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Potential stops, sights between Sarlat le Caneda and Saint Emilion?

Trip coming soon. Making a list of sights/stops. This will early October

We will be leaving the Dordogne area and heading back toward Bordeaux. I have seven nights, plus one night in Bordeaux before catching a Bordeaux to Paris train. We will have already visited Bordeaux, earlier in the trip, but may add another night or two.

I'm gathering places to visit on the stretch east of Bordeaux as far as Sarlat. I appreciate your suggestions.

If I don't fill my seven nights, I may go further east from Sarlat to visit Conques. I love Conques but felt Figeac was only okay. I'm not sure I want to go east from Sarlat just to visit Conques. I might do it if I had other places I want to visit. Suggestions?

Edit: Should mention I'm also not a fan of Rocamadour

Alternatively, I can go west to the coast. I didn't like Arcachon when I visited. I did, however, enjoy camping on the coast south of Arcachon - particularly renting a bike and riding to the giant dune along the coast. If I do that, I'll likely move it to before the swing eastward to Carcassonne, Lot and Dordogne so I'm there in September (26th) rather than October.

If you read my earlier posts, I'm not booking my lodging until last minute. I want to test how it works now. It's the way I always travelled Europe a decade ago. I love being flexible rather than a slave to reservations, leaving early or staying longer as we choose. Maybe overtourism will have ruined that, but I'm betting I never go homeless. My theory has been to book some things before your trip: your first stop after landing, and any that can't or won't change (flight or train tickets booked). If you are dead set on staying at a particular hotel/resort book it. I only want a clean and quiet place to sleep, shower and prepare light meals.

Posted by
562 posts

It's a bit north of your proposed route, but Angouleme (walled town) is nice. Royan is attractive and on the opposite bank is a large camping/leisure area. And there's always Cognac!

Posted by
1967 posts

We visited the Dordogne region for the second time three months ago. We really enjoyed Martel and Autoire which are both east of Sarlat and Brantome which is west of Sarlat.

Posted by
483 posts

Some ideas for you:
(These are all along the D936)
La Roque-Gageac and Beynac (things may be closed down in October though)
Bergerac (markets on Weds/Sat and it's usually a bustling town all year)
Ste. Foy la Grande (the Saturday market is my favorite. It is considered a "working town" meaning it's not touristy like Sarlat, Beynac, etc. It is open year round Tues-Sat. but it buttoned up tight on Sundays and Mondays)

(These are a bit off the straight path but may be worth a visit)
Issigeac on a Sunday for the market (pretty quiet rest of week)
Eymet (charming bastide, large English population, great market on Thursdays)
Duras (interesting castle, quaint hillside town)

There are others but this should get you started with your research. Hope you enjoy your trip!

Posted by
11307 posts

Conques, Rodez, Viaduc de Millau, Laguiole, Narjac, caves de Roquefort if you like cheese.

Posted by
3165 posts

Pick up any reputable travel guide and you'll see that what you need to consider when you think of "Dordogne" is a whole area further east (Lot, Quercy). However, west of Sarlat, between Sarlat and Saint-Émilion I don't see anything remarkable that would merit an overnight stop.

A glance at this map will give you a more precise idea.
You'll see that Sarlat is almost "out of the picture" in the far west, and that your idea of ​​going to the Lot region is the best (you should also add Corrèze).

https://www.cartographik.fr/Vall%C3%A9e-de-la-Dordogne--Cartographie-touristique

You can visit Martel, Collonges-la-Rouge, Autoire, Carennac, Turenne, Loubressac, Curemonte, the Presque caves, and far too many other places for the time you have available.

Posted by
13 posts

Years ago we visited this region and one small village took our breath away. It is Conques (I think I've spelled it correctly). Itsa nice place to spend the day.