There will be five adults and two children (9 and 12) staying in a gite at La Roque Gageac from June 8 to 18 next year. We will have two cars so we are not stuck with a large van-type car on small village streets. The children and their parent arrive late the 9th and leave the 18th, so they will have from the 10th through the 17th to see all the Dordogne region has to offer. (They arrive at and leave from the Bordeaux airport). Four of us adults have more flexibility with our travels, and will be in France for about two weeks before this stay, and a few days after.
Okay, scene set. My questions are about:
Visiting the prehistoric caves. I am thinking Lascaux reproduction and Font de Gaume. With our group, how much time should we allocate for these two visits? I realize they would be on different days, but is it possible to do or see something else of interest the same day we visit a cave? Or will each one take up most of the day?
Kayaking/canoeing on the river. Both kids have kayaked on their own on lakes. Are these activities usually half-day, and do the companies pick you up and return you to your starting place/car? Are some departure/landing places preferred over others, for sights to see, lovely scenery, etc.?
We want to show the kids castles, suits of armor, etc., with some history of the region, the Hundred Years War, and context of the area. (I love the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine.) Which of the many castles have the most to see for the young ones? (And don't require a long uphill walk for us grandparents with wonky knees.)
Aren't there some trogloditic caves in the area that are more recently inhabited? If so, are they accessible? Are they near anything else we might want to see?
Are there any farms which allow visits, especially where geese are raised (we are not anti-fois gras. Well, all but one of us, who won't be visiting a farm.)
We have a house with a pool and plan on returning there most evenings for dinner, but will have some meals out. We also will do some shopping at local markets for our food supplies, and we will ask our hosts for recommendations on markets. I guess I am most interested in planning our days of activities without overdoing it and without backtracking. A walk-around in Sarlat would be fun, and a visit to Les Jardins de Marqueyssac.) Also, any portrayal of medieval battles, tournaments, etc.
Any and all suggestions will be considered, and I will buy a new Michelin regional map (the yellow one) for that area to plan our day trips, but personal experience beats all the guidebooks. (The Michelin green guide will be our go-to, I think). Please feel free to dispense any of your wisdom and experience to me. This is a delayed trip from 2021 (50th anniversary year for us), and will now incorporate an 80th birthday celebration for 2023. Grandparents' present to ourselves and the family.
Thanks in advance. Vive la France!