Following 5 days in Paris the first week October, driving to Honfleur for 3 days, Bayeux for 3 to tour WWII sites with a guide, then Mont St Michel overnight. Would love suggestions for ideally one place in the countryside for the next week to 10 days and a route for the drive back to Paris/CDG other than the one down. We're looking for a relaxing, restorative, scenic location we could use as a base with easy access to wine, good food, local village life.
Here's our favorite gite in Beynac. Stay here for a week then fly home from Bordeaux.
You might consider Saumur, at the western end of the Loire Valley. From there you can easily take day trips to some of the chateaux, or just enjoy the wine, food, & village life of the region.
On the way back to Paris you could stop in Chartres -- or Versailles for that matter. Be aware that the highway signage can be confusing when you drive through Le Mans because the A28 and the A11 are merged for a short distance.
Brittany. Mont Saint Michel is on the Normand border and there"s a lot more to see and do.
If I had 10 days I would totally do Beynac or someplace in the Dordogne. Flying home out of Toulouse or Bordeaux.
A bit of a haul to get there, but worth it.
We loved the Loire Valley.
Or if you are interested in the Dordogne check this one out- https://www.vrbo.com/108748
I rented this for a week and had to cancel due surgery. It is still on my bucket list!