GETTING THERE

CAR

The N20 runs from Paris through Limoges and Brive to Toulouse . This is an excellent highway and takes you very close to the Villa. When a booking is accepted and after full payment is made, detailed instructions on how to find the house from Bretenoux will be sent you; also a large scale local map showing the house site. We will provide you with a key before you leave so that you will not have to worry about meeting tight travel deadlines to arrive by a specific time.

From the North by the N20

By-pass Brive on the N20 as far as Cressensac, then divert to the N140 as far as Martel then turn left on the smaller D703 through Vayrac to Bretenoux or Brive via Collonges La Rouge, Meyssac and Beaulieu sur Dordogne.

From the South by the N20

From Toulouse follow the N20 to Montauban (or A62 freeway to Montech) and then onto Cahors. From there follow the N20 as far as the D677 which goes through Gramat to St. Cere, then take the D940 to Bretenoux.

If not Arriving by the N20

From Tulle by the D940 via Beaulieu

From Figeac via the N140 and D940

TRAIN

Paris to Bretenoux-Biars (via Brive) approximately 5 hours. Brive is the most sensible place to hire a car if you do not like driving out of major cities. Brive has Hertz, Avis and Europcar depots not far down the street from the main entrance to the rail station.

The Villa is approximately 7 minutes by car/taxi from the Bretenoux Biars railway station. Brive is a major rail stop on the Paris/Toulouse line and this is where you would change trains for the Brive/Aurillac line to Bretenoux-Biars (usually the adjoining platform). The train from Bretenoux-Biars usually departs from Brive 20 minutes later. This can be very useful to know if you are sharing the Villa with people travelling by train, or having someone join you later. Taxis’s are available and can be booked at the café opposite the Bretenoux-Biars station.

PLANE

As well as Paris , there are also international airports at Toulouse and Bordeaux .

CAR HIRE – LONG TERM

If your stay in Europe is 21 days or longer, the Citroen or Eurodrive car plans are much cheaper than renting a car by the day or week; also many air airlines are offering fly/drive packages, so it s worth checking them out before booking your flight. Note that these arrangements must be made before you leave Australia and cannot be arranged in France . These cars can be collected at both Paris and Toulouse airports and there are many other locations within France or Europe where they can be picked up.

CAR HIRE – SHORT TERM

As mentioned above, if you do not like driving out of Paris most larger towns have rental cars by the day or week. Hertz, Avis and Europcar have depots very close to Brive Station, 47kms away. Rental can be arranged in Australia . The route from Brive is on smaller roads and traffic is ususally light.

DISTANCE

By Car (approximately)

Paris – 7 hours

Toulouse – 3.5 hours

Lyon – 5 hours

Bordeaux 4 hours

Barcelona – 9 hours

Brive or Tulle – 1 hour

Bretenoux – 8 kms