The Lot and/or Dordogne areas

they're so close you can drive through both areas within a week, so it doesn't matter where you stay, as far as you find a good spot. maybe you see a difference in terms of rental, but food/wine sold in markets are about the same price. maybe salart's restaurants are a little pricy, but otherwise you'll be fine either way.

Hi Joni We stayed in a bed and breakfast that also has several gites in the small village of Albas. It's near Cahors and right on the Lot River. The owners live in the big house on the site and two of the rooms there are part of the B&B. Next door is a gite and there is one across the street. I think they manage another nearby. Albas is very small with just one restaurant, but there are lots of larger villages nearby. Cahors is about 20 miles away. The owners, Justin (English) and Robin (American) were extreemly helpful and great hosts. I've only viewed the gites on line but since you're not getting many responses, at least here' a lead. http://www.lotfrance.com/

I haven't spent much time in the Lot, and a bit more time in the Dordogne. I would say that (generally) there's more to see and do in the Dordogne area. This is particularly true if you're interested in castles and prehistoric sites. So probably true that there are fewer tourists in the Lot. But it all depends on what you're specifically interested in, whether it's in the Lot or the Dordogne.

We didn't get to the Lot region as we rented a house high on a cliff in La Roque Gageac, which you see in Rick Steves' DVD or any riverview picture of the Dordogne. The house cost much less than a hotel and we loved going to the store in Sarlat to buy food. If you are interested, I will try to find the name of the rental agency. It's based here in the US and is an offshoot of Untours.

Dordogne is a must!! We have traveled both and we enjoyed the Lot but fell head over heals for the Dordogne area. Stay here Les Charmes de carlucet not far from Sarlat. You will never regret it and will desire to return.