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Suggestions between Cahors and Bordeaux?

Hello! I am putting the finishing touches on planning a trip to France next month and am wondering if anybody has suggestions for a place to stop over for a night between Cahors and Bordeaux. On our last full day in the region, we will be starting near Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and the plan for the day is to explore Cahors and points west. The following day we need to catch a train in Bordeaux so I am looking for a place to stop for the night in between, somewhere part of the way to Bordeaux, so as to cut down on driving time on our travel day. Does anybody have a favorite village or town in that region that would be a nice place to wrap things up?

And then of course if anybody has suggestions for driving routes or particular favorite spots along the way, I'd love to hear them. :-D Thank you!

Posted by
10621 posts

There are a few places that are known, though I haven't spent time in any of them: Bergerac, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Langon.

Posted by
28065 posts

I found Bergerac attractive, but don't expect a tiny little hill village like St-Cirq. Bergerac would add about 30 minutes to the driving time between Cahors and Bordeaux. For a larger place there's Perigueux, but it's about twice as long a detour off the direct route.

Posted by
393 posts

JoLui mentioned Belves. In late May 2023, we enjoyed a night at Hotel Clement V (3 star, with nice breakfast) in Belves, should you go there. Belves is a small, hilltop village, one the many "Plus Beaux Villages de France," with some art and music in town; not a lot, but one photographer, a little off the beaten track, had a very interesting showing of rather strange and mind-bending constructed, somewhat unreal photos. We had a very adequate dinner at a restaurant in town. Not the prettiest village in the region (La Roque Gageac may get that award, though it is pretty touristy), but Belves was a lovely place to spend the night as you explore the area and other nearby villages and chateaux.

It is not too far west from La Roque Gageac, Castelnaud Chapelle and Chateau Milandes (Jospehine Baker's Chateau), so you might have a pleasant day driving from Cahors to Rocamadour, Domme, La Roque Gageac, Castelnaud, Chateau Milandes and ending up in Belves. We biked from Sarlat to Castelnaud to Chateau Milandes to Belves in a single day. From Cahors to Rocamadour, Domme, La Roque Gageac, Castelnaud, Chateau Milandes and ending up in Belves, looks like a little over 3 hours of driving time, total, plus the time you spend at stops along the way.

Posted by
28065 posts

I don't recommend Rocamadour unless you have time to go up to the religious area on the hill. The medieval street at the bottom of the town is a 100% touristified string of schlock souvenir shops and tourist cafes and restaurants.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you so much for the replies and information, everybody! It is very much appreciated. :-)