Dordogne without a car in April?

Posted by ddmorton on 01/21/25 05:22 AM

Hi Everyone,

My girlfriend and I will be attending a wedding in Marthon, France in April around Easter after a few days in Paris. We plan to stay in France for 5-7 more days but are finding it overwhelming what to do with the remainder of our time. France has never been high on our list so there is nothing really pulling us in one direction or another. Two things have caught our eye - the prehistoric caves and Carcassonne.

We thought that while we're in Southwest France already we'd look to explore there but we really would prefer not to rent a car. Does it make sense to visit more of the Dordogne without a car?

Also is April too early in the year? Will many places still be closed for the winter?

Thanks!

Posted by Judy

Long Beach, Ca, usa

01/21/25 06:28 AM

1518 posts

ddmorton,
A car is a real must in the Dordogne, one of my favorite regions in France. Marthon is nearby, so it is a logical place for you visit after the wedding. I would definitely rent a car to go there. Most caves will be open in April, as will the castles at Beynac, Castlenaud and Chateau Milande, and the Prehistory museum in Les Eyzies. Markets go on year-round. The food of the region is fantastic! Kayaking on the river probably will not be happening until May 1, but you will find plenty to see and do in 5-7 days. The area is the location of many of "les plus beaux villages de France."
Should you choose not to rent a car, I would look into Bordeaux and St. Emilion, Nimes, Carcassonne, Montpellier/Sete, or Albi. Or go over to Provence and stay in Aix-en-Provence or Arles, both nice towns, and take some day trips from there by van or bus. You will find nearly everything open in April. Do take note that Easter is April 20th this year and there will be many French families on vacation, so lodging will be in demand before and after that. But all the areas I have mentioned are well worth the effort to see! (Of course, just about every corner of France has wonderful gifts to recommend it!)
Have a great trip!

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest

01/21/25 08:35 AM

2488 posts

Don't expect to visit the Dordogne and even less to "explore" it without a car.

It is a rural region, train lines are almost non-existent, buses are used for school transport and taxis which are rare are mainly used for medical transport.

90% of the sites that can be visited (caves, castles, villages) will not be accessible to you by public transport.

Rent a car in Angoulême, there are car rental companies at the train station (Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, etc) , you will be less than 2 hours driving to the Dordogne Valley.

All caves are open for visits from early-mid April, kayaking is also possible but depends on the weather and the river flow/level. To be checked on site.

Carcassonne and Albi are more than 3 hours drive from the Dordogne via Toulouse.

If you rent a car I made this map which could be useful:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OdPOg8AgsNn0Jlv1cNHkujaWv9p_Jpc&usp=sharing

Posted by KGC

Alsenborn, Germany

01/22/25 09:49 AM

1649 posts

Excellent map!

I was at Lascaux 5 months ago and you definitely need a car to get there and around the valley. If you go make sure you get tickets for on of the English speaking tours (which are limited) unless you speak French. The nice part of having a car is you can stop and sample pate and sausages at the local farms.