Dordogne Valley

Lots of questions. My wife and I stayed just outside of Sarlet in Montford. The B&B was called La Bard and thought it was a great base. There are numerous places to stay. Having the car was a must. You would be better off picking 1 place to stay instead of changing hotels in my opinion. You will love the Dordogne.

Thank you John for your reply. If you stayed in one place, was it a problem driving back and forth, even though the distances aren't that far in the area. For example, if we stay near Rocamadour and want to take an excursion to St. Cirq Lapopie, for the day, does that work? Similarly, if we're near Sarlat, and want to see Perigueux and Brantome, is that too much of a stretch?

I would pick one place right in the valley for the whole thing. Beynac or La Roque would be great. With the time you'll save not shifting your sleeps around you can visit everything as day trips. However: Why do this back-to-Paris thing? It will eat up a whole day. Don't you have better things to do? I'd fly home from Toulouse instead, and were I to do that I might spend a night in St Cirq on the way after a visit to Peche Merle. More because I think it would be a charming overnight than because it's too far from the Dordogne.

Thanks Adam. We are flying in and out of Paris; tickets already booked. We want to spend some time in Paris at the end.

We stayed in Beynac and thought it was just about perfect for all our daytrips out. It is difficult to do it all well. Distances are short but take alotof time to get there by car as roads are slow and windy. Slo down you wil enjoy it better.

On one trip to the Dordogne, we flew into Paris, took the train to Bordeaux. One night in St. Emiliion; then drove leisurely to Brantome for one night. Beautiful little village, wonderful stay there. Then 3 nights in Domme. We wanted a town where there were more dinner ions; Beynac and la Roque were a bit small for our dining tastes! On another trip, we drove to the Dordogne from the Languedoc; we visited Peche Merle and St Cirque Lapopie on the way to the Dordogne. That trip, we stayed IN Sarlat, which we liked very much. But even in May, lots of traffic getting in and out of town to go sightseeing each day. We visited Rocamadour from Sarlat one day, wasn't too bad of a drive. We then drove up to Brive and spent the last several days of the trip in Paris. From what I've read, Perigueux isn't as deilghtful a town as a lot of others in the area. Brantome was beautiful but tiny. Enjoy - it's a great part of France!

Thanks to all who replied. We are thinking now that we should change hotels, and have less backtracking on the slow windy roads. First 2 nights near Rocamadour, then a night in St. Cirq Lapopie, then 4 nights in either La Roque Gageac or Beynac and then a final night in Brantome with a stop in Perigueux to see the old town on the way to Brantome, Then on the way back to Brive, stop and see Hautfort Castle. Comments?

Caroline,
We holiday in the Dordogne often. We stay in the same B&B outside Sarlat (Les Charmes de Carlucet). We have day tripped to each of your desired destinations without issue! I find the driving pretty easy and it's beautiful! I think you would be fine and more relaxed settling into one home base (just my opinion).

My wife, son and I are going there in about two weeks. From what I've gleaned, it's easy to have a central base and drive around.

My wife and I love the Dordogne River Valley. We have stayed at Chateau de la Treyne twice. It's a beautiful chateau overlooking the Dordogne River with it's own formal garden in the back. They had a fantastic chef in 98, but when we returned in 2007 the food was not quite the same (though still very good). From there we visited Rocamadour and especially enjoyed seeing the prehistoric caves and museum in Lascaux. Sarlat is nearby and all the towns around are so charming.
Cary T., Brea, CA