Southern France/Dordogne

[sarbruis]

I'm planning a trip next spring to France, and I'd like to spend a few days in the Dordogne area, exploring and seeing a few chateaux. There's a hostel in Perigueux that looks all right, but my question is: Are the chateaux areas accessible on foot (I don't mind walking far), or is it possible to rent a bike and see some of these places that way? More generally, my question is: How can I see some of the chateaux in the Dordogne region without a car?

Also, the same question for the Loire Valley chateaux.

Thanks a lot.

[Esterina]

I myself can't help you with your question, but I wanted to wish you a warm welcome on the boards !

[sarbruis]

Thanks. I'm glad I found it; it's been really helpful so far.

[Legitikick]

I'm sorry I can't give you specific advice about that chateau, but usually there's at least a portion of them open to the public, if not the whole thing. But unless there's something I don't know about that area, they're not that close together, so it'd be tough to see many of them by bike.

[Legitikick]

Maybe not what you were asking . . . but go to Montpellier, I really loved that city. Probably my favorite city in France, besides Paris, really cool windy city streets, really has that midevel feeling.

And for a cool chateau, go to Carcassonne. There's an old city surrounded by the old castle walls, with moats and drawbrdiges and all. Several movies have been recorded here . . . can't remember which ones. I swung by here on a bike tour this summer, if I have time later I'll post some pics.

[sarbruis]

Where did you stay in Montpellier? I'd rather stay there than Marseille, but I can't find any hostels there.

[Legitikick]

There is a hostel there . . . I think it was a Youth Hostel International, not sure of the exact name. Ummmm . . . can't help ya there much, I remember is was really hard to find, but there are some signs around the city directing you to it. I think the tourist office told me about it.

The tourist offices in France are probably the best in Europe, they really are there to help you, not make a cut by directing you to expensive hotels like in the other countries.

[arronm39]

I spent four days in the Dordogne region back in '02. Most of the chateaux weren't reachable by foot unless you were staying in a city like Castelnaud since the chateaux is in the center of the village. Most of the chateaux are easily reached by bus, though. I would definitely recommend seeing Rocamadour as well. Canoe trips down the Dordogne River are also available and a good way to go village to village seeing different chateaux.

[worldwidemike]

And don't forget that is the area where you can visit some of those caves that where the walls were painted by early man...

worldwidemike