Narrowing it down in france, would love input

Sounds perfect to me!

Looks like a good plan to me. You may want to include a canoe trip down the Dordogne while in that region. Chamonix is a beautiful little town and a ride up to the Aiguille du Midi will be fun. If open, the lift from France into Italy would also be something to consider. Only a month to go. Have fun.

Sounds excellent. I loved Chamonix. I went via Anency which was very nice. I stayed in one of Rick Steve's recommended hotels and got up the next day to the market. I took the scenic route over the mountains to Chamonix and highly recommend it. Windy, but beautiful.

Pam

Wow. I so rarely get to say this when someone asks about an itinerary, but it sounds perfect to me!

Be sure to canoe the Dordogne, even if you have never done it before. The water is only knee deep. Anyone can do it. There are two different places to rent canoes just across the bridge from Vitrac. They pick you up in Baynac - a two hour float away.

Also visit the gardens of Marqueyssac (sp?) just east of Beynac. The gardens themselves are only mildly interesting but the setting on a bluff above the river is amazing. One night a week (maybe Thursday?) they stay open late and line the walks with candle light and have live music.

The driving is easy. Just be sure to have a good map and lots of Euro coins for tolls on the motorway.

Have a great time!

Marvelous destinations. Great contrast and texture. Logistically a bit hairy (but feasible), so think carefully about that.

I would simplify things a little with open jaws. One option: Fly into Lyon (or take the direct train from deGaulle; some carriers even list the train as a connecting "flight"). Decompress there. One less travel/transit day, one less change of venue.

Where on the Med do you want to be? It's a big coast. Cote d'Azure has ritzy, rocky beaches. Provence beaches not so much. Languedoc sandier, maybe a bit out of your way.

Either way, you could squeeze in an overnight at Carcassone if you like. Wonderful cave art enroute to Dordogne: Peche Merle, in the Lot valley.

You go when you can. Reserve early that time of year, including at caves. For return to Paris: wouldn't TGV from Angouleme be better?

Have a great time!

Unless you have a particular reason for Lyon, one day is enuf, more days in Chamonix perfect. Also many hotels have min for summer in Chamonix village. We were there 5 nights last summer it was wonderful but it snowed for 2 days in July. Dordogne sights are a little spread out, plan carefully also hotels have min stays there too. A car is a hastle on Fr. Riveria unless you visit the corniches. Hopefully tou will have parking avail otherwise parking on st is very difficult in summmer. have fun, all & all a good plan.

Might I suggest that instead of going to Dordogne, you consider the Luberon region of Provence. You could hit this area on your way to the coast. There are wonderful little hill towns to explore and you can spend an afternoon paddling down the Sorgue river from it source near Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, which also has a great outdoor market. Avignon, Pont du Gard, St. Remy, Lourmarin, Gordes...lots of great options. This is the region that inspired Van Gogh! After your time on the coast, you can take the TGV from Marsielle back to Paris in 4 hours. A great way to travel.