We had planned to visit the Dordogne area in mid October, but have had to change plans. Which month (November or April) would you recommend? I know hours will be shortened on some of the caves, etc and canoes may not be available. We love to wander the country side and villages and eat from local markets. We will have a car.
Thank you.
I went in May about 5 years ago and we had very cold rain every day for a week. Granted this was unusual. Could not canoe or even take a tour boat. The river was running too hard. Love the Dordogne but I would go again only in warmer weather. Exploring caves and castles is hard in the cold and rain. Don’t know which month has less rain, I would be sure to ask a trusted expert not anyone that responds here —as the weather is very important. I would do June or Sept. but guess this is not an option. Loved Sarlat, that is where we stayed. Beautiful!
I'd vote for April simply because the days are longer then. In November you'd be very constrained by darkness coming on in the late afternoon. Both months have about equal risk of chilly, wet weather, so you will want to pack appropriate clothing for wandering the countryside in inclement conditions.
Hello from Wisconsin,
April and spring flowers.
My rule of thumb for where to go is: If it is in the tour books, it has too much tourist influence and not enough local influence. So while the Dordogne is in the tour books the two following rivers seldom are.
Not so far from the Dordogne is the Lott River which is less touristed than the Dordogne. And even more fun and less touristed is the Cele River and surrounding hills. Pretty much at the juncture of these two rivers is a great cave with prehistoric paintings at Cabrerets. Where on the Lott? Get into the Parc Natural Causses du Quercy.
If you are willing to driving into the center of Cahors, a famous, photogenic bridge across the Lott.
wayne iNWI
