holiday-plans/OPTION-2-france-dordogne.md

# Option 2: France - Dordogne

## Overview
**Destination:** Dordogne département, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, SW France  
**Duration:** 15 nights (18 July - 2 August 2026)  
**Travel Method:** Self-drive via ferry or Eurotunnel  
**Best For:** Castles, caves, canoeing, medieval villages, relaxed countryside  

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## Why This Works

✅ **Low mosquito risk** - Dordogne not known for mosquitoes; avoid marshy areas (Camargue)  
✅ **Self-catering paradise** - Region famous for gîtes; loads of options  
✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - Fresh markets, local produce, French vegetarian cooking  
✅ **Amazing for kids** - Caves with paintings, castles with knights, canoeing  
✅ **Car essential** - Rural region; your car perfect for exploring  
✅ **Value for money** - More affordable than Provence or Brittany coast  

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## Travel: Ferry

### Recommended: Portsmouth - Caen (Brittany Ferries)

| 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 |
|-----|----------|------|
| Wigan → Portsmouth | 270 miles | 4.5 hrs |
| Portsmouth → Caen (ferry) | - | 6-7 hrs |
| Caen → Dordogne | 300 miles | 5 hrs |
| **Round trip total** | ~1,140 miles | - |

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## Accommodation: Gîtes

### Actual Gîte Prices Found (July 2026)

| 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 |

**Budget for 14 nights:** £1,200-1,700 (family gîte with pool)

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## Child-Friendly Activities - ACTUAL PRICES

### Caves (Prehistoric)

| 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

| 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 - ACTUAL PRICES

| 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 |

### Other Activities - ACTUAL PRICES

| 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** | - |

**Total paid activities (all main ones): ~£250**

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## Fuel & Tolls

### Fuel (1,140 miles)
- France petrol: €1.79/litre
- France diesel: €1.67-1.95/litre
- **Estimated total: £190-230**

### Tolls
- Average €9.5 per 100km (tolls.eu)
- Caen→Dordogne round trip: **~£50-70**

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## Full Budget Breakdown

| Category | Low | High |
|----------|-----|------|
| Ferry (with cabin) | £410 | £550 |
| Accommodation (14 nights gîte with pool) | £1,200 | £1,700 |
| Food (self-catering) | £500 | £650 |
| Fuel | £190 | £230 |
| Activities | £200 | £300 |
| Tolls | £70 | £100 |
| Contingency | £100 | £150 |
| **TOTAL** | **£2,660** | **£3,680** |

### Tight Budget (£2,000 target)
- Ferry: £380
- Accommodation (no pool): £900
- Food: £450
- Fuel: £180
- Activities: £120
- Tolls: £40
- **Total: £2,070** ✅

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## Pros & Cons

### Pros
- Incredible for kids (caves, castles, canoeing)
- Beautiful countryside and villages
- Excellent self-catering culture
- Good vegetarian options via markets
- Low mosquito risk

### Cons
- Long drive from UK (10+ hours road + ferry)
- July is peak season - book early
- Can be hot (30°C+ some days)
- Rural - need to drive everywhere

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## Booking Checklist

- [ ] Ferry: Brittany Ferries Portsmouth-Caen - book by March 2026
- [ ] Gîte: Gîtes de France - book by January/February 2026
- [ ] Travel insurance
- [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards
- [ ] Car insurance for France
- [ ] European breakdown cover

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*Created: 15 March 2026*  
*Last updated: 16 March 2026*

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## 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)