remember correctly, La Roque Gageac has a market on Fridays or Saturdays. (They may have two days.)
Have you planned your other days yet?
La Courtines is a restaurant at La Roque Gageac that we really enjoyed. Not too pricy and excellent food.

Amusez-vous Bben!

Thank you Allen and Judy. Based on your feedback, here is what I am thinking for the 4 days in Dordogne.
Day 1-Castlenaud La Chapelle, Marquessac Gardens, Domme

Day 2- Have english speaking tour tickets at Lascaux IV at 9:50am, and Lascaux II at 1pm

Day 3-Beynac in the morning, Rocamadour in the afternoon

Day 4-Sarlat. It is a Wednesday, so hope to visit the market, Cathedral and the town

On one of the days we hope to canoe the Dordogne or take a gabarre trip.

Any other thoughts on places I can fit into the days without making it a rush through the towns? Allen-I appreciated your advise on the GPS and realize I need to allow extra time to get between towns.

lisaa,
You will find that many posters here think Rocomadour is not necessarily worth the time. I concur. You will be seeing two other castles, and the town of Rocomadour is very crowded and touristy and disappointing. I also think Lascaux II and Lascxaux IV is one Lascaux too many. (I have been to both.) Go to Lascaux IV, it is excellent. And try to see a different cave, such as Font de Gaum (not a reproduction, the real McCoy). There are so many caves to visit, each one a bit different from the other. Do a search here on the forum for prehistoric caves in the Dordogne, or Google them, and you will find many entries to examine and choose from.

Definitely kayak on the beautiful Dordogne River. You could do this instead of Rocomadour or Lascaux II, either afternoon. Give yourself 4 hours for this trip (getting outfitted and onto the river may take a half-hour if they are busy, and a half hour on coming out of the river and taking their bus back to your car). Have some towels and dry shoes in the car. (This was a highlight of our Dordodne visit in 2023 with your kids and grandkids!)

Explore the individual websites for both Beynac and Castelnaud for some details about a visit there. We were there in early June and at Castelnaud there were trebuchet demonstrations. (Most things like that happen in July and August, high season.) The views from each place were fantastic!

The National Museum of Prehistory in Les Ezyies would be a good stop (It was closed on the day we could go, alas!)
Cliff dwellings abound also at La Roque Gageac (above the town), La Roque Saint-Christophe, La Madeleine, to name a few. Some are medieval, some prehistoric
Good eats everywhere....pate, all things walnut, truffles, strawberries, mushrooms. Of course trout, duck, lamb and veal are delicious there as well. The local wine is Monbazillac, a bit too sweet for my taste, but excellent.

Many of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France are in the area as well. It is a wonderful part of France. You will have no trouble filling your days. Amusez-vous bien!

I would also suggest that you consider a cooking class at CookDorgne in Saint Cyprien. Lots of fun. Also a wine tasting tour with Dordogne Vineyard Tours is great! We have done each a couple of times and enjoyed them. And, maybe you might consider the Bruno, Chief of Police books by Martin Walker, a series set in the Dordogne area.