Drive from Dordogne France to Umbria Italy

Personally, I would head south and pass though Provence.

That sounds like a great trip, you are fortunate indeed. Will you have the car for the entire time through two countries because that would be an expensive rental? Lyon would be a direct route but I'd spend time in Burgundy / Beaune also if you like wine and food.
Driving between France and Italy looks easy on a map but there is a reason the two countries speak different languages, they have natural barriers between them. I have opted to only have a car for a few days here or there and used trains and planes to travel between the two countries. If you just want to drive and stop along the way, Turin would be another good stop.

cathy,

Are you planning to rent a car in France and return in Italy? There are often very steep drop-off charges with that.

Note that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit for driving in Italy. You'll also have to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas (hefty fines!). If travelling in Austria or Switzerland, you'll need to buy the compulsory Highway Tax Vignettes as soon as you enter the country (more hefty fines without them, which are usually collected on the spot!).

We were planning to have a car the entire time. In France we are in a beautiful cottage perched high over the Dordogne river but it's in Beynac, which is very small. We need a car to travel from there to the other lovely towns around the area. In Italy we are in Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, an incredible rental overlooking sweeping views of the countryside. Again, we need a car to travel from our Italian base...BUT... it's sounding more difficult than I had hoped. Perhaps we rent a car in France...turn it in once we are through traveling around there then train to Italy and rent again in Italy? I am traveling with a girlfriend but our husbands will be joining us at various times during our visit. Our 'requirements' were to be in a small village so we would feel comfortable walking to restaurants at night (and for convenience) BUT we also wanted a view. We were able to find that after much searching!!

Will have to spend some more time thinking the car situation. We know it's expensive but this is a bucket list travel experience for us and we're just going to do it unless someone else can offer a better solution to the car?

You should lease the car because it will be less expensive for 2 months, you won't have a problem with cross-border drop fees, no charge for 2nd, 3rd, 4th drivers, and it's fully insured. Check autoeurope.com or renaultusa.com.

And I agree to go south along the coast rather than across the French Massif Central and through the Alps tunnels.

Thank you so much folks. I had read that leasing a car was the best option. I love Provence so will let my friend know we have to go there!! Ha! I spent time with my husband in the Luberon area last year and fell in love with that part of France!

Our 'requirements' were to be in a small village so we would feel comfortable walking to restaurants at night

I've always felt safe walking around big cities in Europe and you have a lot more choices of restaurants. There are many reasons to stay in a small town but safety isn't one of them. Beynac is beautiful but if you are in a cottage high up you'll have a long walk back from dinner...straight up.

Two years ago we were in Tuscany for two weeks drove to Dordogne for two weeks then on to Normandy & Paris. We leased a car for the whole period. Leasing allow you to pick exactly what you want and know it will be in new condition. We had no problems driving between countries etc etc. This was our second leasing experience. I did dread driving into CDG to return the car, not because of traffic but just finding the turn in place. It turned out that the leasing place had programmed in the CDG 'turn in place' into the car's gps so it was easy. In my opinion to really experience Dordogne and Umbria you must have a car. We are planning another trip to Dordogne in 2018 for four weeks and we will likely lease again.

As far as where to stop along the way I can't help. We stopped and spent the night in Nice but that was it.

Thank you HMCPEAKE, I want to stay in Provence for a bit and also somewhere along the northern coast of ITaly for a few days. We will figure that out. Do you remember the leasing company you used?

We leased a Peugeot from Auto France.

Also, Cars do drive up to the houses in Beynac, probably residents. You might be able to arrange to drive up to drop off your luggage. I would contact the owners of your gite and ask about this. There are some houses with small yards and terraces in Beynac that have great views of the river. Look perfect for a class of wine before dinner. We stay out in the country but I've walked the town from the river to the top, ditto La Roque.

Try to have dinner at La Belle Etoile in La Roque. If you reserve ahead ask for a table on the terrace, river view and great food, our favorite.

One other thing. We stayed in a gite in Isle sur la sorgue for two weeks. Isle sur la sorgue is located north of AIX in Provence. If you pass through that area they have a large market on Sundays which is fun to attend. Also in that general area they have Bull Games which is fun. It may require some work locating them but it was worth it for us.

Well ok two things :)

Back in Beynac, On Sunday mornings go to the market in St Cyprien and get rotisserie chicken, potatoes & carrots from the vendor located pretty close to the start of the market street. He's a fun guy. May even do a little dance for you. Also wine cheese olives etc and have dinner at home. We do that every Sunday.

The Saturday market in Sarlat is a must see also. A walk thru old Sarlat in the evening when the tourists are gone is great.

OK, I'll be quiet now. I obviously love the area.

HMCPEAKE, please don't be quiet! I have communicated with the owner of our cottage in Beynac. We can drive up to unload luggage and then park close by. They have a garage. The house has a beautiful view of the Dordogne. We are very excited about the property. I appreciate all the information!

If there's anything I can help with send me a pm. Sometimes I'll go a month and not look in here but sooner or later I will. :)

What a terrific trip! We have been to both countries several times and always drive....but that's just us.
I don't think that I saw anyone mention the Cinque Terre or Tuscany on the way to Umbria, and that assumes you've already been to Florence and Rome. As others have suggested, I'd recommend breaking up the long drives with train travel, especially where you can utilize fast trains. Rome-to-Rio is a great website for checking travel options between destinations....like using google maps for directions, except gives you train, bus, air options and times as well between any 2 destinations.

For France, you should look at the "Most Beautiful Villages" website, since you will be so close to many in the Dordogne, the Lot dept, the Tarn dept, and Provence. I haven't found anything comparable for Italy, but in Tuscany, we love Piensa, Panzano, and of course all of the popular villages. We stay in B&B's/Agriturismos/small family run hotels in both countries, since we love to get to know the families and feel more immersed in the local culture. Most of the time, we cook with them, whether formal "lessons" or not.

Have fun on your trip of a lifetime!

In planning an upcoming trip to France, I've also found 2 other websites with good detail in English....France this Way, and France-Voyage.com. Both have excellent regional and local maps.