Travel in Southwest France in July 2026

I can't answer your specific question, but you might find ViaMichelin.com to be helpful. If you input your proposed routings there and zoom in on the map, the most scenic roads will be outlined in green.

Thank you! I'll try that! Learn something new everyday!

I could give a more precise answer, but some information is missing.

Regarding the Provence - Southwest region (Dordogne-Bordeaux):

Where are you starting in Provence? Provence is large and stretches from the Italian border to Montpellier in the west. And how much time do you have for the trip?

Basically, the fastest way is the highways on the coast to Narbonne, then the A61 autoroute to Toulouse (there's a rest area with a view of Carcassonne). Here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2dHSBJWTDHDHAkvC8

If you have much more time, you can take a more inland route (the famous scenic routes marked with a green stripe beside the road itself on Michelin maps). This will take you through completely different regions and can take several days. The diversity of landscapes in France is different from that in the USA; you can travel 20 miles and the scenery will change completely.

From Toulouse, I don't see much difference between going to the Dordogne or going to Bordeaux. In any case, whether you come from Toulouse or From Bordeaux, once you're in the Dordogne, you'll only find small roads and charming villages.
If you have at least 6 hours between Toulouse and the Dordogne, I can give you an extremely scenic route with remarkable places to stop.

Thank you so much for your help, JoLui. I did edit my entry. We're not 100% sure where we will leave Provence, but likely around Avignon. We can then go to Dordogne region first - so your offer of suggesting a scenic route would be GREAT, OR we can to Bordeaux first and then to Dordogne. Then the next area would be Amboise. THANK YOU!

We gave just left this area. I hope you can drive stick (non-automatic transmission).

Many roads in the Dordogne are quite windy and hilly. It's a very picturesque area. We really enjoyed Sarlat-la-Caneda, Les Eyzies, and the Chateau Baynac.

As to the prettiness, it's hard to find anything in the Dordogne/Perigord which is not pretty.

Parking in the bigger cities can be a challenge.

amy, How much time do you have for this trip (nights on the ground)?

We have 4 nights in Dordogne. I'm just trying to decide which route to take on the long stretches between major destinations. It determines the order of our itinerary to the major regions. But it looks like it all beautiful! Thanks!

I hope you can drive stick (non-automatic transmission).

Why would the OP need to drive a manual?
We have rented cars 4 times in France and never had trouble getting an automatic. Looks like they want to pick up in Avignon, automatics will be available at the agencies there.

We always book thru AutoEurope.com. Just put sure to filter "Automatic" in your search.

We drove from Sarlat to Saint-Remy- that is a very long drive- I wished we had planned to stop somewhere midway.

Viamichelin.com is a good source for finding routes (scenic and otherwise). I do recommend adding some time on to their time, as they don't calculate time for gas/food/comfort stops, and possible traffic jams. We will usually figure an hour extra on a four hours trip (per viamichelin) and 2 hours extra on a 6-8 hour drive. If we haven't needed that much extra time, all the better! We just arrive at our destination earlier.

As to manual shift, we haven't had a problem getting an automatic, but we all can drive stick shifts if need be. We have, however, only rented cars from large locations, where the choices are greater (Bordeaux and Marseille train stations, CDG and Marseille airports. In smaller towns you may not have as much of a choice. If you go through Autoeurope, you will find your car more easily. They have always had excellent customer service in our experience.

And the advice to get an IDP (International Drivers Permit...NOT an international drivers license) is good advice. One for each driver. Keep it with your current state drivers license in case of an accident or encounter with a traffic policeman. It is cheap and better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Bonne chance et bon voyage!

Given the minimum travel time between Avignon and the Dordogne or Bordeaux, honestly, it's going to be difficult to enjoy anything other than the view from the highways if you only have one day for this trip.

Usually, it takes about 5.5 hours of driving without any breaks. So in reality, it could take 1.5 hours longer.

Keep in mind that you're planning to drive in July. If it's during a weekend when holidaymakers from all over Europe are leaving or returning, you're going to encounter a lot of traffic and maybe major jams on all the highways in the south of France.

On weekdays during rush hour, the Toulouse ring road can be a real traffic nightmare.

The best route I can suggest is this one, which avoids going through Toulouse, also avoids some tolls, and takes you through some beautiful places and roads.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/R9W3iZ3GRNLv1XiM7

It goes through

Castres and the Montagne Noire

https://www.tourisme-tarn.com/uk/discover-the-tarn/unmissable-attractions/castres-and-montagne-noire/

Puycelsi

https://www.la-toscane-occitane.com/en/visiter/villes-villages/le-village-fortifie-de-puycelsi/

Bruniquel

https://www.guide-tarn-aveyron.com/en/experiences/not-to-be-missed/article-must-see-a-day-in-bruniquel--94.html

But if I were you, with only one day, I would skip the small villages and scenic landscapes of a longer itinerary since you'll see plenty of others once in Dordogne.