Trip Overview
✅ 2 hotel check-ins only. Paris (2 nights) → Bordeaux (4 nights). All day trips by rental car. Car picked up at Bordeaux — round-trip rental, no one-way fee. All Poitiers indoor sites open Tuesday May 12. Rocamadour open Thu May 14 (Ascension — religious site). Beaulieu abbey open daily.
✅ Sarlat Wednesday market: Day 5 falls on Wednesday May 13 — the weekly market (8am–1pm) is running when you arrive ~11am. Catch the last 2 hours of local cheeses, foie gras, walnuts, and produce.
🚧 Notre-Dame la Grande (Poitiers) — Interior closed until 2027 for renovation. The Romanesque facade is visible 24/7 from outside. Interior visit not possible on this trip.
✅ Poitiers on Tuesday May 12 — all indoor sites open. Musée Sainte-Croix: 10am–5pm continuous (no lunch break on Tuesdays — free entry Tuesdays). Baptistère Saint-Jean: 2pm–6pm. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre: 9:30am–6pm. All 5 Poitiers P1 objectives accessible on Day 4.
⚠ Day 6 = Thursday May 14 = Ascension Day (Jour de l'Ascension) — French public holiday. Rocamadour sanctuary and Beaulieu Abbey are religious sites and remain open (Ascension is one of the most important Catholic feasts — Rocamadour may have special services). Château de Rocamadour ramparts: verify closer to trip — some monuments adjust hours on public holidays.
🚧 Tour Saint-Nicolas (La Rochelle) — Closed for structural consolidation work. Tour de la Chaîne and Tour de la Lanterne remain open.
Route & Transportation
OTP → CDG ✈ Fly Bucharest → Paris | Tarom/Air France direct, ~3h
Paris → Bordeaux 🚆 TGV from Montparnasse, ~2h, ~€40–70/person (book ahead) — arrive ~9:55am, pick up car at Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean
Day 3 — Day Trip: La Rochelle 🚗 Bordeaux → La Rochelle (1h 50min) — towers + old town + Vieux Port — return to Bordeaux same evening
Day 4 — Day Trip: Rochefort + Poitiers 🚗 Bordeaux → Rochefort (1h 45min) → Battle of 732 (1h 45min) → Poitiers all P1 sites → Bordeaux (~2h 30min) — long day, all objectives done
Day 5 — Day Trip: 🚗 Bordeaux → Monpazier (1h 30min) → Sarlat (45min) → Bordeaux (~2h) — Périgord loop
Day 6 — Day Trip: 🚗 Bordeaux → Rocamadour (2h 30min) → Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne (40min) → Bordeaux (2h 15min)
Bordeaux → Paris 🚆 TGV, 2h, ~€40–70/person (return rental car at Gare Saint-Jean same morning)
CDG → OTP ✈ Fly Paris → Bucharest, ~3h
💡 Rental car: Pick up Monday morning at Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean (~10:15am on TGV arrival) — drive immediately to La Rochelle. Round-trip rental: drop Friday morning at Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean (same location — no one-way fee). All major agencies at Bordeaux station (Europcar, Hertz, Avis). Book compact with full insurance (CDW + theft). Budget ~€200–280 for 4 days.
Day-by-Day Summary
| Day | Day of Week | Location | Highlights | Sleep |
|---|
| 1 | Saturday, May 9 | Paris (arrive) | Personal Paris itinerary — placeholder | Paris |
| 2 | Sunday, May 10 | Paris | Personal Paris itinerary — placeholder | Paris |
| 3 | Monday, May 11 | Paris → Bordeaux + Day trip: La Rochelle | TGV Paris→Bordeaux · Pick up car · Drive La Rochelle (~noon) · Tour de la Chaîne · Tour de la Lanterne · Old town walk · Return to Bordeaux evening | Bordeaux ① |
| 4 | Tuesday, May 12 | Day trip: Rochefort + Poitiers (all sites) | Corderie Royale · Battle of 732 · Musée Sainte-Croix ✓ (free Tues) · Cathédrale Saint-Pierre · Baptistère Saint-Jean · Notre-Dame la Grande · Battle of 1356 · Return to Bordeaux evening | Bordeaux ② |
| 5 | Wednesday, May 13 | Day trip: Monpazier → Sarlat | Monpazier bastide · Sarlat Wednesday market (8am–1pm) ✓ · medieval town · optional La Roque-Gageac — return to Bordeaux | Bordeaux ③ |
| 6 | Thursday, May 14 ⚠ Ascension | Day trip: Rocamadour → Beaulieu | Rocamadour sanctuary + château · Beaulieu abbey · Back to Bordeaux · Place de la Bourse · Wine bar (last night) | Bordeaux ④ |
| 7 | Friday, May 15 | Bordeaux → Paris → Bucharest | Return car · TGV to Paris · Fly CDG → OTP | — |
7-Day Itinerary — Hour by Hour
Priority 1 objectives · Bucharest round-trip · Rental car from Bordeaux (round-trip) · May 9–15, 2026
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Morning
Fly OTP → CDG
Tarom or Air France direct, ~3 hours. Book morning departure to arrive Paris by midday. RER B from CDG to central Paris ~45 min, €11/person.
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All day
Personal Paris itinerary — placeholder
Use your own Paris objectives list for Days 1 and 2.
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All day
Personal Paris itinerary — placeholder
Use your own Paris objectives list for Days 1 and 2.
⚠ Note for Day 3 (Monday May 11): TGV departs Paris Montparnasse ~7:55am to Bordeaux (~2h). Ensure hotel is near Montparnasse or allow 30–40 min transfer. Arrive Bordeaux ~9:55am, pick up car, drive to La Rochelle day trip. Return Bordeaux same evening. All Poitiers sites visited Tuesday May 12 — all open including Musée Sainte-Croix (free!) and Baptistère.
🚗 Day trip logistics: Bordeaux → La Rochelle ~170km / 1h 50min via A10 north. Return Bordeaux ~170km / 1h 50min. Total driving ~4h on top of TGV travel. Long day — towers open 2pm–6:30pm, well-timed after noon arrival.
🚧 Tour Saint-Nicolas is currently closed for structural work. Visit Tour de la Chaîne and Tour de la Lanterne instead — both open, combined ticket available.
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7:55am
TGV — Paris Montparnasse → Bordeaux Saint-Jean
~2h journey. Book in advance on sncf-connect.com (~€40–70/person). Arrive Bordeaux ~9:55am.
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10:15am
Pick Up Rental Car — Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean
Pre-booked at Europcar, Hertz, or Avis desk at Gare Saint-Jean (open daily from 8am). Round-trip rental — collect and drop at same location, no one-way fee.
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10:30am
🚗 Drive Bordeaux → La Rochelle — 1h 50min via A10 north
~170km. Straight run north on the A10 motorway.
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12:20pm
Arrive La Rochelle — Lunch at Vieux Port
Walk the Vieux Port — seafood lunch at a port café (moules-frites or oysters, €20–30/person). Stroll Rue du Palais and the old town arcades while waiting for towers to reopen at 2pm.
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2:00pm
Tour de la Chaîne
⏰ Open daily (Apr–Jun): 10am–12:45pm & 2pm–6:30pm · ~€9/person or combined ticket
14th-century tower that anchored the chain stretched across the harbor entrance to block enemy ships. Medieval rooms and harbor views. Allow 45 min.
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2:45pm
Tour de la Lanterne
⏰ Same hours as Tour de la Chaîne · Combined ticket recommended
Tallest of the towers (15th century). Graffiti carved by English and Spanish prisoners. Panoramic views from the top. Allow 45 min.
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3:30pm
La Rochelle Old Town Walk + Vieux Port
Covered arcaded streets (Rue du Palais, Rue du Temple), Hôtel de Ville (16th century). Harbor walk at golden hour. Allow 1 hr.
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4:30pm
🚗 Return to Bordeaux — 1h 50min via A10 south
~170km. Straight run back on the A10 motorway.
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6:20pm
Arrive Bordeaux — Check In (Base Hotel)
Hotel near Gare Saint-Jean or city center. Park car at hotel garage. Dinner in the Chartrons district or old town. First of 4 nights here.
✅ Tuesday May 12 — all Poitiers indoor sites open. Musée Sainte-Croix: 10am–5pm continuous, free entry on Tuesdays. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre: 9:30am–6pm. Baptistère Saint-Jean: 2pm–6pm. Both battlefields always accessible.
🚗 Route: Bordeaux → Rochefort (1h 45min) → north via A10 to Battle of 732 (~1h 45min) → Poitiers old town (~20min south) → Bordeaux (~2h 30min via A10). Total driving ~7h 30min. Very long day — start early, all P1 Poitiers objectives completed.
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7:30am
🚗 Bordeaux → Rochefort — 1h 45min via A10 north / D137
~145km. Early start essential — long day ahead.
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9:15am
Rochefort — Vieux Port & Arsenal District
Walk the Arsenal district and Vieux Port while waiting for Corderie Royale to open at 10am. Founded by Colbert in 1666 as Louis XIV's royal naval base. Allow 45 min walking.
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10:00am
Corderie Royale — Rochefort
⏰ Open daily 10am–1pm & 2pm–6pm (May) · Lunch break 1–2pm
Priority 1. The Corderie Royale (374m royal rope-making hall) is the longest 17th-century industrial building in France — extraordinary. Allow 1.5–2 hrs.
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12:00pm
🚗 Rochefort → Battle of 732 site — ~1h 45min via D137 / A10 north
Drive north toward Poitiers. Grab a quick lunch on the road — the Battle of 732 site is 20km north of Poitiers city center.
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1:45pm
Battle of Tours 732 — Moussais-la-Bataille
⏰ Open-air site, always accessible · Free
20km north of Poitiers. Site of Charles Martel's victory over the Umayyad army in 732 — one of the most consequential battles in European history. Monument and interpretive panels. Allow 30–40 min.
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2:25pm
🚗 Drive south to Poitiers old town — 20 min
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2:50pm
Musée Sainte-Croix
⏰ Tuesday: 10am–5pm continuous (no lunch break) · Free on Tuesdays ✓
Gallo-Roman sculpture, prehistoric artifacts, medieval collections. Allow 45 min.
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3:35pm
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
⏰ Open Tue–Sat from 9:30am · Free entry
Gothic cathedral with the oldest stained glass in France (12th century). Magnificent choir stalls. Allow 40 min.
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4:15pm
Notre-Dame la Grande — Exterior
⏰ Facade visible 24/7 · Interior closed until 2027
5 min walk. The Romanesque west facade (12th century) — finest in France. Allow 20 min.
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4:35pm
Baptistère Saint-Jean
⏰ Open April–June 20: 2pm–6pm · Closed Monday · ~€2/person
5 min walk. Oldest standing Christian building in France (4th century). Merovingian frescoes, carved sarcophagi. Allow 45 min.
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5:20pm
Battle of Poitiers 1356 — Maupertuis
⏰ Open-air site, always accessible · Free
10km southeast of Poitiers (~15 min drive). Site of the Black Prince's victory over King Jean II. Monument and commemorative panels. Allow 30 min.
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6:15pm
Quick Dinner in Poitiers
Rue des Cordeliers area. Refuel before the drive south — allow 45–60 min.
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7:15pm
🚗 Drive Poitiers → Bordeaux — 2h 30min via A10 south
~240km. Straight run south on the A10 motorway. Arrive Bordeaux ~9:45pm.
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9:45pm
Back at Bordeaux Base Hotel
Late arrival — hotel already checked in from Day 3. Park car at hotel garage. Early night before Day 5.
✅ Wednesday May 13 — Sarlat market running on arrival. The weekly Wednesday market (8am–1pm) covers Place de la Liberté and surrounding streets. Arriving ~11am means you catch the last 2 hours — local cheeses, foie gras, walnuts, truffles, duck confit, antiques.
🚗 Day trip logistics: Bordeaux → Monpazier ~135km / 1h 30min (D936 east). Monpazier → Sarlat ~60km / 45min. Sarlat → Bordeaux ~130km / 2h (D704/A89). Total driving ~4h 15min.
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7:30am
🚗 Depart Bordeaux → Monpazier — 1h 30min via D936 east
~135km. Scenic drive through the Entre-Deux-Mers wine country and into the Périgord Pourpre.
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9:00am
Monpazier — English Bastide Town
⏰ Outdoor — always accessible · Free to walk
Priority 1. Founded by Edward I of England in 1284 — the best-preserved English bastide in France. The original grid layout, central arcaded market square (Place des Cornières), and fortified gates are essentially unchanged from the 13th century. A masterpiece of medieval urban planning. Allow 1 hr.
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10:15am
🚗 Drive Monpazier → Sarlat — ~45 min via D53
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11:00am
Arrive Sarlat — Wednesday Market Still Running ✅
⏰ Wednesday market: 8am–1pm · Place de la Liberté & surrounding streets
Park outside the medieval center and walk in. Market covers Place de la Liberté, Rue de la République, and old town lanes — local cheeses, foie gras, walnuts, truffles, duck confit. Browse market stalls before exploring the medieval town. Allow 1 hr for market.
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12:00pm
Lunch in Sarlat — Market Stalls or Restaurant
Buy lunch from the last market vendors (€8–12/person vs. €20–25 at restaurants) or sit at Le Présidial or La Rapière. Allow 1 hr. Market closes at 1pm so act early for the best stalls.
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1:30pm
Continue Sarlat Walk + Optional Detour
Explore the back lanes of the medieval quarter. Optional: 15 min drive to La Roque-Gageac or Beynac-et-Cazenac — both spectacular on the Dordogne cliff, quick stops. Allow 1.5 hrs total.
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3:30pm
🚗 Return to Bordeaux — ~2h via D704 / A89 west
~130km. Straight run back on the A89 motorway.
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5:30pm
Back in Bordeaux — Dinner
Wine bar dinner in Saint-Pierre or Chartrons. Sample the local Bordeaux AOC.
⚠ Ascension Day (Jour de l'Ascension) — French public holiday. Rocamadour sanctuary: open — Ascension is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimages, expect special masses and more visitors. Beaulieu Abbey: open (religious site). Château de Rocamadour ramparts: verify closer to trip — some national monuments adjust hours on public holidays. Roads may be busier (long weekend traffic).
🚗 Day trip logistics: Bordeaux → Rocamadour ~230km / 2h 30min via A89 east. Rocamadour → Beaulieu ~40km / 40min. Beaulieu → Bordeaux ~200km / 2h 15min via A89 west. Total driving ~5h 25min. Start early — worth it for two P1 sites.
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7:00am
🚗 Depart Bordeaux → Rocamadour — 2h 30min via A89 east
~230km. Take A89 east to Brive-la-Gaillarde, then D704 south to Rocamadour.
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9:30am
Rocamadour — Grand Staircase & Sanctuary
⏰ Sanctuary chapels: open daily from 8am · Château: 10am–7pm · Free to walk; some chapels €1–2
Priority 1. Park at l'Hospitalet (upper level) for the classic panoramic view. Walk down to the Cité (village) then climb the Grand Staircase (216 steps) to the Sanctuaire: 7 chapels including the Chapel of Our Lady with the Black Madonna. Allow 2–2.5 hrs.
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10:00am
Château de Rocamadour
⏰ Open daily 9am–6pm (ramparts) · ~€3/person
Above the sanctuary. 14th-century fortified residence. Panoramic views over the canyon and pilgrimage village below.
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12:00pm
Lunch at L'Hospitalet (above Rocamadour)
Better value than the village restaurants below. Known for Rocamadour AOC goat cheese. ~45 min.
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12:45pm
🚗 Drive Rocamadour → Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne — ~40 min via D840/D14
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1:30pm
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne — Abbey of Saint-Pierre
⏰ Abbey open daily; tympanum visible from exterior at all times · Free to view
Priority 1. The 12th-century Romanesque tympanum (carved stone portal) is considered one of the finest in France — in the same league as Moissac and Vézelay. The Last Judgement carving is extraordinary in detail. Also: the old town along the Dordogne riverfront, the Chapelle des Pénitents. Allow 1.5 hrs.
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3:00pm
🚗 Return to Bordeaux — 2h 15min via A89 west
~200km. Back on the A89 motorway heading west.
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5:15pm
Bordeaux — Last Evening
Freshen up. Walk to Place de la Bourse and the miroir d'eau (water mirror) for sunset. Explore the Chartrons district.
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7:30pm
Farewell Dinner — Bordeaux
Le Chapon Fin (historic restaurant, stunning interior) or Le Pressoir d'Argent for a memorable last evening. Pair with a local Bordeaux AOC.
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7:30am
Return Rental Car — Gare Saint-Jean Bordeaux
All major agencies have desks at Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean. Drop car, collect luggage.
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8:00am
TGV Bordeaux → Paris Montparnasse
~2 hours. Book same time as Paris–Bordeaux ticket. Arrive Paris ~10am.
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10:30am
Transfer to CDG Airport
Montparnasse → CDG: RER B via Saint-Michel or taxi (~€50 flat rate). Allow 1h 15min for transfer + check-in.
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Afternoon
Fly CDG → OTP (Bucharest)
Tarom or Air France direct, ~3 hours. Book afternoon departure from CDG (2pm+ recommended given the morning transfer from Bordeaux).
Attraction Opening Hours — May 2026
Updated for actual trip dates (May 9–15, 2026). Always confirm closer to travel — hours can change.
⚠ May 1 (Labour Day): Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, La Rochelle towers, and most public sites are CLOSED. Do not plan a French public holiday for key attractions.
| Attraction | Open Days | Hours (May) | Closed | Notes |
|---|
| Louvre Museum, Paris |
Mon, Wed–Sun |
9am–9:45pm (Wed/Fri extended)
9am–6pm other days |
Tuesday · May 1 |
Book timed entry online. Visit Wednesday for extended hours. |
| Sainte-Chapelle, Paris |
Daily (exc. May 1) |
9am–9:30pm (Wed, May–Sep)
9am–7pm other days |
May 1 |
Last entry 45 min before close. Combined ticket with Conciergerie. |
| Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, Poitiers |
Tue–Sat |
9:30am–6pm |
Monday (2pm–6pm only) |
You visit Tuesday May 12 — open 9:30am–6pm ✓ Full hours available. |
| Notre-Dame la Grande, Poitiers |
Facade 24/7 |
Interior CLOSED until 2027 |
Interior renovation |
Exterior Romanesque facade fully visible. Plan 20 min for exterior viewing. |
| Musée Sainte-Croix, Poitiers |
Tue–Sun |
May hours (Oct–May 31): Tue 10am–5pm continuous; Wed–Fri 10am–12pm & 1:15pm–5pm; Sat–Sun 2pm–6pm |
Monday · Lunch break 12–1:15pm (Wed–Fri) |
You visit Tuesday May 12 — open 10am–5pm continuous (no lunch break Tuesdays). Free entry on Tuesdays ✓ |
| Baptistère Saint-Jean, Poitiers |
Tue–Sun (Apr–Jun 20) |
2pm–6pm only |
Monday · Morning closed |
You visit Tuesday May 12 — open 2pm–6pm ✓ |
| Tour de la Chaîne, La Rochelle |
Daily (exc. May 1) |
10am–12:45pm & 2pm–6:30pm |
May 1 · 1st Mon morning/month |
Note the midday closure 12:45–2pm. Combined ticket with Tour de la Lanterne. |
| Tour de la Lanterne, La Rochelle |
Daily (exc. May 1) |
10am–12:45pm & 2pm–6:30pm |
May 1 · 1st Mon morning/month |
Tallest tower, 360° views. Same ticket as Tour de la Chaîne. |
| Tour Saint-Nicolas, La Rochelle |
CLOSED — structural consolidation works (no reopening date confirmed) |
Visit Chaîne and Lanterne instead. |
| Corderie Royale, Rochefort |
Daily (Apr 4–Jun 30) |
10am–1pm & 2pm–6pm |
Closed 1pm–2pm (lunch break) |
You visit Tuesday May 12 — arrive by 10am or plan around the midday closure (1pm–2pm). Ticket office closes 45 min before closing. Open daily Apr–Jun. |
| Sarlat-la-Canéda old town |
Daily |
Outdoor — always accessible |
— |
You visit Wednesday May 13 — Wednesday market (8am–1pm) is running on arrival (~11am). Catch the last 2 hours. Saturday market (8:30am–6pm) is 2 days later and not accessible on this trip. |
| Rocamadour Sanctuary |
Daily |
Chapels from 8am–7pm (May) |
— |
Free to walk. Individual chapels may have small entry fees (~€1–2). |
| Château de Rocamadour |
Daily |
9am–6pm (ramparts year-round) |
— |
~€3/person. You visit Thursday May 14 (Ascension Day — public holiday). Verify hours closer to trip — most national monuments stay open on Ascension but confirm. Views over the canyon and sanctuary below. |
| Battle of Poitiers 1356 (Maupertuis) |
Daily |
Always accessible |
— |
Open-air site, free. 10km SE of Poitiers. Small monument. |
Hotel Recommendations
Mid-range · 2 adults · May prices · Not basic, not luxury
✅ 2 hotel check-ins only. Paris (2 nights) → Bordeaux (4 nights). All day trips by rental car — no extra hotel packing/unpacking.
Paris — 2 nights (Sat May 9 – Sun May 10)
Stay: Marais or Latin Quarter. Close to Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, and Île de la Cité.
Hôtel des Grandes Écoles
Latin Quarter · Garden courtyard · ~€130–160/night
Hôtel Émile
Le Marais · Rooftop terrace · ~€140–180/night
Hôtel Saint-Louis Marais
Île Saint-Louis · Historic building · ~€150–190/night
Budget: €260–380 (2 nights)
Bordeaux — 4 nights (Mon May 11 → Fri May 15)
Base hotel for all day trips. Stay near Gare Saint-Jean or city center — parking essential for rental car. Book with guaranteed parking.
Hôtel Mama Shelter Bordeaux
Near Gare Saint-Jean · Modern, parking available · ~€100–140/night
Hôtel de Sèze
City center · Boutique · parking nearby · ~€110–150/night
Hôtel Burdigala
City center · 4-star · valet parking · ~€150–200/night
La Maison Bord'eaux
Chartrons district · Boutique · garden · ~€130–170/night
Budget: €400–800 (4 nights)
⚠ Confirm secure overnight parking when booking — you'll have a rental car all 4 nights
Booking Tips
- Book all hotels as soon as dates are confirmed — May in Sarlat and Paris sells out fast
- Request rooms with parking info when booking in La Rochelle and Sarlat (rental car)
- booking.com or direct hotel websites — direct sometimes includes breakfast
- Ask for côté cour (courtyard side) in Paris for quieter rooms
- Sarlat hotels often have high Saturday demand — check refundable rates in case plans shift
Budget Estimate — 7 Days, from Bucharest
Round trip OTP ↔ CDG · 2 adults · Mid-range · May 2026
Full Budget Breakdown
Flights
✈ OTP → CDG (round trip, 2 pax) — Tarom/Air France€400–800
Accommodation (6 nights — 2 check-ins)
🏨 Paris — 2 nights (~€145/night avg)€290–380
🏨 Bordeaux — 4 nights (~€130/night avg)€520–800
Transportation
🚆 TGV Paris → Bordeaux (2 pax, book early)€80–140
🚆 TGV Bordeaux → Paris (2 pax, book early)€80–140
🚗 Rental car 4 days round-trip Bordeaux (compact, CDW) — no one-way fee€200–280
⛽ Fuel — hub-and-spoke day trips from Bordeaux (~1,400km total)€130–180
🚇 Paris metro + RER (CDG transfers, 2 pax)€50–80
Food
🍽 €60–70/day for 2 adults × 7 days€420–490
Attractions & Entrance Fees
🎟 Louvre (2 pax × €22)€44
🎟 Sainte-Chapelle + Conciergerie (2 pax)€40
🎟 Poitiers: Musée free (Tues!) + Baptistère (€4 × 2)€8
🎟 La Rochelle towers — combined ticket (2 pax)€36–40
🎟 Rocamadour: Château (€6) + misc€10–15
TOTAL — 2 people
€2,250–3,350
Per person: ~€1,125–1,675
Round-trip rental saves one-way fee (~€20–40). Musée Sainte-Croix free on Tuesdays (saves €16). Bordeaux hub-and-spoke — only 2 hotel check-ins.
Cost-Saving Tips
- TGV tickets: Book 60–90 days ahead on sncf-connect.com. "Ouigo" fares as low as €10/person
- Louvre: Book timed entry at louvre.fr — no queue surcharge, same price
- Sainte-Chapelle: Combined ticket with Conciergerie saves ~€4 vs. buying separately
- Musée Sainte-Croix: Free on Tuesdays — and your visit is Tuesday May 12! No entry fee for either adult.
- Sarlat market: Buy lunch from vendors (€8–12/person vs. €20–25 at restaurants)
- Rental car: Book compact class, pay online in advance — avoids station upsell. Compare Rentalcars.com vs. direct.
- Rocamadour: Parking at l'Hospitalet is cheaper than Cité parking. Town walk is free.
- Flights: Tarom OTP–CDG direct is typically cheapest. Book 8 weeks ahead.
Budget Summary by Scenario
Conservative (budget hotels, Ouigo trains)~€1,900
Recommended (mid-range)~€2,250–2,800
Comfortable (nicer hotels, flexible trains)~€3,350
All figures in euros, for 2 adults total. Does not include travel insurance (recommend ~€80–120 for 2).
Booking Order
- Flights (book first — sets your dates)
- Paris hotel (high demand in May)
- Louvre timed-entry tickets
- TGV Paris → Bordeaux + Bordeaux → Paris
- Bordeaux hotel — 4 nights with parking (book early, confirm car parking)
- Rental car — round-trip Bordeaux pickup & drop