We plan to go to Dordogne from Paris. Travel agent recommends 2 nights in Bordeaux to see wineries on an eight hour tour; should be lovely... Or, should we take the train from Paris straight to Brive to have a shorter drive with more time in Dorgogne, where we plan to see cave paintings... Or can use the extra day earlier in Loire Valley where I will do a one day tour earlier during our visit to Paris, and skip Bordeaux all together? Itinerary: Paris, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne/Sarlat, Riviera, Paris/home
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Do you really have the time for all of these? In any case I think this depends on how much you prefer an 8-hour wine tour versus a day of renaissance palaces versus another day in one of the most beautiful parts of France. I would study well your various transit choices. If you stop in the Loire, you've got about a 5-hour trip to the Dordogne, however you go. The trip to the Riviera will be the worst. Based on that, you might consider leaving it off. If not, consider flying home form Nice instead of Paris.
Posted by
North Vancouver, BC, CANADA
15 posts
Hi Suzan,
Sounds like our families have similar itineraries! We are Paris (7 nights), Loire Valley (2 nights), Dordogne/Sarlat (7 nights), ??? (2 nights), Paris (1 night), Reykjavik (3 nights....taking advantage of the stopover back to US to see Iceland). The 2 nights after Dordogne/Sarlat are up in the air and we're not sure where to go, but was thinking of Bordeaux. We have travelled through France before but not to Bordeaux. As we will need to make our way back to Paris, I thought Bordeaux might be a good 2 night stay?? Mind sharing what the travel agent had to say re: 2 nights in Bordeaux?? (We are travelling by car, not train...pick it as we leave Paris and hand it back when we return to Paris.) Or, as you mentioned, instead of Bordeaux, spend more time in the Loire area....or is there another place between Dordogne/Sarlat and Paris our family 'must' see?? Maybe Brive?? Haven't heard of it, but will check it out as a possibility - thanks. Some folks on other RS blogs/comments have said don't spend much time in Dordogne however we disagree. Sometimes it's good to slow down...we have rented an amazing house w/pool and look forward to exploring the area, including seeing some of the caves, paddling the Dordogne River and checking out local markets....then coming back for a swim & glass (or 2!) of wine at the end of the day.
Posted by
OP
la, ca
34 posts
Travel agent is recommending a full day mini coach tour to wineries around Bordeaux. Apparently it's a major wine area... 2 nights in hotel in Bordeaux... Loire Valley is nice to ride bikes as well. Not sure if you can do that for 3 days or so.... but there are tours I found which looked really nice