When we leave Sarlat (after 4 nights of caves and scenic towns) and head to Carcassone (arrive about 3 or 4 for one night), we would like to drive a scenic route. Rick Steves lists a "Route of the Bastides" (Cordes-sur-Ciel, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, Penne, Bruniquel, Larroque, Puycelsi) between the Dordogne and Albi. I've read of other scenic towns mentioned in previous posts (Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Najac, Cordes-sur-Ciel). We're not as interested in stopping in Albi or Toulouse. Can anyone recommend their favorite scenic route between Sarlat and Carcassone?
Posted by
Michigan
483 posts
We visited Cahors with friends at the end of June, and they took us to Saint Cirq Lapopie. We hiked along the river and up a steep climb to Saint Cirq Lapopie, and it was beautiful! I’m so glad we went there. I think the total hike was around 8 km. I believe that you can arrive by scenic boat ride in July and August, instead of the hike.
Laurie
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
I was there in June and went south to north. My favorite places along the route (not including beaches south of Arcachon or St. Emilion) were: Sarlat, Domme, La Roque Gageac, Conques (a million times better than Rocamadour IMO), St. Cirq Lapopie, Pech Merle, Najac, Courdes sur Ciel (might be crowded in high season, it was fine in June), Carcassonne and Foix. I also didn't think much of Albi, the church was impressive but nothing else in town interested me. I also liked the castles Beynac and Castelnaud.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1864 posts
We are planning that drive (south to north) in late September. Our tentative route is A-62 to Les Gorges de l'Aveyron, Penne, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Saint Cirq=la-Popie, Grotte du Pech Merle, to Sarlat. Using the A-62 allows us to have more time to linger for the interesting parts of the drive.
We intend to picnic somewhere pretty along the way and visit Pech Merle, but if we don't have time, we will schedule it on a day we are in Sarlat, since it is only an hour from Sarlat. I don't think we will visit Cordes (most of the info I have seen claim it is overrun with tour bus groups) , but will stop at a roadside viewpoint for a photo. The gorges are supposed to be very scenic, although they don't get much mention in tour books.
We are planning two nights in Carcassone and will use the full day to visit some of the Cathar Castles in the area. You might enjoy reading Labyrinth (Kate Mosse) before your Carcassone visit.
Posted by
OP
America's Vancouver and the First
111 posts
I swear that we will be the ONLY Americans driving north (from Loire area) to south (Provence) and ending in Alsace. I say that lightly because I have yet to read about anyone taking that route. It could be because of our time frame.
@Brad - I noted the towns you visited from an earlier post.
@andrew - We would love to see Albi, and if we get our fill of small scenic towns in the previous days in the Dordogne, we will head there instead. We figured Albi would be a 4-hour stop and we might spend that time seeing other things along the way. We already have plans to visit other caves and will save Pech Merle for another trip.
@Laurie - we won't have time for a hike, especially a steep one!
@Cynthia - thank you for the book suggestion! I love these kinds of books and wasn't familiar with this author! Might I suggest in return, author Martin Walker and his Bruno, Chief of Police which take place in the small towns of the Dordogne (St. Denis, Bergerac, etc.)
Merci!