Stop-off in south west France? (Aquitaine/Occitanie)

[loudlashadjuster]

I will be travelling to San Sebastian in a few weeks, a trip of at least 750 miles and 13 hours according to Mr Google.

Having done that road a few times, plus the fact I don't need to be there until lunch on the day I arrive, I am not planning to do it in one hit (Bordeaux is bad enough) so I'm planning to stop somewhere around 70% of the way there to give me a shorter journey on day 2.

Probably that means stopping somewhere in this red blob, but apart from the very western edge close to Saint-Émilion etc. it's not a part of France I know at all.



I could just find a cheap Ibis on the outskirts of an nondescript place off the autoroute and simply get my head down, but in my head there is a delightful small town waiting for me where I can soak in some southern French hospitality/wine first.

Does any have any suggestions of destinations around that area that are worth checking out?

[psi310398]

At the eastern edge of your red blob there’s a pretty little town, a bit south of Clermont called Billom https://www.francethisway.com/places/billom.php ,well within a day’s drive of Caen. There are some decent chambres d’hote in the town and some pleasant restaurants in the vicinity.

Sorry if my information is a bit limited but I’m normally heading east over to Lyon and then Milan, so don’t have cause to visit the South West.

[okgo]

Cahors looks pretty.

Rocamadour looks amazing.

Albi too.

[4Q]

Carcassonne is on the bottom right of your blob.

[Bill]

Condom is very pretty.

[Rushjob]

psi310398 said:

At the eastern edge of your red blob there’s a pretty little town, a bit south of Clermont called Billom https://www.francethisway.com/places/billom.php ,well within a day’s drive of Caen. There are some decent chambres d’hote in the town and some pleasant restaurants in the vicinity.

Sorry if my information is a bit limited but I’m normally heading east over to Lyon and then Milan, so don’t have cause to visit the South West.

Literally the other side of the hill from Billom is Olliergues. A lovely little village with an interesting school.
Cheese School
We spent a cracking afternoon there, sadly one of us had to drive, but it's just something that little bit different and really tasty too.
They also do B&B so you can really enjoy the beers, wines and ciders they provide.

[gotoPzero]

Agen is nice. Not far from Cahors already mentioned. (some good wine there)

Spent several weeks there last year.

There are plenty of surrounding villages that are nice too.

[paulwirral]

okgo said:

Cahors looks pretty.

Rocamadour looks amazing.

Albi too.

Rocamadour is lovely and a nice road up to it , I used to live half hour away in sarlat la caneda , which is nice with plenty of choice of restaurants and hotels and 20 mins off the motorway , it’s 8 hours from the tunnel .
For convenience you could stay at souillac which is just off the motorway and ok , but for another twenty mins or so you’d be better off at the two others , I used to drive it all the time and it’s a long boring drive to say the least ,
We used to holiday at San seb when we lived in sarlat .

[Uncle boshy]

cognac is worth a visit

[Boxster5]

Sarlat-le-Caneda in the Dordogne is very nice just off the A20. Plenty other places around there such as Beynac, La Rocque de Gageac, Domme which are much smaller but some decent restaurants.

[Mr Magooagain]

https://www.guide-bordeaux-gironde.com/fr/tourisme...
Blaye would be a good choice. It’s not far of your direct route.

[Exiled Imp]

Boxster5 said:

Sarlat-le-Caneda in the Dordogne is very nice just off the A20. Plenty other places around there such as Beynac, La Rocque de Gageac, Domme which are much smaller but some decent restaurants.

Lots of lovely places around the Dordogne. We really enjoyed the area around Périgueux, Brantome Abbey and Bourdeilles

[loudlashadjuster]

Some great suggestions, thank you all!

[WyrleyD]

Exiled Imp said:

Boxster5 said:

Sarlat-le-Caneda in the Dordogne is very nice just off the A20. Plenty other places around there such as Beynac, La Rocque de Gageac, Domme which are much smaller but some decent restaurants.

Lots of lovely places around the Dordogne. We really enjoyed the area around Périgueux, Brantome Abbey and Bourdeilles

Also near Brantome is the Medieval village of Saint Jean de Côle.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Boxster5 said:

Sarlat-le-Caneda in the Dordogne is very nice just off the A20. Plenty other places around there such as Beynac, La Rocque de Gageac, Domme which are much smaller but some decent restaurants.

The Dordogne really is a magical place and one that we’ve been to many times. I could thoroughly recommend it, although it does need a few days as a minimum rather than an overnight stop.

[Harry H]

We're popping down that way for a wedding and planned to do exactly the same as you. Knock the biggest part of the journey on the head day one for a more relaxed morning the next day.

On recommendation of a mate we too booked a hotel in Sarlat.