June trip to southwest

"This time I generally want to see Bordeaux, Dordogne and Languedoc"

Read up on the Cathars and the Albigensian crusade
http://www.catharcastles.info/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathar_castles

If you're going to read one book about the Cathars this should be it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montaillou_(book)

Depending on your tastes of course, IMHO there's so much to see that you stated being of interest to you, that I'd break off Languedoc and do that with Roussillon on a next trip following the Pyrenees from Peripignan into the Basque country at Biarritz

I may end up doing that. I always start with a long list of things I'd like to see/do then weed them down to an itinerary. Sometimes things are weeded out because they don't fit into a route that covers most of the sights. Sometimes I'll weed it down to several stops that are the best representatives of the subject (like wine towns in Alsace). If it's still too full, I will break it into more than one trip.

The Cathars do interest me, I thought I'd include at least one or two stops related to their history.

Thanks,

Here's the link for my travel blog, which includes posts covering the Basque, Bearn and Dordogne regions, plus Bordeaux. Those are mostly in 2013 and 2016. Bordeaux would be one option to pick up a car, since all of the major rental agencies have offices there, and the train from Paris takes a little over 2 hours. We've made several trips to the Languedoc, but they precede the start of my blog. But there's so much to see in the SW that you might want to put the Languedoc off for a later trip.
http://mainelywinenews.blogspot.com/

I agree with others--split it up. Either do a "northern" route of Atlantic coast, Bordeaux, Dordogne, or a "southern" route of basque/pyrenees/Languedoc.

If you choose "North", you'll find lots of advice on visiting the Dordogne. Definitely do a boat/canoe day! If you can fit it in, add in Le Puy-de-Dome. I did a sunset hike there and was so taken by it that I decided to stay over and hike it again at sunrise (and I am NOT a morning person). It was truly magical--like hiking into the Land Before Time, and then you could see all the hot air balloons lift off! Clermont-Ferrand, the closest town, also made quite the impression on me.

For the south, I'd travel west to east. For example Biarritz, Perpignan (highly underrated!), Collioure, Narbonne, Canal du Midi, Sète, Montpellier. Throw in some Cathar castles up front. Carcassonne if you can catch it in the afternoon/evening on a weekday. (Or substitute Aigues-Mortes closer to Mpl--similiar but less touristy). You can easily get from Montpellier to Paris to fly out (flying direct from Mpl might also work, depending on your destination. I've just done an early train from Mpl--CDG for my flight and it's been fine)

Considering your interests, do NOT miss Aigues-Mortes.

Now that there is a 2-hour TGV to Bordeaux, I don't think you need to fly anywhere. Still, it is too bad you have bought your air tickets already, since flying home from Toulouse (or Bordeaux) would have been very smart.

You will need a car for this region, so I would just get one at the airport.

The Dordogne, Lot, and Cele valleys are the place for 15th century or earlier, with an emphasis on the earlier. A day visitng neolithic sites in the Vezere valley (off of the Dordogne) would be well spend. My favorite cave experience however was the Grotte du Peche Merle to the south. It's near a stunning hill town, St Cirq Lapopie.

The Dordogne is lined with stone fortresses from when the French and English faced each other across the river during the Hundred Year's War. I would stay on one of the fort towns rather than in Sarlat, which is nonetheless worth a visit. You could stay in the valley for a week without exhausting things to do or eat, though of course you have to balance that with your other priorities for this trip. Still I would not be surprised if the Dordogne is your highlight.

Drive south into Laguedoc and, if you are so inclined, French Catalonia. Carcassone is controversial here, but I like it, for a night (beat the crowds during the day by being mostly elsewhere). I also recommend learning a little bit about the history of the Cathars (aka Albigensians) and visiting Albi and also Cathar ruins. I especially enjoyed the Haute Corbiers, not for the phobic of heights.

If you are inclined to travel so far, the coastal town of Coulliore would make a charming southern end of your loop.

By the way, it looks as though there is a direct, no-transfers TGV from Bordeaux to Charles deGaulle that departs at 6 AM and arrives at the airport before 10. It's a little risky to trust your return to a train, but personally I would take that risk it if my return flight were not too early.

The Cave Painters by Gregory Curtis was an interesting read to me. It covers the scientific history of the prehistoric cave are in southern Europe. A hard-drinking chain-smoking Jesuit priest, a mistress, scientific rivalries, bizarre theories - this field has it all. I enjoyed reading it while getting ready to visit the Dordogne region's caves.

Thanks for the very good ideas. I'm not as interested in the Pyrenees/Basque areas because I've seen the Spanish side on a previous trip.

The reason for flying in and out of Paris is the price for alternatives goes up incredibly. I'll likely train to Bordeaux and fly back to Paris from Toulouse or Montpelier, or opposite. A seat on a hop (with my small carry-on) will likely be a little under 50 euro. I paid 46 euro from Nice to Paris last September. Even though I lose time, flying into other cities just about doubles the ticket price. I was able to get a round trip with Icelandair for $575 this time (not bad with the higher euro but more than my last three trips).

I will definitely enjoy seeing Albi, cave paintings and kayaking. I think I can make time for some hiking too. I've heard Carcassonne isn't bad if you enter opposite from the main tourist area, late in the afternoon is probably a good idea too. I'd like to hear as much about cave painting options as possible, I enjoyed the reproduction in the Ardeche and would like to see more.

Brad, you may have luck searching the forum for names of specific caves. I don't like the search function here, but that might be successful. I remember considerable discussion of the various caves over the last 2 years or so.

I guess the fortifications at Villefranche-de-Conflent are a bit later than your preferred period. It's very picturesque, but also very touristy.

An alternative less touristy area would be the Saintonge - between Saintes with its two large Romaneque churhces and the Atlantic coast, where virtually every small village has a Romanesque church.

I'm planning to be there myself in early July, but getting around by train and bicycle, not car. An enquiry on this forum a while ago yielded no responses, so while it may take longer to research that area but you would be spared the crowds.