Hello,
we will be spending a few days in the Dordogne region before traveling
back to Paris. Our plan is to drop off a rental car in either Bordeaux or Brive and
then taking a train back to Paris. Is either town a good option for this? or is one better
for dropping off the car and catching the train?
Thanks, Darryl
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1330 posts
We just did this in June, returning our rental car at Avis next to the train station in Bordeaux, and took the TGV from Bordeaux to Paris, about a 2-2 1/2 hour trip to Gare Montparnasse. Very easy. We reserved our seats throiugh SNCF. I recommend the earlier the better to pay less for your tickets. My guess is that your train options are better from Bordeaux. We did go to Bordeaux the day before our return to Paris in order to visit the Cite du Vin there, and stayed at the Hotel Particulier de Bordeaux about 2-3 blocks from the station. For dinner we walked to the street right across from the station for dinner. There are multiple cafes and restaurants to choose from.
BTW, we loved our ten days in the Dordogne, and are sure that you will love it too!
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Bordeaux will have more car rental offices than Brive, and the train ride is half as long from Bordeaux: it makes up for the longer drive.
When you shop around, do have a look at Limoges: train ride is shorter, drive is a bit shorter than to Bordeaux (without tolls and with less risk of traffic), and there should be a few more car rental options than in Brive.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much for the input.
Very helpful.
Darryl
Posted by
Lancaster PA
262 posts
You could consider dropping your car in Perigueux, then take the local train to Bordeaux. It saves the tolls and hassle of driving in Bordeaux, although there are many stops along the way.
Posted by
Federal Way, WA, USA
21 posts
If you plan on buying tickets off the SNCF website (https://www.sncf-connect.com) or via the SNCF Connect app make sure to have your credit card company temporarily flag you as traveling in France. My credit card kept getting declined until I did this. Make sure to remember to switch it back after buying the tickets! The website is a little confusing but it's not too hard to figure out. BTW if either of you are over 65 you can get a discount but you have to say that before you search.