dordogne -- best way to spend 2 days in March?

Rocamador- even if you just stop briefly. fascinating

Interesting that you both suggest Rocamadour over Pech Merle. Rick's book seems to say that Rocamadour can be tacky and disappointing.

To provide perspective so you can figure it out better: The Prehistory Museum is probably the best of it's kind in the world (except for DC), but you can cover it all in two hours. There's no english guides or books, but the little laminated sheets in most of the rooms have sketchy english descriptions of some of the stuff. Font de Gaume is ten minutes down the road. The guided tour (the only way you can see it) is in french with a bit of broken english. It takes an hour. Lesaux II is a tourist trap repro judging from the outside. I've never been in, but saw the real thing years ago before they closed it to the public. I don't go to fakes, but that's personal. You might want to skip it. Beynac is too far away for your general direction of travel. It's interesting, but not worth the longish drive and retracking. Castlenaud is fine. It's easily worth a couple of hours since it's the best of the group. Goffre de Padirac is one more natual cave, no better nor no worse than all the others in the world. It wouldn't be high on my list if I were pressed for time. Rocamadour is impressive, both from the top and the bottom. It's no more tacky or touristy than any other place. A couple of or three hours there will be enough.

Pech Merle is the largest cave in europe, with the most paintings, and still the real thing, that I have come across (and I think I've only missed one - - in Spain). The tour (in french, but they give you an english pamphlet) takes about an hour. If you see only one cave, this should be it. It doesn't matter what time you get to Carcassone. In fact, I like it better at night since the throngs are gone. You'd miss the castle, but it's not a very good one. I think what I'd do is end that first day at Cahors. Head an hour north to Pech Merle the second day, then take the back roads to Carcassonne via Figeac, Albi, and Castres. You're looking at five hours of driving time, but it' d be worth it.

Thank you Ed!! So valuable. nancy

So good to know all of this, and good reminder re Pech reservations. Nancy

Worth stopping at Peche Merle, it may be a highlight of your trip. If you have extra time - - but you won't, its far to Carcassonne - - visit St Cirq. Rocomador and the Gouffre are fun but not in the same league, and you can't do them anyway, not with Pech Merle and getting to Carcasonne.

Skip Lescaux II! I agree with the other responses that Rocamadour is fabulous! We enjoyed Castelnaud too!!! Don't forget to eat and drink the wonderful cuisine!!