Well if you want something sort on the same route-you might consider Albi. It is more of a town than city but still with lots to do.

I would choose Figeac over Albi in a heartbeat (though I do like Albi). Rodez is also interesting.

Those suggestions all seem quite close to Monflanquin as we are are there for a month I feel we have plenty of time to explore that area. I am looking a bit further afield in a different region possibilities either Beaune or Dijon, Avignon or around Brittany even. They all offer different things I know. If anyone has any suggestions for website for holiday rentals I would appreciate it. So far I have been looking at homeaway and rentaplaceinfrance.

First world problems! :D

For sure Dijon and Beaune could be contenders. Another thought would be to base in Bayeux and explore Normandy and WWII areas plus Brittany. Otherwise if you prefer to not go to Provence, but want something different than close to the southwest, then Chambéry and Nancy are both nice small to mid-sized places. Chambery you could explore the alps and Nancy you could explore Alsace and even Baden Baden or something.

We are recently retired and "nomadic" for the next year. We have used homeaway, VRBO.com (owned by homeaway) and airbnb.com If you haven't used airbnb you should check it out. You will find a number of threads here aroound people being nervous to rent via them for Paris because Pars and other big cities are getting fussy about the legalities, but I think you should consider them for smaller cities and towns IMO.

Well I've pretty much narrowed it down to Aix or Arles in Provence, or Beaune or Dijon in Burgundy. I guess the weather will be better in Provence. Just finding the right accomodation, boy it's a time consuming activity!

We loved Aix when we were there for a week. The girls still speak longingly of the cheese shop where a French Canadian spoke fluent English and helped us get our daily cheese. Our most favorite restaurant was Pasta Cisy and I had the best salad of my life in the salad restaurant in the square. You can read the whole trip report at www.rovingrichards.com.

Aix it is!! thanks all for your input :)

Yay! I'm sure you will love it.

We are headed to St Remy for the next 10 nights and will of course be exploring the food and sights nearby. I will post if I find things that are especially yummy!

http://www.graperentals.com/properties/mdc.html

Hi, I can recommend these owners, Franck and Laura. They are very easy to work with and share lots of local info. Their children are young too. We stayed at the apartment in Beaune but one of their homes, les maison des chaumes sleeps six. What memories your children will have!

^ Beaune