Dordogne, Arles and Lyon - Help With Itinerary

With pre-teens, I would definitely NOT pass Carcassonne--it would probably be the highlight of their trip. It was the background for Robin Hood and I think they would have a ball there. Also, when we had the same age guys, the had a great time at both Les Baux, and the Roman aqueduct in Provence. Lyon (to them) was pretty boring after all the fun previously.

With the kids, give your time to Dordogne and Carcassonne.

You can cut some time by staying in Perigueux and then swinging through the prehistoric area. If you stay in Sarlat (mostly an RS-touted place without a great deal of merit, especially for three nights) you're going to be doing some back-tracking. Maybe only spend one night there. Having knocked Sarlat, if you do stay there, consider P-H Toulemon's place that RS recommends -- great place.

Regarding Carcassonne -- you don't really need to spend the night there. It's small and you can see it all in a couple of hours. If you do spend the night, eat inside the walls -- in about fifty meters, then left and up. There's a couple of good places there casoulet (sp?) is the regional meal of choice (duck and beans, sounds weird, but's really good).

The aquaduct is Pont du Gard -- about halfway between Nimes and Orange (neither of which you should skip).

If I had to cut anything, it would be Lyon. Cut it short, or even skip it -- it doesn't hold a candle to thre rest of the stuff on your list.

I'd just add the same advice -- the Dordogne is great and I think it would be a hit. I don't think the kids would find Lyon interesting. Most of what you'd find there you could find elsewhere, and possibly even better. For instance, we found the Resistance museum disappointing, but much better presentations found in either Normandy or Paris. Better Roman remains in Arles or Nimes. Food would be outstanding in Lyon, but it depends on your priorities.

We stayed in Sarlat, but when we go back we're thinking of Beynac or La Roque-Gageac. If anyone else pipes in with first hand experience on that in light of kids, that would be helpful. Sarlat was fine, but I'm opting for scenery next time.

Yes a thousand times to what Adam said about Pech Merle. If you can fit that into your schedule, skip the caves around Les Eyzies (Font de Gaume is small and indistinct, Lascaux II is a repro tourist attraction). Pech Merle is hard to find, but it's near the village of Cabrerets which is about twenty miles east of Cahors.

Do not skip the national prehistory museum at Les Eyzies, it's world-class.

An overnight in Carcassone makes sense for many reasons. It fits logistically after a long day on the road form Sarlat, and it gives you the very best time of the day to see Carcassonne--late afternoon, night time, and morning.

That is, mid-day is the very worst time of day, and you can catch the first tour of the castle in the morning and then be on your way to Arles. You'll want to stay in or near the old city, though, for this to work.

I would not shave a minute from the Dordogne. I agree with Ed that Lyon is expendable, but without it the drive from Arles to Paris is awfully long. So I'd suggest less time there, or else a shorter stop someplace else that is also enroute between Arles and Paris, such as Beaune.

By the way, since you mention caves, in my view the best cave in the region and arguably all of France is the Grotte du Peche Merle, which is on your way from Sarlat to Carcassonne.

Have a great trip!

Having stayed in Beynac and visited Sarlat, I prefer Beynac. This equation might be different without a car, but you will have one.

I can't say what your kids would enjoy more, but Sarlat is more a bustling charming market town; Beynac is smaller but has the castle and a brilliant prospect over the river.

Thanks all. If anyone has a suggestion for a moderately priced, nice place to stay around Beynac or one of the other pretty villages in the area, I'd appreciate your recommendations. I probably need a pool. Thanks very much!