We will have a rental car from Ambroise to Sarlat allowing ourselves 4 nights on the road. Thought we would use Sarlat as a base to see surrounding sights.(per Rick's book) Planning on 3 nights in Sarlat.
We need to catch the train back to Paris from Bordeaux. Staying in Bordeaux or ? for an additional 3 nights.
Advice??.....would it be wise to train to Bordeaux from Sarlat and save expensive car rental $, plus the anxiety of possibily driving in Bordeaux? Would we miss much on train vs. car?
We would really appreciate any input....thanks
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
it's a 3 hour train ride, plus getting to the airport. So unless it's a late flight home the train sticks you with a night in Bordeaux.
Of course if you like that idea, there's no big downside. It's even a direct train. But won;t you want a car for your final 3 days?
An alternative would be to rent a second car after your time in Sarlat.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
I've made the drive from Bordeaux to The Dordogne. If you like wine, driving through the area around St. Emilion is very worthwhile. If you are just driving to catch the train to Paris you might be better off skipping the train and driving to Paris. Depending on how many are in your party driving could be a lot cheaper and possibly faster.
I didn't really care for Sarlat compared to the smaller towns in the area, I really liked Les Eylzes but we stayed in La Roque which was also very nice but all tourists.
You will want a car for your entire stay in The Dordogne. I took a GPS with me, turned off the toll road option and thoroughly enjoyed driving the one lane back roads. Everything in the Dordogne is amazing.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
My advice is on your other posted question.
Posted by
California
777 posts
I second the St. Emilion idea. Last summer we drove from Sarlat and stayed 2 nights in St. Emilion before catching our Bordeaux train. The wine there really is amazing and we had a delightful time!
Posted by
3 posts
Forget Bordeaux, there is way too much to see in Dordogne…caves, rivers, castles, and Chateau D Commarque where you can step back into the 12 C and spend the day in this fabulous archeological site on a self-guided tour. The Count of Commarque and his wife spend summers in their Dordogne chateau and are often on premises. The Commarque and Beynac families have been in the area for 1000 years!!