RosBlack

We'll be in France next June. Once we leave the Dordogne, we'll have 10 days more before we return to Paris. We were thinking of 5 days in the Midi-Pyrenees and 5 in the Languedoc.

We like small, quiet, picturesque places, but we're having trouble finding somewhere in each area that gives us enough to occupy ourselves for 5 days. I'm sure that will sound silly to anyone who knows these areas, so we'd appreciate any suggestions!

Envierges

"but we're having trouble finding somewhere in each area that gives us enough to occupy ourselves for 5 days"

Oh dear! I think you have some reading and studying to do. With Montpellier, Carcassonne, Collioure, Nimes, Sete, Perpignan, Toulouse, Cahors, Castres, Cathar castles, Languedoc and Roussillon wine, The Cevennes Park, The Gorges of the Tarn . . . there's great deal to do, but you must perform the research yourself as this is much too large a topic to cover in this limited space.

Envierges

And I forgot to mention perhaps the best example of a medieval walled city in all of France Aigues-Mortes.

Michael

Lots of things to see in the Midi and the Pyrenees. The Michelin Green guides are useful in that respect.

To whet your appetite:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...877915948/show

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...717915043/show

Envierges

Michael

What gorgeous photography. Thank you for the links.

RosBlack

Thank you both very much: this will help enormously!

julies

I know many people really like Carcassone, but it doesn't call to us--way too touristy. We even visited twice thinking that perhaps our first impression was skewed by the poor weather on the first trip. Beautiful weather on our second trip, and we still felt the same way.

RosBlack

We're looking at staying at Bessieres: it seems to be a small town village right on the Tarn. Will this place us centrally enough for the villages and quieter places of the Cevennes?

Envierges

You really should do some map study. You'll notice that the Cevennes is relatively sparsely populated requiring driving on lots of switchbacks on hilly/mountainous roads. Map distances are apt to be deceptive. Mende and Florac are usually thought of as Cevennes gateways. If you want to concentrate on the Cevennes I think you should stay closer. A Gallimard guide.."Parc National des Cevennes" is excellent. And in English there's Robert Louis Stevenson's Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes"

StCirq

<<We're looking at staying at Bessieres: it seems to be a small town village right on the Tarn. Will this place us centrally enough for the villages and quieter places of the Cevennes?>>

No. As Envierges says, you need to consult maps and a guide, not just pick some "cute" place that's barely accessible (unless that's what you want).

A friend of a friend has an absolutely delightful B&B in St-Privat de Vallongue near Florac that proved to be an excellent base for touring the entire area. It's called La Baume and I'm sure you can find it by googling and on Trip Advisor. I know you're looking to rent something, but this place is pretty special

RosBlack

Thanks so much once again, StCirq. It's easy to get things really wrong (as I've clearly done) when the country is so new to us. I can't get in touch with Richard at La Baume, but will continue to try. All of your suggestions are really appreciated!