drive from CDG to Sarlat, fr?

Don't do it is my advice because it is a long boring drive. I am guessing that you will not have jet lag because you will arrive from England so jet lag will not be factor. If your plan is to make it a trip that involves stopping at lovely cities and towns along the way for about a week or so then go for it. Otherwise, I suggest taking a train to some place like Bordeaux from CDG.

Have made that drive several times. Pretty boring (mainly Autoroutes) but can certainly be done in 6 1/2 - 7 hours.

Can you take the train part of the way and then rent a car? Because once you get there there is a lot more driving to visit the surrounding area. BTW, Sarlat was not my favorite town. One of the few times I really disagreed with RS book. It may make a decent home base because it has a grocery store but it is a little seedy and touristy.

I drove from Orleans to Sarlat, taking the scenic route,,, long and tedious,,, Sarlat wasn't my cut of tea either,, plenty of old buildings, interesting but only because its close to the Dordogne region, i think i only spent 2 nights near the town and then on from there.

As I remember, i left Orleans about noon, and didn't arrive near Sarat until after 8 pm,

I've done that drive both ways, with an overnight stop on the way each time. It is a very boring drive. I think catching a train to Bordeaux or Brive would be a good idea, unless you have some places you want to see on the way, like part of the Loire Valley.

We drove from Chinon in the Loire Valley with a stop at Oradour-sur-Glane, It was a long day, but manageable. Might be a stretch to drive from CDG, depending on your tolerance for driving.

For the record, I just adored Sarlat - one of my favorite places I've been. We stayed in an apartment a week and did lots of day trips. Can't imagine how you could call it seedy, but to each his own.

I really liked Sarlat too. Nice town with beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, and a great market. The meal we had at Le Regent Restaurant was the best I've ever had - foie gras, duck, walnut cake w/walnut ice cream for dessert. Like Carroll, we came from Chinon and Oradour, then spent two nights in Sarlat. Have a great time!

Via Michelin shows about 7 hours between CDG and Sarlat, but the route goes right through Paris which isn't a great idea. Take the Peripherique around the city. Or take Le Bus Direct from CDG to Orly and get the car there if you want someone else to drive you around Paris.

You could do the whole drive in a long day, or you could stop overnight at Orleans or Bourges, both beautiful interesting historic cities. Nothing boring about the drive imho. Or, as someone suggested, find a fast train from CDG to a nearby city (Bordeaux?) and drive from there, though to me that seems like too much work.

I'm also a fan of Sarlat, though we were glad we based ourselves in Beynac instead for easier access to other sights. Sarlat is well worth visiting and a good base for the Dordogne if you don't mind driving in and out of it each day as you explore. Or try Beynac or La Roque-Gageac or Castelnaud or any of the little towns in the area.

Maybe should have added the disclaimer that it was July so it was crowded, it was 100' F, and the traveling carnival with their 100 camper vans were in town. The things that make Sarlat a good home base are that it is big enough to have the conveniences you need and easy to find at the end of your days of traveling. Enjoy your trip!

It's about as broad as it is long. Either way requires most of a full day. I'd probably rent the car and drive. It's a lot simpler, and I doubt there will be much difference in the amount of time you spend. It's probably cheaper too.

Sarlat-la-Canéda is fine for a base. We've always stayed in Beynac, but we end up driving into Sarlat a lot -- more services, etc., especially if we decide we have to have a McDonald's fix. Uh-oh. Heresy. :-)

Many thanks for all of your replies....have found an inexpensive flight from Orly to Brive. Shall rent a car there and drive to Sarlat.
Divadesamona / Bonnie

We are doing the same trip but taking two days on the road before taking a cottage in the Dordogne. We are spending the last night in Uzerches. what would be a good place to stop -- smallish town with charm, hotel with parking -- on the first night?