Paris and the Dordogne region

We spent a week in the Dordogne last summer and we easily could have stayed longer. FYI Domme is kind of isolated, Very pretty and It’s a pain to get in and out of. My opinion. I think you are doing too much. So much history and too many activities to rush thru. But only you know how much traveling you can endure. My wife and I limit our stops. More enjoyable. May I suggest you return car to Bordeaux and catch TGV?

You can do it as outlined but I agree with Richard that it sounds like a very busy trip with lots of travel time. It's your vacation, built around your tastes and tolerances, but it doesn't strike me as the "relaxing vacation" you're wanting. Still, it might be for you.

Remember 2 nights is only one full day in Domme, 3 nights would be only two full days in Paris. You'll only have two full days in Paris even if you spend 4 nights there with a day trip to Brussels. If you're in Sarlat on a Wed or Sat they have a big vibrant market with street performers. There are caves, gardens and interesting chateaux in the region, too many to list here without some guidance as to what you like.

I agree that it's lot for 11 days.
Having said that, the Dordogne region is so wonderful, you'll only have a day and a half, which is really not a lot.
Domme, Beynac, Sarlat, Laroque-Gageac. if you like castles, The Castle of Castelnaud Lachapelle is fantastic. From there you see the one from Beynac, just on the other side.
On your way to Domme, you could split and make a stop in Carcassonne, a fantastic medieval city. You can spend 3-4 hours there easily.
Another great medieval castle is Bonaguil castle, which is just a bit west of the road you'd take, but again worth the trip if you like those things.
Do you absolutly have to do a day trip To Brussels?

We found the medieval center of Sarlat was magical on a warm evening. We thought Domme was OK, but we were done with it in two hours.

Consider returning your car in the Dordogne and taking the train to Paris - the area between those two destinations is not that exciting.

I’m in accord with what others have said. What you have outlined is not relaxing. First of all, I suggest you bag Brussels. Second, I would take the train, or even fly from Bordeaux to Paris. Driving is not relaxing. Have you checked driving time estimates? Viamichelin gives 6 - 7 hours for Domme to Paris.
Domme is not the best base for touring the Dordogne. There are tons of very attractive inns around Sarlat, Beynac, Les Eyzies, etc., in all price ranges. By the way, you’ll be surprised how long driving on those winding country roads can take. Plan an itinerary before you reserve lodgings.
In my opinion, 3nights, i.e., 2 days for Barcelona is also inadequate.

Not to pile on, but I agree it's too busy a plan. Eleven days would be a good amount of time for Barcelona and Paris (a 6.5 hour train ride apart). I'd lose the day trip to Brussels, unless you have some particular reason to want to go there.

But the Dordogne interlude would also be appealing, and a good relaxing break from those big cities. How about a train from Barcelona to Toulouse (3 hours), then drive up to Sarlat and vicinity, then drive to Bordeaux and get another train to Paris (2 hours)? That minimizes your time getting to the Dordogne and maximizes your time there, including some scenic driving before and after. I'd suggest two full days if possible. Domme is an interesting, attractive hilltop town but Sarlat or Beynac might be a better base.

Here's a delightful place to stay if you're looking for one, with a view over the valley and a short walk to "downtown" Beynac. Sarlat is a larger town with more options, but still a far cry from Paris or Barcelona.

Thanks, everyone. I will take the advice and train it through dordogne. I actually was mistaken and realize that we have 6 nights in Paris if we only spend 2 in Domme (2 more than I thought). Brussels is important to my daughter, so a day trip is important.

I’m still trying to decide 2 or 3 days in dordogne. I like Domme as a base but I hear it’s hard to get in and out of? I still prefer a small quaint village

Sarlat! Loved our time there, took a half day to Domme.
If you turn the car in at Bordeaux, make sure you get explicit instructions as to the dropoff location -- we spent two frustrating hours following GPS directions to the address listed for the Europacar location at the train station. Construction around the train station. But the two-hour train ride into Paris was lovely.

Take a look at L'Ombriere. It is in a perfect location for driving into Sarlat and the caves, Beynac, La Roque, and Siorac and Urval.

The couple is lovely and the breakfasts are wonderful.

Make a point to eat at Belle Etoile in La Roque. It is a Michelin restaurant overlooking the Dordogne River and is priced at only 34 euros a person. It was a great food experience in a beautiful setting and was priced right !

Here are some specifics as to why. Domme is not a good choice as a base. It is a hilltop town, with a cluster of parking lots below. That alone suggests how crowded it might be. I don’t know if you would be able to drop off luggage if you are staying in the historic area. Perhaps someone can chime in here. The walk is fairly steep. We have been to many towns in the Dordogne. Domme, while okay, is not on my top 10 list.