Hello! My husband and I are taking a September trip to France and need some advice. We are renting a car and driving to the Dordogne for a few days, and then to Beaune for wine-tasting, cycling, etc. We are hoping to split the drive from Sarlat to Beaune with an overnight somewhere. We were thinking Le Mont Dore (get some hiking in at Puy De Sancy?) .. are there any other "must-see" sites/cities in between Sarlat et Beaune?
If Le Mont Dore is a good idea, any recommendations on hotels? Food? If it's a pass, any other recommendations? Merci!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Lyon is just about on your route. It is a big city but it has some highlights textile museum, views, river . But if it is outdoors experience you wish stay w/ your plan.
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Oradour-sur-Glane isn't exactly on the way but it it's two hours north of Sarlat but it's a not-to-be missed site. I would allow 3 hours so it also may not fit your timeline.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
We stayed in Sarlat and loved it. Make sure you leave enough time to see the towns in that area. Make advance reservations for the prehistoric caves.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, California, USA
2 posts
Thanks! We plan on seeing Oradour-Sur-Glane on the drive to Sarlat from the Loire. For the drive from Sarlat to Beaune, we were hoping to find a "countryside" stopover. Has anyone visited Clermont-Ferrand? How would that compare to Le Mont Dore or other Auvergne cities?
Thanks for your help :)
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I'd skip Clermont-Ferrand. We have friends who live not far from it, and I went there with an open mind, putting aside my negative opinions from having seen the ugly outskirts on prior trips. It wasn't worth the trip. I'd suggest looking into Charroux, a magnificent medieval village less than an hour north of C-F.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I agree with Robert about Clermont-Ferrand, but Charroux doesn't really ring my bell either, at least for an overnight since it's a bit small. Le Mont Dore is okay, but nothing special, we stopped there for lunch once and if there wasn't a market in progress would have split immediately. You're only looking at a five hour drive, probably less since it's all freeway after Brive. You're going to need a place that can entertain you for an afternoon and an evening with a few good choices of places to eat. For me, it would be Montlucon.