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Tailor Made Rail · Rail and self-drive holiday

Dordogne Rail-Drive Holiday

London to Bordeaux and four days exploring Dordogne by hire car

Illustration of Dordogne Rail-Drive Holiday

Tailor Made Rail's Dordogne Rail-Drive Holiday bridges rail travel and independent exploration across 6 days and 5 nights. The journey begins with Eurostar from London to Paris, then a high-speed TGV to Bordeaux, where you spend one night sampling local wine and Bordelais cuisine. On Day 2, you pick up a hire car at Bordeaux station and drive south to Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the heart of the Dordogne. From there, three full days unfold at your own pace: exploring pretty villages such as Collonges-la-Rouge, Domme, and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne; browsing food markets in Sarlat and Meyssac; canoeing or taking a traditional Gabarre boat down the river; or visiting prehistoric cave paintings in the region's grottes. On Day 6, you return the car and take the train back through Paris to London. The package suits couples and independent travellers who want rail convenience combined with the freedom to wander a single region at a slower tempo.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hire car is a Peugeot 308 or similar; final model depends on availability at the time of booking
  • Rail fares are Standard Class with seat reservations; First Class upgrade is available for an additional GBP 200 per person
  • This is an independent holiday with unguided exploration; there are no group activities or guided tours included

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bordeaux

    London to Bordeaux

    Eurostar to Paris, changing to Gare Montparnasse for a high-speed TGV to Bordeaux, arriving in just over 2 hours. Evening sampling Bordelais cuisine and local wine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Villeneuve-sur-Lot

    Dordogne & Lot

    Pick up a hire car at Bordeaux station and drive to your Dordogne base, perhaps stopping in Bergerac en route.

  3. Day 3overnight: Villeneuve-sur-Lot

    Dordogne & Lot

    Explore at your own pace: pretty villages including Collonges-la-Rouge, Domme, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Rocamadour.

  4. Day 4overnight: Villeneuve-sur-Lot

    Dordogne & Lot

    Browse the food markets of Sarlat and Meyssac, canoe or take a traditional Gabarre boat down the river, or visit prehistoric cave paintings in the region's grottes.

  5. Day 5overnight: Villeneuve-sur-Lot

    Dordogne & Lot

    Further free time to explore the Dordogne and Lot region at your own pace.

  6. Day 6rail

    Return to UK

    Drive back to Bordeaux to drop off the hire car, then a train to Paris and metro transfer to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Bordeaux by Eurostar and TGV, then sample local wine and Bordelais cuisine in the evening
  • Day 2Pick up a hire car at Bordeaux station and drive to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, with an optional stop in Bergerac
  • Day 3Visit pretty villages including Collonges-la-Rouge, Domme, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, and Rocamadour
  • Day 4Browse food markets in Sarlat and Meyssac, canoe or take a Gabarre boat down the river, or view prehistoric cave paintings

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 5 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • 4 days car hire (Peugeot 308 or similar) from Bordeaux
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
  • All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail with seat reservations from London to Paris on Eurostar, then Paris to Bordeaux on TGV, and the return journey on Day 6 are included.
Is a car included?
Yes. A 4-day hire car (Peugeot 308 or similar) from Bordeaux station is included, starting Day 2 and returning Day 6.
What are the hotels?
Mercure Bordeaux Gare Atlantique for one night and Mercure Villeneuve-sur-Lot Moulin de Madame for four nights. Breakfast is included at both.
When does it run?
Low season (November to March) starts from GBP 899 per person. High season (April to October) starts from GBP 999. Tailor Made Rail operates year-round.
How much free time is there?
Three full days (Days 3, 4, and 5) are unguided with comprehensive directions provided. You explore villages, markets, river activities, and caves at your own pace.
Can I upgrade to First Class?
Yes. First Class rail is available as an upgrade from GBP 200 per person. Hotel and car upgrades are also available.

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