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Perigord Noir plus where?

Posted by on

I am planning a trip for 3 ladies. Never been past Paris. One can't walk long distances so beautiful driving spots are a plus.

End of April beginning of May for about 12 days - hoping to end with about 3 days in Paris.

Planning Boston to Paris redeye, and then train to Brive-la-gaillarde. Pick up car (make sure not on a Sunday), and drive to see the villages like Domme and Beves and Limeuil.

I was going to add some spots down South like Carcassone and maybe over to Avignon but I am worried of trying to cram too much in. I was going to continue to a place like Nimes and catch the TVG back to Paris, but could also do a loop and head back and leave from Brive.

I'd love some advise about great small villages to stay in. I love a small village that have a couple great places to eat so after a long day of touring we can eat close by.

Suggestions for an addition spot within a few hours that would make sense to tour and has lovely things to see are most welcome.

We love quaint, history, cathedrals, and great food.

Also, if someone knows a nice spa type place where we could get a massage and maybe something like a jacuzzi or hot pool, I know that would go over well.

Thanks!

Posted by
2405 posts

You didn't specify where your accommodation will be located, but since you are going to visit my region, starting from Brive here is an itinerary which takes you through 3 villages classified as "Most beautiful villages in France" and they are on the route to Domme / Belves / Limeuil

https://goo.gl/maps/qxCJ5YF7XZgYD9rc6

It goes through:

Collonges-la-Rouge

https://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/discover/cultural-heritage/villages-to-visit/collonges-la-rouge

Turenne

https://www.chateaudeturenne.com/

Martel

https://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/discover/cultural-heritage/villages-to-visit/martel

The lady who cannot walk a long distance will probably not be able to go to the castle in Turenne.

Brive-la-Gaillarde is also a very pleasant little town with a pedestrian center.

Going to Carcassonne will be a long drive, and even more to Nîmes, especially since you only have 12 days.
However, you could return to Paris by TGV from Bordeaux or flight from Toulouse.

Note that in early May there will be 3 public holidays on May 1st, 8th and 9th.
Which will bring a lot of French people on the roads and to tourist places. Don't wait to book accommodation if you haven't done so yet.

Posted by
410 posts

12 days. Assume that you mean days ... 13 nights sleeping in France. End with 3 days (4 nights?) in Paris. If your "12 days" includes a pair of transatlantic flights, then you really have 11 nights in France, i.e., 10 whole days.

So, with the longer time frame in mind, you would have 8 days (and 9 nights) in the Perigord Noir, or Perigord Noir and -?-, with a chunk of one day getting back to Paris.

This past spring, we very much enjoyed a week spent cycling that started in Bergerac, then past Limeuil to Le Bugue, Les Eyzies, Montignac, Sarlat, Le Roque-Gageac (my partner was reluctant to bike up the hill to Domme), Belves and back to Bergerac. I think Les Eyzies (with its Museum of PreHistory and Font de Gaume), along with Montignac (a charming town in its own right) and the Lascaux IV re-creation were highlights. As you know, between Domme and Belves, you will be near Chateau Milandes, the home of Josephine Baker. (Our trip was 4 weeks, so we were ale to take in more of France: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/fabulous-tour-de-france-2-weeks-on-foot-and-by-train-2-weeks-by-e-bike )

If you spent 5 nights and four days in the Perigord Noir, that would leave you 3 days for Carcassone, Nimes and Avignon. That might be a bit rushed for you. Or you could simply spend more time enjoying the Perigord Noir ... with perhaps one more day added to Paris.

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