"France 2002 & 1995" Top 5 Page for this destination France by Canadienne

France Travel Guide: 68,504 reviews and 147,929 photos

The Dordogne: September ~ October 2002

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.

Market Square in Monpazier

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.

France 1995

Abbaye de Jumieges

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.

Last visit to France: Oct 2002
Intro Updated Nov 2, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (40)

Cyrano de Bergerac Local Customs (2)

The city of Bergerac has chosen to "adopt' Rostand's character as their lost son, even though there is no solid... more travel advice

Flora of the Region Favorites (2)

I have neither a green thumb, nor a particular interest in gardening, but I love flowers and green spaces (parks,... more travel advice

Tobacco Local Customs (2)

The Perigord region is noted for its truffles and goose livers (we saw numerous goose farms. . .and twice again the... more travel advice

Chateau de Beynac Things to Do (23)

The Chateau de Beynac is also worth a visit ~ Luc Besson's Jeanne d'Arc was filmed on site, for movie buffs. The castle... more travel advice

Transportation (4)
See All Boating in Brantome
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Monpazier
Hotels (4)
See All Les Eyzies-de-Tayac

Shopping (1)
Wine Shopping in the Perigord
Tourist Traps (1)
St. Emilion
Been to France?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (26)

Pawtuxet Sep 9, 2009 at 5:40 AM Report Abuse

Lovely trip... good photos. One day I hope to visit the countryside. . . and little villages w/ great architecture and tiny alleys.
vinc_bilb Sep 3, 2008 at 1:33 AM Report Abuse

Super, great pages, I'm sharing your views, excepted perhaps for Lascaux (not dispointed by the caves itself but by the "not enough time" due to the guide pressure).
Toshioohsako Jan 26, 2008 at 12:24 PM Report Abuse

The kind of place I like. Nice photo. I lived in France but never came here. Thanks for telling me about it
JetlagCity Jun 22, 2005 at 4:04 PM Report Abuse

A splendid page on a very lovely area! Excellent tip on the cave paintings at Font-de-Gaume, I'd love to see that someday.
Henkster Feb 6, 2005 at 4:01 AM Report Abuse

very interesting to see so many rather off the beaten path places
rwlittle May 1, 2004 at 9:48 PM Report Abuse

Great tips, nice to run into a fellow Canadian fan of France! :)
Martin_S. Dec 31, 2003 at 1:17 AM Report Abuse

We also do not book our b&b's or hotels in advance. Mainly because we usually do not know on what day we will arrive anywhere ^O^. Thanks for showing another area of France we will want to visit...
dsantosh Nov 3, 2003 at 7:16 PM Report Abuse

Stevie, your pages are simply superb..hats off....Great presentation...Truly professional...
Jewels Oct 27, 2003 at 6:28 AM Report Abuse

The Brantome Caves and Grotte de Font-de-Gaume are fascinating! The french love their chateauxs, they look so romantic. Loads of info here and I love your pics.
dr.firas Oct 7, 2003 at 9:48 AM Report Abuse

C'est Vachement bien chere Stevie...une page de France come j'ai jamais vu! Merci, J'adore la France, et J'adore mon amie Stevie! ;-)