Quote: Originally posted by KeithChesterfield on 30/1/2019
We were in the Dordogne in April for a month in 2017.
It was around 25 deg during the day for three weeks but bitterly cold at night.
Last year the temperatures were much lower by day, weather variable and not too cold at night.
Videos of Aires we stayed at are on my Youtube channel
If it rains there's no shortage of fantastic caves to visit, many with amazing wall paintings. Plenty of museums and castles, too. If you're interested in prehistory it's one of the best areas in the world!
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 29/1/2019
I would recommend visiting Sarlat if you haven’t in previous visits to the area.
Sarlat area is looking promising at the moment - like the idea of visiting without the summer crowds.
In the space of a few kilometres along the river to the South of Sarlat, Beynac, Chateau Milandes, Castlenaud,Marqueyssac Gardens, Roque Gageac and Domme are all well worth a visit - it is one of the most beautiful areas of France.
We've had many holidays in the area and moved out to live out here last July.
Not sure what campsites will be open as the bulk tend to open May time - pretty sure Soliel Plage - right on the river at Vitrac - opens early April, and La Bouysse next door a week or two later. Both have the added advantage of a "back way" into Sarlat to the huge LeClerc supermarket.
All the above can easily be reached comfortably in less than half an hour from those campsites.
Thanks for all the helpful comments. Sarlat area definitely top of the list for April now - sounds amazing.
Any advice on the best route from Cherbourg (our caravan is stored about an hour from there)? Don’t mind paying some tolls to avoid cities or twisty roads (the dog isn’t happy with lots of stop-starts, roundabouts and bends!!!) but not toll motorway for the whole journey if possible. We’d also be looking to break the journey at a couple of nice places on the way, spending 2 or 3 nights at each, so it wouldn’t need to be the most direct route.
Post last edited on 31/01/2019 13:33:49
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Camping Huttopia Sarlat has ACSI discount from 5th April. We have used the site many times, it is an uphill pull from the town, but walkable. However it is terraced with steep hills, so may not be advisable for your unit. Take a look at the reviews on here.
Another time we used Les Deux Vallees at Vezac, ACSI discount from 28th March. Walkable to village and river, but need to drive to Sarlat, and therefore find somewhere to park, tricky on market day.
Carparks Sarlat - Rue du Breuil/Place de la Libération OR roadside Allée des Acacias across the top of the Cemetery (not the main carpark)- never been disappointed at either one even on market days in the summer.
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 31/1/2019
Thanks for all the helpful comments. Sarlat area definitely top of the list for April now - sounds amazing.
Any advice on the best route from Cherbourg (our caravan is stored about an hour from there)? Don’t mind paying some tolls to avoid cities or twisty roads (the dog isn’t happy with lots of stop-starts, roundabouts and bends!!!) but not toll motorway for the whole journey if possible. We’d also be looking to break the journey at a couple of nice places on the way, spending 2 or 3 nights at each, so it wouldn’t need to be the most direct route.
Post last edited on 31/01/2019 13:33:49
Never towed a van so wouldn't be too sure about distances you can do in a day, and a lot of sites won't be open until May.
Would tend to head for Le Mans then Tours.
A good staging post could well be Le Sabot at Azay Le Rideau near Tours - lovely riverside site, short walk into town, couple of minutes in car from supermarket - opens end of March.Used it many a time to break the journey to the Dordogne (albeit from the tunnel).
A20 autoroute from S of Loire is free until just after Brive La Gaillarde - and only a couple of euros on to Souillac which is probably easiest entrance to Dordogne S of Sarlat - D804 / D703 all the way from Souillac to the area I previously recommended.
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 31/1/2019
Thanks for all the helpful comments. Sarlat area definitely top of the list for April now - sounds amazing.
Any advice on the best route from Cherbourg (our caravan is stored about an hour from there)? Don’t mind paying some tolls to avoid cities or twisty roads (the dog isn’t happy with lots of stop-starts, roundabouts and bends!!!) but not toll motorway for the whole journey if possible. We’d also be looking to break the journey at a couple of nice places on the way, spending 2 or 3 nights at each, so it wouldn’t need to be the most direct route.
Post last edited on 31/01/2019 13:33:49
from Cherbourg we head for le Mans and then Tours and on to Poitiers
( we use autoroute from Le Mans through Tours). At Poitiers we move onto the N10 - Angoulême - Perigueux - then either Sarlat or Le Bugue depending on the site you choose. Le Sabot as Longol says is a nice site and is close to town but check the opening dates - ( possibly 5 April ish). A decent and worthwhile stop off after that would be Brantôme ( maybe camping Peyrelevade? open sale April I think). From Brantôme down to the Dordogne is 2 hours towing. Puynal nr Brantôme would be open early April.