Dordogne or Charente?

[InsolentAnnie]

Torn between three places - gorgeous child-friendly gite a short stroll from a village, which is about 35 mins south of Angouleme in the Charente; or lovely but more isolated gite near Rouffignac in Dordogne; or gite near Gourdon, south of Sarlat (so very bottom of Dordogne).

I gather the Dordogne ones are likely to be busier, but also possibly prettier countryside..? We’re going last week in August so just after the highest peak period. I know nothing about that area of Charente and finding it hard to research - is it flat and boring, or are there interesting places to visit and stuff to do for the kids? They are 10 and 4, plus we’ll have my mum with us (and DH). The Charente gite looks amazing but I don’t want to end up somewhere isolated and dull! We like to spend some time in accommodation but also time exploring too, and I like potting round pretty towns, and DH wants to canoe. Kids would probably appreciate a lake beach…. Help!!

Can only give a partial perspective, as I don't know the Charente but we had an amazing time in the Dordogne last summer and I can recommend the area around Sarlat. You will have lovely markets, including night markets, in most of the villages/towns still running in August, the river is brilliant for kayaking/canoeing, the bastide towns and villages are stunning. There is a lake beach near Gourand (and people swim in the Dordogne too). The countryside is more varied - dairy cattle and walnut groves as well as vineyards - than the pure winegrowing areas in other parts of the Dordogne. And road links are good, so it's pretty easy to get about (although we went in September, so likely quieter than late August). Caves and early art to see. Great food and wine!

The mosquitoes are pretty fierce during the hotter months - take lots of repellent, and antihistamine, and soothing creams if you are sensitive to the bites.

Terrible names! Every other child is a Dordogne-Mai or a Charente-Rose

I love the Charente - it's where my parents live (and they also have a gite!). You will have lots of lovely canoeing on the river, it's about 1hr 30 from the beach at Royan, Roman sites at Saintes, LOADS to do. Please feel free to PM

Much prefer the Dordogne to the Charente, both in terms of scenery and things to do. Rouffignac I would go for.