Travel to Sarlat and other Dordogne villages using public transport Jul 14-18th 2018

The news that an automatic transmission car won't be available is a problem! First, do you have a place to stay? If not, that's another potential problem this time of year as the Dordogne is a popular vacation destination. Second, you can get information about public transportation on the French rail site, SNCF. Finally, there are multiple car rental agencies at Brive Airport, including Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt, so you might want to contact them for the car you need.

Good luck and let us know your progress in planning your trip.

Hi Anita,

Thanks for your response. But when I check online, I am unable to find any automatic cars from any of these car rental agencies at airport, and I could locate one with Hertz, but the charges seem to bee too high nearly $900 plus, for just 4 days.

I have been able to locate and keep a temporary hold on hotel to stay in Sarlat, but I am thinking with the car rental issue, if would I need to replan.

Also I was looking for some suggestions on the itinerary, both based on travel by public transport or the itinerary if I manage to land a car rental.

I can change my bookings, based on any recommendations.

Thanks

Can none of your party drive a stick shift? Surely your Mom is of the generation which would have learned this basic skill.

Unfortunately no.

Can anyone help, how do I get from Brive Airport to Brive or Souillac Train station?
I may plan going to Perigruex for a couple of days, and then to Sarlat for the remaining days from Perigruex?
Is there a train/bus available from Sarlat to Bordeaux?

Thanks

I think you should spring and get the car from Hertz. Public transport in that area is somewhat limited.

Or, if you can get to Sarlat by public transport, then you could just be there and soak up it's wonderful flavors. You could check to see if there's any guided tours that drive you around to the other cool little towns in the area.

But I think you should get the car.

then you can go to the charming little market in St. Cyprien, see the caves (if you got tickets), to the wonderful market in Sarlat, go canoeing, visit Beynac....so many choices.

We were in the area last Spring. Stayed in La Roque Gageac. Stunningly beautiful. Sarlat is very nice. Wonderful street market (Saturday's if I recall correctly). But going to the castles, and gardens, and up to Dome, and .... , with any kind of flexibility is probably going to require a car. I'm certainly not an expert on public transportation in the area but I think it's pretty limited. Have you considered hiring someone to teach you to drive a stick? You could probably get pretty comfortable in a relatively short period of time.

Hi Shaun/Bjaskis,

I have managed to arrange for tge automatic car from 14-18 July.
Could you advise me on the itinerary for these days, post which I plan to go to Bordeaux on the 18th July, and probably cover St. Emilion or Modec winery, to return back to London on the 21st, 4pm flight

Thanks

I suggest you buy or borrow from a library the Rick Steves book on France. It has basic information on the towns and sites in the area and even suggests driving routes.