Hiking: Dordogne or Provence?

Hi Laura:
We took a trip to South of France and Northern Spain a year ago. We like day hikes also. We spent 4 nights in Dordogne but didn't have time to do hikes there. Instead we paddled a canoe up the river which was both relaxing and beautiful. Many of the sites we wanted to see were in villages where you walked up and down hills so we felt we got quite enough exercise. While in Provence we found a gorgeous hike near the village of Le Beax at Val d'Enfer in the Apilles National Park. Fabulous views and interesting limestone formations along a well marked path. Another day we did the hour long trail at Russillion. It was a very easy stroll thru red soil and rocks and we enjoyed it. South of Dordogne in the French Pyranees there are many many hikes. I don't know if you have time to go that far. May should be the perfect time to go. Enjoy!

One more thing Laura I forgot to mention. In another area known as The Languedoc there are many hikes. This is where you'll find the Cather Castles. Carcossone is a very famous castle in the area but there are a lot of ruins nearby that are not commercialized and involve hiking just to get up to them. Payperpatuse was our favorite. We stayed at a lovely b&b called Les Marguerites in a village called Alet les Bains. The owners are happy to help you find what you're looking for.

I have a Provence itinerary that I am planning for a future trip, and the own of Roussillon seems to have good hiking. My wife and I rarely seem to hike that much on vacation because we pass our various stops through too quickly, Roussillon caught my eye. Also, if there is hiking near Peyreptuse and Queribus (Cathar castles), that area is very spectacular. We passed through the Dordogne in 2003 but did not have time to do any hiking.

You may want to check temperatures to help you decide. A few years ago we spent six months in Cassis where I belonged to the local hiking club. By early May the club was done for the season due to the heat, but our hikes were in the afternoon. Cassis is a wonderful base, but do start early in the morning. Besides the Calanques and Cap Canaille, there's the Gineste area between Cassis and Marseille, Mt. St. Victoire from the Cezanne paintings, the St. Baum, several Couronnes de Charlemagne. Terraine is rocky, so hard-soled hiking boots and a pole make a difference.

We also spent time in the Dordogne, cooler in May, forested. The beauty of France is that trails are everywhere. Look for GR (grande randonnée) a highway system of trails. Every area has local trails. Just look for local publications.

Doing a search, I see the GR has info in English, and there's a site called Walking in France.

Thanks to all of you--this is really helpful! What is the GR? I'm going to follow up on all of your suggestions.
Laura

GR means Grande Randonée = long-distance footpath. For local and loop walks you'd ne more likely to be on a PR = Petite Randonée.
I can see you are thinking more of the Dordogne now, but here's a single-centred one in Provence you might wish to consider.
And another in the valley of the Tarn.