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Visiting Iceland before France...and Dordogne without Paris?

Posted by (Michigan) on

We are dreaming about a return trip to France, and want to do things a little differently this time. I'm looking for advice about spending a couple of days in Iceland before continuing on to France.

We've never explored the Dordogne region, and are wondering about flying into Toulouse and focusing on that part of France...and perhaps not go to Paris this trip. We've been to Paris several times, and while I would ALWAYS want to go again, maybe our days and dollars/euros should be spent in a new region to explore this time. (Although I think I'd really miss Paris if we didn't go!)

Any experience would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Laurie

Posted by
1443 posts

You could fly into Bordeaux or Toulouse, rent a car, and in two hours be in Sarlat or another town in the Dordogne region.

Last summer I stayed at La Tour de Cause, a great little b&b near Domme and Beynac run by two former chefs from Brussels. It's an excellent location.

Posted by
10223 posts

Sounds like a good plan. Stopping in Iceland is not only interesting, but it also helps adjusting to the time change. And as stated, either Bordeaux or Toulouse airports.

Posted by
6548 posts

You may already know that Icelandair has good packages for stopovers in Reykjavik, and charges no additional fare when you make a stopover (whether or not you book their package). They fly from Chicago and Toronto but, alas, not to Bordeaux or Toulouse. So you'll have to change again in Europe.

I understand how you feel about Paris, so do I -- but it's really OK to skip it this time! ;-)

We had five great days in the Dordogne a few years ago. Look to the "France" board for more info about that.

Posted by
4541 posts

Your best bet is to watch for good deals on Delta or Air France on a single ticket to Bordeaux or Toulouse and save Iceland for when you are going to Paris first. I'm shuddering at the thought of landing at CDG terminal 1 on an Icelandair ticket then transferring to terminal 2 for an Air France flight on another ticket.

Posted by
97 posts

A couple of years ago we flew into Bordeaux, spent a couple of nights in town, and then picked up our car at the train station. Very easy drive out of town and quick journey to the Dordogne.

For planning our itinerary I found North of the Dordogne and South of the Dordogne to be very helpful sites.

We really enjoyed our stay at Moulin de la Ville, a converted farmhouse B&B on the outskirts of the bastide town of Beuamont du Perigord. They also offer dinner and the owner is a retired chef.

Posted by
2916 posts

Earlier this year we flew Icelandair to Paris, then immediately got a TGV to Bordeaux where we picked up a car. We eventually spent a week in the Dordogne, in Beynac at this place: http://latreille-beynac.fr/Site/La_Treille.html. It was fantastic, but I think they might require a week minimum.
I see no problem skipping Paris (we did) if you've been there before, and I think if you fly Icelandair, a stopover in Iceland is a great idea.

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