DORDOGNE - France 2014 - page 638

Yourtourisover,butmakesureyoutaketimeforapoeticramblethroughthetown's
quiet side—or, better yet, stroll any of Sarlat's lanes after dark. This is the only town in
France illuminated by gas lamps, which cause the warm limestone to glow, turning the ro-
mance of Sarlat up even higher. Now may also be a good time to find a café and raise a
toast to Monsieur Malraux.
Sleeping in Sarlat
Even with summer crowds, Sarlat is the train traveler's best home base. Note that in July
andAugust,somehotelsrequirehalf-pension,andhotelsindowntownSarlatbookupfirst.
Parking can be a headache—drivers will find rooms and parking more easily just outside
the town (see “Near Sarlat” on here ) or in the nearby villages and destinations described
later, under “The Best of the Dordogne River Valley” (most are a 15-minute drive away).
Hotels in the Town Center
$$$ Hôtel Plaza Madeleine*** is a central and upscale three-star value with professional
(and impersonal) service, comfortable lounges, and 39 smart rooms with every comfort.
You'll find a generously sized pool out back, a sauna, and a Jacuzzi—all free for guests
(standard Db-€120-155, most at €120; bigger Db-€155-198, extra person-€25, several
connecting rooms for families, air-con, elevator, guest computer, Wi-Fi, garage-€12, at
north end of ring road at 1 Place de la Petite Rigaudie, tel. [phone], www.plaza-
madeleine.com , [e-mail] ) .
$$ La Villa des Consuls***, a cross between a B&B and a hotel, occupies a 17th-
centuryhomeburiedonSarlat'squietsidewith13lovely,spaciousroomswithmicrowave
ovensandrefrigerators; mostalsohaveakitchen andalivingroom.Theroomssurrounda
small courtyard and come with wood floors, private decks, and high ceilings. English-flu-
entDavidisparticularlyhelpful.Hepriceshisroomstoencouragelongerstays;theserates
are for stays of two to six nights (Db-€79-102, big Db/Tb/Qb-€109-165, 10 percent more
for 1-night stays, less for 7 or more days, air-con, guest computer, Wi-Fi, free washers and
dryers, garage-€9/day, train station pickup-€7, 3 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, tel. 05 53 31
90 05, www.villaconsuls.fr , [e-mail] ) .
Sleep Code
(€1 = about $1.30, country code: 33)