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
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
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 |
- |
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)
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
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
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 ✅
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
Booking Checklist
Created: 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)
Sean C
d8ab7c5b4b