Dordogne Places tp Stay

I was there last summer and stayed in Sarlat at the Hotel Montaigne. Sarlat was a great base for everything you can do in the area: canoeing along the Dordogne, going to the caves, etc. And Sarlat itself was gorgeous! Lots to look at and eat for all ages. It's just a cool place. The Hotel Montaigne was (as R.S. says) a terrific 2-star value. Great location at the southern edge of the medieval city center with a parking lot in front. Rooms very large with a huge breakfast with great variety. No pool, however. Take a look at Sarlat's website to see a list of all the movies that have used it as a location.

I've both stayed in Sarlat and stayed in the countryside, and I much preferred the country. Sarlat IMO is worth a half day--it has a nice enough core (and sprawling, modern edges) but isn't that big or interesting. I was really surprised--i'd heard such good things about it, but Sarlat was really the lowlight of our Dordogne trip. There is a ton of traffic getting in and out of town, which I think makes it not very convenient as a base for day trips. And most hotels in the center don't have their own parking, so you have to shlep your bags from a parking lot outside the core to the hotel. That wasn't a huge deal for us but I imagine it would be less convenient with kids.

But, I know people that love Sarlat. Much of this is just personal preference. Maybe it just comes down to, how much time do you know you want to spend in town vs. out in the country. If you mostly want to see the caves, castles, etc, outside town, skip it.

I agree with Christy. We were in the Dordogne for 4 days last fall and went into Sarlat twice (took my sister to the ER and then to a pharmacy right in town to get crutches and a splint). The main downtown is quaint and scenic but there's so much more to see in the surrounding area. We stayed at a B and B in Les Eyzies called Ferme de Tayac which had a pool, and found it to be very convenient to the places we wanted to visit. The highlights were the Font du Gaume cave, the castles in Beynac and Castelnaud, a boat ride on the river and horseback riding through the woods.

Three kids--go for the pool or they'll never forgive you. With the promise of a swim later, they'll be more willing to do what you want during the day. At least that was a carrot I used when I raised my boys.

Another vote for the countryside. We stayed 5 mi out from Sarlat at a very nice B&B, Les Hautes Granges. Has a pool and beautiful gardens surrounding it--easy parking. Very quiet and nicely run. Our charming room overlooked a garden planted in Fava beans. LOads of charm & reasonably priced. Some of the hotels in Sarlat could have noisae issues if on the main street.

I'd go for the countryside too. We chose to stay central for all the main sites and we found an ideal base in Auberge de La Salvetat with a fantastic pool for the kids. Beautiful gardens and no problem with parking like in Sarlat. Charming, quiet, family run and very reasonably priced. The food was excellent and you have a choice of B&B or half-board. That would be my recommendation for a hotel in the Dordogne. Have a great time Karen

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've made a reservation at a B&B in the countryside. Happy travels!

I am travelling from Paris to Domme on July 11th or 12th but since Domme is not available on the train I will travel to Sarlat first What is the best way to get to Sarlat from Paris on the train -- I may stay over night and travel to Domme the next day by taxi

Advice anyone?

thanks
Judy

rent a car and stay in the country. le raque gagnac (ive butchered it i know) is wonderful. the belle etiole is closed because of repairs.

a wondeful but expensive b&b that is a sort walk into rock and right on the river is la manoire malatoirie (again, i might have butchered it) absolutely stunning