Southwest France in October

I know you wrote "possible" when referring to side trips from a city, but given the number of nights you'll be staying in each location, which are actually only a few full days, if you want to do all these "possible" side trips, especially using public transportation, you won't see anything of the city you're staying in.

How early should I get to the airport in Toulouse?

At Toulouse Blagnac Airport, for a flight within the Schengen area, with baggage to check in, I always allow 1.5 hours - 2 hours during holiday periods.

1. 2 hours
2. 2 hours
3. Ibis Hotels are everywhere in France but cookie cutter

you'll know if you have time energy to do side trips or subtract them once you get into the trip

Hi KRS,

I think you ll run out of time. If you really want to see the places where you ll be at, stay there and enjoy. Going from Lyon to Grenoble, with only 3 nights in Lyon is too short. I think you can skip Annecy. It’s a beautiful place but you won’t have time to do everything.
Montpellier is a nice city but not essential. The same comment as before. Skip this city and Beziers. Focus on Nimes, Avignon and maybe why not Arles and the Camargues, which is a beautiful place if you like nature and want to hike and have a peaceful day.
4 nights in Narbonne is a lot. Collioures is beautiful. Girona is too far!
If you can focus on Toulouse, Albi and Castres do it. It’s worth it

As for planes, 1.5 hour before is enough

I appreciate the input. Getting to the airport 2 hours before a flight isn't so bad, thank goodness.

I stayed in an Ibis in Switzerland. The room was tiny, but the price was reasonable. It would be so nice to have a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower, but I'm sure those are much too expensive to justify, although I'll admit I'm tempted since it's only 2 nights.

I like to have a few possible side trip ideas just in case a new city doesn't mesh with my mood.

I've wanted to visit Annecy for a while now, so I won't cross that off my list, but I appreciate the input into the other cities. I've seen Montpellier described as a lively university town, and I really want to see it, but should I consider a stay in Nimes as well? I can increase my overall nights a bit if needed. I can cut a day from Narbonne. I actually thought I'd erased Girona from my list of possible side trips. When I started pulling this itinerary together, I was planning to end in Barcelona with a side trip to Girona, but decided to save that for another trip.

You are correct that Montpellier is a lively city with about 80,000 students. It has the world's oldest medical school in continuous operation and a botanical garden originally planted to provide plants for the school. It also has France's second largest historical center filled with plazas, mansions, streets dating to medieval times, a 10th C Jewish Mikvah, and so on. Nîmes Centre train station is 30 minutes away by local train or 15 minutes by TGV or Intercitiés train, all from Gare Saint Roch. Séte is 15 minutes in the other direction. Wisud does a terrific daytrip into the back country, lovely villages, giant lake water source and a medieval monastary in Saint Guilhem. I've know several people who have raved about this excursion.

There's much more but you'd need a car unless you book a day trip with a company through the Office of Tourism: the Petite Camargue with the flamingos, salt works, visit to a bull ranch, Aigues-Mortes, or a trip to Uzès-one of the most interesting towns of all in the south.

KRS,
I may be wrong, but I don't consider Dijon, Lyon or Annecy as southwest France. Montpellier and subsequent towns, yes.
Just a hint...a day going from one town to another, unless quite close, loses you at least a half-day. Time is lost in checking in and out of lodging, etc., not just train and station time. So, e.g. four nights in Narbonne isn't four days. Maybe a half-day on arrival day and a half-day on departure day if you leave later. Thus with just three full days and the side trips you are considering, you may not have much time in Narbonne itself. This is not a good or bad thing, just something to factor in. Figure out what is important to you about these locations and plan accordingly, giving yourself enough time to get around when there.
By the way, we loved Lisbon. I hope you are giving yourself at least 4-5 days there.

Judy, you're probably right about those places not being considered part of the south west, but that's okay. It's still where I want to go. Geography was not my best class in school. :)

I see comments here regularly about moving from one place to another taking half a day, but I enjoy getting to see the countryside and the different stops and it must not take me as long to pack up and head out as other people because it's not much different than getting ready any other morning for me. Still, I appreciate the reminder. I'm not one to sit in a cafe or over dinner for hours, so I guess it all evens out since I tend to run hard all day exploring. The longest train day will be from Annecy to Montpellier, and I'll probably just watch a movie or read a book along the way.

I love Lisbon too! I've visited a few times, but yes, this visit will probably still be at least several days.

Elizabeth, thank you for the info on the tours and the reassurance about Montpellier.

KRS,
Glad you are on the ball about your moves. Look forward to getting a trip report when you return!

For an economical hotel in Toulouse we stayed at https://www.hotelcroixbaragnon.com/. It was clean and in a good location.

Thanks Judy. I wish my travel style was organized enough to do a trip report, but it doesn't seem that I travel the way most people on here do. I tend to do a lot of just wandering and discovering. I carry the memories with great joy, but don't always focus on the details in a way that lends itself to a trip report.

I'm thinking now that I'll add a night each to Lyon and Montpellier and take one night away from Narbonne, and maybe add a possible day trip to Avignon, replacing Beziers from Montpellier. I still have a little time to tweak that info. I'd like to get my flight tickets purchased soon though.

Renee, thank you for the hotel recommendation!

Hi
Annecy is well worth 3 nights. You sound active, so consider renting a bike and ride around the lake clockwise. you'll go through charming towns along the way, like Duingt, for rest breaks. bring your swimsuit for the public beach that is about 3 miles outside before you return to town. extra credit if you do this on Market Day, so you can pack a picnic for the beach.
For accommodations, I stayed at the Ibis very near to the old town and a short walk from the bus depot.

this said, Lyon is worth 3 full nights in city. try to trim elsewhere in your trip. I stayed a night in Grenoble, which was worthy.

Chris, that sounds perfect for me. I enjoy biking at home, but I'm sure the views will be better in Annecy! I've already revised my schedule so I'll be spending 4 nights in Lyon. That will give me the flexibility to wander the city and see the sites as well as take a side trip or 2 if the mood strikes me. I'm getting really excited about this trip!