Where should we stop overnight on our way down to the Dordogne (Sarlat?)

[BoogleMcGroogle]

We are heading down from London on the first Friday of August and are looking for an easy overnight stop, in an Ibis hotel or similar, with a view to ending up in Sarlat early afternoon on the Saturday ( I know, it's black Saturday, the autoroutes will be dreadful etc.). Any ideas gratefully received!

about-france.com/geo/motorways.htm

This site is good for telling you the hotels on specific motorways which are minutes from the junction.

hi we do the drive regularly as we have family there. We stay in chateauroux at ibis or campanile . Have a great time!

Thanks so much, that website is really helpful and I'll look up Chateauroux. It's my first time there since childhood, so I can't wait 😊

Which port in France are you starting from? A lot will depend on that and if you want to use the journey to stop and see something on the way.

We used to use places like Ibis but why not try something like Booking.com instead? There are loads of really lovely B&Bs in rural France (in chateaus with big gardens etc), often near the autoroute and really good for kids (suites or adjoining rooms etc).

We stayed at the Mercure in Orleans when we drove to Sarlat a couple of years ago. Secure parking and a pool. Easy walking distance to the town centre. Not far off the motorway.

Depends on how far you will be able to travel on the Friday.

I generally try and find a mid sized town which has something of interest (and restaurants) for the late aft/evening once we've had enough of driving. although we travel down from Yorkshire so are tired enough to stop by early afternoon if doing an early tunnel crossing.

Orleans is a good suggestion. I haven't stayed in Chateauroux but it looks nice - plus you only then have a shortish drive on the Saturday.

Agree with some other posters that it's also nice to find an independent hotel/B&B. Can be more of a French experience.

Pick a town and then look at their tourism website.

Enjoy your travels.