Ideas for return France stay- Bordeaux? Dordogne?

Alsace???
Dordogne???

Depends on so many variables and your home base requirements are so broad as to include most every town in the country.

Any more specific interests?? Wineries, hiking, architecture, etc….???

Our favorite region is the Dordogne -- we have twice rented in villages for a week and have also stopped overnight in transit a few times -- great food, lovely night markets in summer for dancing and food, beautiful towns, chateaux and canoeing on the Dordogne and of course the pre-historic caves/cave art etc. All good.
You do need a car. We are so glad we spent time there when we could drive as it is sort of our of reach for us now.

I love the Dordogne region. However, I have yet to go to any region in France I did not love. You could also consider Normandy, Burgundy, and Alsace. You cannot go wrong with any of them. We stayed in Sarlat in Dordogne, Bayeux in Normandy, Beaune in Burgundy, and Colmar in Alsace. They were all excellent bases and meet all your requirements.

I think the Dordogne offers a lot of variety. I traveled through that area by public transportation, so I needed to base myself in towns of some size for reasons of transportation. You'll have more freedom with a car. I believe a lot of people have liked staying in the area around Sarlat (including in the town of Beynac). In case it's helpful, these were the base towns I especially liked: Bergerac, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Perigueux and Cahors. Most of the places I day-tripped to (Sarlat being an attractive exception) were quite small, but I especially liked the larger Figeac. It's distinctly not flat, which made wandering around more interesting to me.

I doubt there's any region of France not worth an extended stay, but I think Alsace would be especially nice with a car.

Thank you for your replies. I understand we will enjoy any region of France with so much to offer! We cannot go wrong! I appreciate your specific towns where you have stayed! Knew that RS Forum contributors would have traveled and opinions to compare.
We are traveling with our teenage daughter so need things to explore like hiking and caves and kayaking. Those activities keep our interest as well as al fresco at a cafe in a cozy town.
Appreciate your suggestions!
-Lynn

Martin Walker has authored many "Bruno Chief of Police" fictional stories that describe the Dordogne region: e.g. The Dark Vineyard: A Novel of the French Countryside (Bruno Chief Of Police Book 2). As background he describes market days, grape harvests, truffle festivals, gitanes and tourist attractions in the stories as well as remarks at the end. Worth a look if you have not previously encountered his work.

We learned about the region in the Bruno books. I would not have known about the night markets without -- and we managed to find the very last one open the first week of September (they are generally in July and August and local tourist offices insisted they were all 'done' for the year, but I found one last one. WE were traveling with another couple and really enjoyed dancing under the stars in the town square of a medieval village and sharing our table with local expats. There were many French locals, but the Dordogne is full of English retirees and so we were able to find a table to eat at with people to converse with as well.

We also were cooking in a lot and enjoyed local markets and tried many of the foods Walker talks about from this regions. Didn't think much of the local wine he touts but the walnut liquor was good -- and of course the foie gras, duck, cheeses, breads -- all magnificent.

No one has commented on Bordeaux which we also are considering. . Is there any one with experience in Bordeaux who can add comments here on this city?

I enjoyed my few days in Bordeaux, but I would agree to some degree with those who feel it doesn't have as distinctive a character as some other French cities. It has an attractive historic center, including some streets that seemed to have a medieval footprint. Other sections of the city were more grand than intimate. I can't put my finger on what was missing. Maybe it's the size; Bordeaux's population is a quarter of a million, putting it well outside the "cute town" category.

I know we have posters who are rather negative about Bordeaux; I hope at least some come along and explain how they feel about the city.