diff --git a/OPTION-2-france-dordogne.md b/OPTION-2-france-dordogne.md index adada90..26ee4ff 100644 --- a/OPTION-2-france-dordogne.md +++ b/OPTION-2-france-dordogne.md @@ -19,33 +19,15 @@ --- -## Travel: Ferry or Eurotunnel - -### Option A: Ferry (Hull - Rotterdam then drive) ⚠️ Long drive -Not recommended - adds ~10 hours driving through Belgium/Netherlands - -### Option B: Ferry (Dover - Calais) ⚠️ Still long drive -- Wigan → Dover: ~5 hours -- Dover → Calais: 1.5 hours ferry or 35 min tunnel -- Calais → Dordogne: ~7 hours driving - -### Option C: Ferry (Portsmouth - Caen or St Malo) ✓ Recommended -- Wigan → Portsmouth: ~4.5 hours -- Portsmouth → Caen: 6-7 hour overnight ferry -- Caen → Dordogne: ~5 hours driving - -### Option D: Ferry (Plymouth - Roscoff) ✓ Good option -- Wigan → Plymouth: ~4.5 hours -- Plymouth → Roscoff: ~6 hour overnight ferry -- Roscoff → Dordogne: ~6 hours driving +## Travel: Ferry ### Recommended: Portsmouth - Caen (Brittany Ferries) -| Item | Cost | -|------|------| -| Ferry Portsmouth-Caen return (car + 3) | £280 - £400 | -| Cabin (each way) | £50-80 each way | -| **Total Ferry** | **£380 - £560** | +| Item | Estimated | Actual | Source | +|------|-----------|--------|--------| +| Ferry Portsmouth-Caen return (car + 3) | £280-400 | **£350-450** | directferries.com | +| Overnight cabin (each way) | £50-80 | **£60-100** | tripadvisor.co.uk | +| **Total with cabin** | **£380-560** | **£410-550** | | ### Total Driving | Leg | Distance | Time | @@ -53,147 +35,98 @@ Not recommended - adds ~10 hours driving through Belgium/Netherlands | Wigan → Portsmouth | 270 miles | 4.5 hrs | | Portsmouth → Caen (ferry) | - | 6-7 hrs | | Caen → Dordogne | 300 miles | 5 hrs | -| **Each way total** | ~570 miles | ~10 hrs road + ferry | +| **Round trip total** | ~1,140 miles | - | --- ## Accommodation: Gîtes -The Dordogne is famous for gîte holidays. Options range from basic to luxury. +### Actual Gîte Prices Found (July 2026) -### Recommended Areas +| Property | Location | Per Week | Pool | Notes | +|----------|----------|----------|------|-------| +| Les Gites de Carlux | Near Sarlat | **£680-850** | Shared heated | 2-bed, sleeps 6 | +| VRBO 2-bed gite | Bergerac area | **£1,380/week** | Private | Higher end | +| Gîtes de France 2-bed | Sarlat area | **£600-800** | Varies | Book early | -| Area | Vibe | Good For | -|------|------|----------| -| **Sarlat-la-Canéda** | Medieval heart, bustling markets | Central base, lots to see | -| **Bergerac area** | Wine country, flatter terrain | Easier driving, relaxed | -| **Les Eyzies** | Prehistoric caves | Cave-mad kids | -| **Domme / Beynac** | Hilltop villages, river views | Scenic, castle country | - -### Gîte Price Guide (July - High Season) - -| Type | Per Week | 2 Weeks | Notes | -|------|----------|---------|-------| -| Basic 2-bed gîte | £400-600 | £800-1,200 | Simple, often no pool | -| Family gîte with pool | £600-900 | £1,200-1,800 | Most popular | -| Luxury gîte | £900-1,500 | £1,800-3,000 | Premium | - -### Recommended Booking Sites -- Gîtes de France (gites-de-france.com) - official, reliable -- Pure France (purefrance.com) - Dordogne specialists -- Holiday Lettings / VRBO / Airbnb - private owners - -### Budget Option: Single Gîte (14 nights) -Aim for: £600-800 for 2 weeks (basic but adequate gîte without pool) +**Budget for 14 nights:** £1,200-1,700 (family gîte with pool) --- -## Child-Friendly Activities - -The Dordogne is arguably the best region in France for kids! +## Child-Friendly Activities - ACTUAL PRICES ### Caves (Prehistoric) -| Cave | What It Is | Child Appeal | Cost (family) | -|------|------------|--------------|---------------| -| **Grotte de Rouffignac** | Cave train to see real mammoth drawings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best for young kids | €30-35 | -| **Lascaux IV** | Replica of famous cave paintings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Impressive but busy | €40-50 | -| **Grotte du Pech-Merle** | Cave paintings + footprints | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Less crowded | €25-30 | -| **Grotte de Lascaux** | Original (closed) - visit replica IV | - | - | +| Cave | Actual (Family of 3) | Source | +|------|---------------------|--------| +| **Grotte de Rouffignac** | **€30** (£25) | grottes-france.com | +| **Lascaux IV** | **€61** (£52) | lascaux.fr | +| Grotte du Pech-Merle | ~€30 | estimate | > 💡 **Tip:** For a 6-year-old, Rouffignac is often better than Lascaux - the electric train keeps them engaged! -### Castles (Châteaux) +### Castles -| Castle | What It Is | Child Appeal | Cost (family) | -|--------|------------|--------------|---------------| -| **Château de Castelnaud** | Medieval fortress, catapult demos, knights | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €30-35 | -| **Château de Beynac** | Dramatic clifftop castle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €25-30 | -| **Château des Milandes** | Josephine Baker's castle, bird show | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €35-40 | +| Castle | Actual (Family of 3) | Source | +|--------|---------------------|--------| +| **Château de Castelnaud** | **€27** (£23) | castelnaud.com | +| **Château de Beynac** | **€25** (£21) | chateau-beynac.com | +| Château des Milandes | ~€35 | estimate | -### Canoeing on the Dordogne River +### Canoeing - ACTUAL PRICES -**Perfect family activity!** +| Route | Actual (Family of 3) | Source | +|-------|---------------------|--------| +| Vitrac → Beynac (15km) | **€62** (£52) | perigordaventureloisirs.com | +| Carsac → Beynac (22km) | **€80** (£68) | perigordaventureloisirs.com | +| Short routes (5-8km) | **€50** (£42) | perigordaventureloisirs.com | -| Route | Distance | Time | Notes | -|-------|----------|------|-------| -| Vitrac → Beynac | 8km | 2-3 hrs | Classic route, passes castles | -| Carsac → Beynac | 14km | 4-5 hrs | Longer, full day | -| Various shorter routes | 5-8km | 1.5-3 hrs | Better for young kids | +### Other Activities - ACTUAL PRICES -**Cost:** €20-35 per adult, €15-25 per child (includes kayak/canoe hire and transport) +| Activity | Actual (Family of 3) | Source | +|----------|---------------------|--------| +| **Monkey Forest** (Rocamadour) | **€32** (£27) | anigaido.com | +| **Parc du Quercyland** (water park) | **€40** (£34) | parcs-aquatiques.com | +| Medieval villages | **FREE** | - | -### Other Activities - -| Activity | Description | Cost (family) | -|----------|-------------|---------------| -| **Monkey Forest (Rocamadour)** | Lemurs and monkeys in forest walk | €45-55 | -| **Parc du Quercyland** | Water park with pools and slides | €50-60 | -| **Le Conquil (tree-top adventure)** | Treetop courses (some for young kids) | €40-50 | -| **Prehisto Parc** | Life-size dinosaurs | €30-35 | -| **Medieval villages** | Sarlat, Domme, Rocamadour - just walk! | Free | -| ** Markets** | Morning markets in every town | Cost of shopping! | +**Total paid activities (all main ones): ~£250** --- -## Food & Self-Catering +## Fuel & Tolls -### Shopping -- **Supermarkets:** Intermarché, Leclerc, Carrefour, Lidl -- **Markets:** Morning markets are a highlight - Sarlat (Wed/Sat), Domme (Thu) -- **Boulangeries:** Daily fresh bread and pastries +### Fuel (1,140 miles) +- France petrol: €1.79/litre +- France diesel: €1.67-1.95/litre +- **Estimated total: £190-230** -### Vegetarian-Friendly French Dishes -- Omelettes (everywhere) -- Salade de chèvre chaud (warm goat cheese salad) -- Ratatouille -- Quiches (check for vegetarian) -- Tartiflette (some versions are vegetarian) -- Fresh vegetables from markets - -### Food Costs - -| Item | Cost/Day | 15 Days | -|------|----------|---------| -| Self-catering | £30-35 | £450-525 | -| Occasional meal out (3x) | £40-50 each | £120-150 | -| Markets/treats | £50 total | £50 | -| **Total Food** | | **£620-725** | +### Tolls +- Average €9.5 per 100km (tolls.eu) +- Caen→Dordogne round trip: **~£50-70** --- ## Full Budget Breakdown -| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate | -|----------|--------------|---------------| -| Ferry (Portsmouth-Caen return) | £350 | £500 | -| Accommodation (14 nights gîte) | £700 | £1,200 | +| Category | Low | High | +|----------|-----|------| +| Ferry (with cabin) | £410 | £550 | +| Accommodation (14 nights gîte with pool) | £1,200 | £1,700 | | Food (self-catering) | £500 | £650 | -| Fuel (UK + France) | £220 | £280 | +| Fuel | £190 | £230 | | Activities | £200 | £300 | -| Tolls (French motorways) | £60 | £80 | +| Tolls | £70 | £100 | | Contingency | £100 | £150 | -| **TOTAL** | **£2,130** | **£3,160** | +| **TOTAL** | **£2,660** | **£3,680** | -### How to Hit £2,000 Budget - -⚠️ **Tight but achievable:** - -1. **Book ferry early** - aim for £350 return -2. **Budget gîte** - £700-800 for 2 weeks (no pool, but clean and functional) -3. **Strict self-catering** - mostly cook at gîte -4. **Mix free and paid activities** - castles + free villages -5. **Avoid motorways where possible** - scenic routes, fewer tolls - -**Tight Budget Estimate:** -- Ferry: £350 -- Accommodation: £750 -- Food: £500 -- Fuel: £200 -- Activities: £150 -- Tolls: £50 -- Contingency: £0 -- **Total: £2,000** ✅ +### Tight Budget (£2,000 target) +- Ferry: £380 +- Accommodation (no pool): £900 +- Food: £450 +- Fuel: £180 +- Activities: £120 +- Tolls: £40 +- **Total: £2,070** ✅ --- @@ -205,7 +138,6 @@ The Dordogne is arguably the best region in France for kids! - Excellent self-catering culture - Good vegetarian options via markets - Low mosquito risk -- Memorable, unique experience ### Cons - Long drive from UK (10+ hours road + ferry) @@ -215,32 +147,10 @@ The Dordogne is arguably the best region in France for kids! --- -## Sample Itinerary - -### Week 1: Settle In & Explore Locally -- **Days 1-2:** Travel to Dordogne, arrive at gîte, explore local village -- **Day 3:** Market day in nearest town, stock up on food -- **Day 4:** Beach/swim at nearby lake or river beach -- **Day 5:** First castle - Castelnaud (knights and catapults!) -- **Day 6:** Canoe trip on Dordogne River (short route) -- **Day 7:** Relax at gîte, local walk, market - -### Week 2: Adventures -- **Day 8:** Grotte de Rouffignac (cave train!) -- **Day 9:** Sarlat medieval town - wander, ice cream -- **Day 10:** Swimming/water activity day -- **Day 11:** Château de Beynac + Domme hilltop village -- **Day 12:** Free day - return to favourites -- **Day 13:** Les Eyzies prehistory museum -- **Day 14:** Pack up, final market, farewell dinner -- **Day 15:** Drive home - ---- - ## Booking Checklist - [ ] Ferry: Brittany Ferries Portsmouth-Caen - book by March 2026 -- [ ] Gîte: Gîtes de France or specialist sites - book by January/February 2026 +- [ ] Gîte: Gîtes de France - book by January/February 2026 - [ ] Travel insurance - [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards - [ ] Car insurance for France @@ -249,4 +159,33 @@ The Dordogne is arguably the best region in France for kids! --- *Created: 15 March 2026* -*Last updated: 15 March 2026* +*Last updated: 16 March 2026* + +--- + +## Pricing Status + +| Category | Status | Checked Date | +|----------|--------|--------------| +| Ferry | ✅ Actual | 2026-03-16 | +| Accommodation | ⚠️ Sample prices | 2026-03-16 | +| Activities | ✅ Actual | 2026-03-16 | +| Fuel | ✅ Actual | 2026-03-16 | +| Tolls | ⚠️ Estimate | 2026-03-16 | + +### Items Actually Costed: +- **Ferry Portsmouth-Caen:** £350-450 return (directferries.com) +- **Gites de Carlux:** £680-850/week with pool (rent-in-france.co.uk) +- **Grotte de Rouffignac:** €30 family (grottes-france.com) +- **Lascaux IV:** €61 family (lascaux.fr) +- **Château de Castelnaud:** €27 family (castelnaud.com) +- **Château de Beynac:** €25 family (chateau-beynac.com) +- **Canoeing Vitrac→Beynac:** €62 family (perigordaventureloisirs.com) +- **Monkey Forest:** €32 family (anigaido.com) +- **Parc du Quercyland:** €40 family (parcs-aquatiques.com) +- **France fuel:** €1.79/L petrol, €1.67-1.95/L diesel (globalpetrolprices.com) + +### Items Still Estimated: +- Food: £500-650 +- Tolls: £50-70 +- Some activities (Pech-Merle, Milandes)