ssinny

We are likely going to visit the Dordogne region next year for a bike tour, and will be there a week or so. Flying in and out of Paris, and will have one or two nights to plan for before the tour and a night in Paris at the end. My question is about the day/s on the front end. Does it make sense to fly into Paris and immediately head down to Bordeaux or Toulouse for 2 nights, then take the train to our starting point in the Dordogne from there? Or is two nights not enough time to spend in Bordeaux/Toulouse to justify the detour and is it better to just spend a night or two in Paris before taking the train to the Dordogne? We have been to Paris several times but not Bordeaux or Toulouse, but the logistics of this trip are kind of confusing to me. Any opinions are appreciated!

kja

I haven’t been to Bordeaux, but FWIW, I love Toulouse. For my interests (wide ranging) and my preferred travel pace (on the go from morning to night), two full days were not quite enough.

Christina

I've been to both and liked both, but Toulouse better. Two days is fine for Bordeaux and it's a lot easier and quicker from Paris, so that's what I'd do. Only about 2.5 hrs by train from there to Sarlat, for example. I don't know how you plan to get to Toulouse from Paris but seems like that would eat up a lot of time. Probably by train which takes maybe 5 hrs and goes thru Bordeaux anyway.

FTOttawa

It looks like Christina is correct, and Bordeaux can be one direct TGV ride from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, in less than four hours.

Two nights there was just right for recovering from jet lag, dining well, and wandering a pretty, pedestrian-oriented city.

bilboburgler

Both cities interesting but not especially fantastic. If I had to choose I'd go to Bordeaux. Great shopping, good cycling and bike renting, and great wine.

ssinny

Thanks for the responses. If it makes any difference, we will be starting our tour in either Souillac or Brive-la-Gaillarde. But I am inclined now to go to Bordeaux for the first two nights.

FTOttawa

Check sncf-connect.com for your options. If the trip is not within the next few months, check for the same day of the week this November or December.

Brive-la-Gaillarde seems to have some direct service from Bordeaux, though both Brive and Souillac are better connected to Toulouse.

Going directly to Brive on arrival in France is also an option, though a long ride. It's a pretty town.