Dordogne or Bordeaux? Which is your pick?

Are you a oenophile? if yes, then Bordeaux is for you. The place where Bordeaux wine/blends were developed.

It depends on what you like. The Dordogne is known for its many prehistoric caves with original paintings, stalactites and stalagmites, etc. There are many castles you can visit along with some lovely gardens. And it's duck country!

FYI: Bordeaux is a city is kind of a gateway to the Dordogne department or area. You would catch a train from Bordeaux to get to the Dordogne. The most famous city in the Dordogne is Sarlat which is the end of a train line from Bordeaux.

One night in the Dordogne is not doable. It’s a huge area. My opinion. Spent a week last summer and only skimmed the surface.

Logistically, if you are spending one night enroute from Nice, your only option is Bordeaux.

• You can fly from Nice to Bordeaux
• The train from Bordeaux to Paris is only 2 hours.

That will leave you an evening and morning in Bordeaux, versus no time in the Dordogne.

I agree with kmkwoo. The Dordogne deserves more than one day to truly appreciate all it has to offer. If (when) you visit, don’t skip Les Milandes, the late, great Josephine Baker’s Château overlooking the river. It’s a treasure to tour, complete with viewing her costumes, videos of her performances, learning about her work for the French Resistance, as well as (seasonally), a birds of prey show on the beautiful grounds. This in additional to the lively market in Sarlat, prehistoric sites (our favorite was Font de Gaume, where you view the genuine drawings on the walls, not reproductions like at Lascaux) beautiful gardens high above the river, and wonderful restaurants of course.

If just one night, go to Bordeaux and stay near the center. The public transportation isn't very good. Alternatively you could pick one town or one small area and focus on that for a day.