Looking for great food-centric and other activities in much of southern France this fall.

Hi!
What a lovely list of locations you've got here - 4 of which are completely unknown to me! I have a few comments on the Provence locations, which I know best among your list.

Cotignac, in particular, is especially lovely. The area is truffle country, and in nearby Lorgues, you have an exceptional restaurant specializing in truffle, "Chez Bruno". It is not casual at all, definitely fancy, but very authentic regardless.
Around Cotignac are plenty of vineyards too - cannot recommend a specific one.
The Argens river nearby is suitable for canoeing when there is enough water (not currently the case), or for a swim at Vallon Sourn (a tranquil spot, but again, needs to rain before it is swimmable again). In the other direction, there is a lovely waterfall at Sillans. Further afield, but daytrippable, you have the amazing Verdon Gorge with prime hiking opportunities.
One of the nearest towns of any size, Aups, has a great market.

Apt is nice too, but you might find it a bit too urban for your tastes maybe. It has a population of about 12k but it feels like more because it is the only urban center in the Luberon. The Saturday market is one of the best in Provence, though.

Provence - Go to Uzes for the market and take a cooking class at Le Pistou Cooking School. petracarter.com
We loved canoeing under the Pont du Gard with Canoe Collias right outside of Uzes. canoe-collias.com

Dordogne - Definitely eat at La Belle Etoile in La Roque Gageac - you need a reservation, but the Michelin restaurant with the terrace over the Dordogne is delightful.
And canoe down the Dordogne for exquisite photos of the villages.

For the most picturesque villages to photograph in France, look at the map at https://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/

Balso,
Thanks for the reccomendations near Cotignac. I decided I wanted to mix up where my stays are located so I threw Apt into the mix where I have visited before. It is the largest village/town where I'll be staying. I should be there during truffle season so will check out Chez Bruno.

Carla,
I'll be 20 minutes from Uzes so will chekc out Petra's cooking classes and of course the market. I've been to La Roque Gageac several times but never eaten at La Belle Etoile so may to pay a visit! I've taken the gabarre down the Dordogne but never canoed so it's high time I have that experience.

Best,
wvdthree

Being a CHEF, your opinion of La Belle Etoile will be decidedly different, but it was very inexpensive - 33 euros a person for the 3 course meal. And the sun setting over the Dordogne is a treat!

AND, many of the Provence villages like Menerbes, Bonnieux, and Lourmarin all have markets on different days of the week.

I passed through Estaing earlier today, and it is absolutely gorgeous! I loved the looming castle over a peaceful riverside setting (and the Lot is a surprisingly big river). I would have stopped if I was not trying to reach my destination (a castle near Aurillac) before the storm. Great choice. I saw that Conques is nearby: do not miss it!

Balso,
Thanks for your impression of Estaing! I spent a few hours there years ago and this trip have a lovely AirBnB booked for ten days right in town which I'm really looking forward to. Have been to Conques and will be returning.

wvdthree

"I passed through Estaing earlier today, and it is absolutely gorgeous! I loved the looming castle over a peaceful riverside setting (and the Lot is a surprisingly big river). I would have stopped if I was not trying to reach my destination (a castle near Aurillac) before the storm. Great choice. I saw that Conques is nearby: do not miss it!"