After driving from CDG through Burgundy, we will be spending the first week of May in a gite near the Avignon area (this will be the third time doing so at the same gite). Considering spending another week driving from there through the Toulouse, Albi and Cohors area on the way to either Angouleme or Bordeaux. From there taking the TGV into CDG for return flight. Have done the TGV before and works out great but not sure where to go the seven (7) days before leaving. Like to drive to smaller towns and villages with interesting shops, food and etc. Would consider any alternative route as long as we end up at either Bordeaux or Angouleme. Would also consider staying in a another gite for a couple days or a B&B as a home base.
Any suggestions as to interesting places and routes would be appreciated.
The region you describe - defined by Toulouse, Bordeaux, Angouleme, Albi - is really too large and hilly to be seen from a single base. However if you are looking for a good place to spend time in SW France I think the Dordogne valley really deserves its accolades. See Albi enroute.
Several trans-Atlantic airines fly out of Bordeaux airport. You could possibly connect from there to your flight home, saving the time and money required to return to Paris. Particularly on Air France, these connector flights may add very little to the trans-ocean fare.