"France 2002 & 1995" a France Travel Page by Canadienne

In September 2002, I met my mother in Paris and we flew to Bordeaux together ~ we rented a car and spent the next two weeks travelling along the Dordogne. This area is known to the French as the Perigord.

Outstanding highlights ~ Monpazier is a stunning bastide and it was a perfect place to spend our first days; Rocamodour, although touristy, still offers amazing views and a bit of exercise; Sarlat in time for a market day is un-missable; a Gabarre (boat) ride in La Roque Gageac; Beynac & Castelnaud chateaux; Brantome, The Venice of the Dordogne; and, finally, Bergerac ~ which had a poor write-up in the Rough Guide, but is an incredibly sweet and interesting place.

Final thoughts ~ there is beauty everywhere ~ but the Perigord definitely requires slowing your pace and relaxing. It took me a few days to turn my work/city-mode off and fully apprecieate the rhythm of the region.

One of my favourite scenes from my trip to the Perigord ~ our first nights were spent in a lovely bastide called Monpazier. The covered market was hosting an arts & crafts sale the day after we arrived ~ this empty square in the photograph was packed with stands and stalls filled with handicrafts and local people. It was a wonderful beginning for the trip.

I travelled in France on my own in 1995 ~ it was a month-long a break from University. My trip began with 6 days in Paris (just about the perfect amount of time), then I continued on to Normandy (Rouen, Lillebonne, Le Havre, Caen, Mont St. Michel), Brittany (Rennes), the Loire (Tours, Loches, Amboise) and finally Poitou (Poitiers ~ to visit a pen pal from high school).

I've just scanned in some of my photos from this trip and will be adding commentary over the next few days.