Dordogne - Provence: 10 days in August

I would second the opinion that 1 day or less is enough for Carcassonne. I just got back from two weeks in France yesterday, and I thought half a day in Carcassonne was great but would've had a hard time (as a train traveller) filling more time there. With a car, you could drive elsewhere nearby (such as Albi) or spend more time in the Dordogne and Lot region. (I spent three days in Sarlat and really enjoyed it but would've enjoyed it more with a car to get to the small towns and sites nearby.)

Dale, what's your question exactly? Is it about the car?

You're visiting some great places and will wish you could have spent more time there. Carcassonne probably only merits a day (and a night) on such a quick trip.

You do want a car for these areas. I suspect that if you factor in fuel, renting a car in Languedoc and a car in Provence (with a train ride from Carcassone to Provence) would cost about the same as your plan. But if you like to drive, why not do so?

In general, in Europe, country/rural destinations are best explored by car, because there's rarely efficient rail service, bus service is often slow, and the things you want to see can most efficiently be reached by car.

Cities are best reached by train and then explored on foot, subway, etc--the European urban areas are generally well served by rail.

So the decision about car or train depends, partly, on what you want to see. A car is great for exploring the Provence countryside. If you want to explore a large urban area with stressful driving and parking conditions, like Avignon, maybe you decide to leave the car in the nearest train station parking lot and take the train into Avignon.

My wife and I drove in this area last fall and looking back, the car is what helped make that part of our trip so enjoyable. The small towns near Sarlat and the driving through the hills can only be experienced by using a car or bicycle. Have a great time.

I agree with what's said above - only a day for Carcassonne - add it to either the Dordogne or Provence. But, with a car, I'd stay in a smaller town in Provence than Arles. St. Remy is good. I'd love to stay in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue sometime. It depends on what you want to see in Provence, but getting in and out of a town the size of Arles is just a bit more complicated.

We stayed in Montignac at Le Lascaux Hotel Montignac, and drove the lovely hills, pulling over for food and wine and pictures. Easy drive to Sarlat and other cities for market days. The Caves are interesting and the Dordogne has beautiful vistas.
I agree, a day in Carcassonne is enough. We found parking was easy enough just outside the walls in Avignon and Arles.