We will be leaving Sarlat and heading to Paris for 8 days. Our original plan was to drive to Paris. We are now thinking of ditching our rental car and taking a train back to Paris. The train from Sarlat takes us to Bordeuax and then up to Paris and is $122, and takes 5 hours 15. We could drive to Bordeaux in 2 1/2 hours. The train to Paris is 3 1/2 hours, and costs $93. I'm thinking of driving to Limoges ( just over 2 hours) where we can get a train for $72 (3 1/2 hours). The drive is almost 6 hours to Orly, and then another hour into the city. Has anyone dumped a car in Limoges? It will be a Sunday. Taking the train will get us into Paris mid afternoon; driving will get us there around 5. We will have to rent the car an additional day to drive, plus tolls, gas and train ride into Paris. I'm a bit concerned about the traffic on a Sunday in Dordogne.
Thanks
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
the traffic is actually better than you think. if you want to return car on sunday better check if the rental office is open - it may close on weekend. assuming you have a car to explore dordogne when you're in salart, but if not highly recommend you get one.
Posted by
Mount Vernon, WA, United States
11 posts
Nancy, My friend and I drove from Sarlat to Limoges (we rented the car in Arles 4 or 5 days before) -- an AVIS car, if I recall. It was a snap, but it wasn't a Sunday, so I don't know how that'll impact your experience. The agency was actually in the train station, and the return lot was next to the train station, on what I am guessing was the south side. All in all, it was a pretty smooth experience, although we went driving around Limoges for a little while and sort of got lost. It was convenient to arrive in Paris by train and not have to fight traffic, so on the whole, I'd say it was the right move. Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Boston
179 posts
Unfortuately, Avis if closed all week-end. We've decided to drive to Orly and take the train into Paris.
Thanks
Posted by
columbus, nc
294 posts
Avis has an office at the Bordeaux train station. It is an easy drive from Sarlat and easy to find.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You might also consider taking the (no TGV) train from Brive, which is not far from Sarlat. The 9 AM train will get you into town by 1:20 PM. Not bad! A later train by 5. I'm not sure of the car-return logistics. Can you return the car in Sarlat on Saturday? If so you could take a cab to Brive (or to Souillac, on the same train line but a little closer to Sarlat), cab fare offset by savings returning the car a day early. Maybe.
Posted by
OP
Boston
179 posts
Thank you.
We decided to drive from Sarlat, drop the car at Orly and take whatever public transportation into Paris, hopefully ending up at our hotel near St. Sulpice church. Seems easiest.