My husband and I are going to take several days from our July vacation in Barcelona and visit either the Dordogne, Languedoc or Provence. My husband is worried that he will be bored (??!) and wants to make sure there are activities in the area such as hiking, biking, boating...etc. My tastes run more towards a pastis at a cafe and just taking in beautiful scenery, but hey, I can compromise! Do you have any advice on what we can do and what region is best for these types of activities? Will it be too hot to bike and hike? Any suggestions so we don't bicker the whole time! Any advice would be much appreciated!! RF

One of my greatest days ever in Europe was a couple of years ago staying at Bourdeilles on the little Dronne River. <BR>We stayed at a wonderful old inn on the river next to an ancient mill. During the day they packed us a lunch and arranged for us to be transported up river to Brantome, where we were put into the river on a canoe, our lunch and cameras tucked inside a waterproof cooler. We spent almost all day drifting down this tiny scenic river --only occassionally having to paddle, and a couple of times having to wade in ankle deep water to push our canoe over some shallow rocks or over a little spillway. We stopped a couple of times on the secluded banks, once for our great picnic. We ended up right at our hotel in Bourdeilles where they picked up the canoe. There is other canoeing or kayaking in the area, but this is for wimps, not athletes -- and really wonderful.

Two years ago, I freeloaded on my cousin, who lives in Lunel, a nondescript town near Nimes. The only claim to fame it has is that it's the home of Perrier Water. The location was ideal, because it's midpoint between Nimes and Montpelier. Nimes is a lovely town which I'm sure you will enjoy. It has a Roman Amphitheater, and all around it are located many little piazzas with lots of cafes and the people watching is spectacular. Montpelier is one of the prettiest cities on earth. The LARGE square, I think they call it Le Comedie Francaise, is a fantastic place. I've never seen anything like it anywhere. It's just too much to describe. In addition, the rest of the city is chock full of parks and monuments of much interest. From Lunel, we had extremely easy trips to Avignon, Arles, and much to my surprise, Montelimar. We were given incorrect directions, by a RR conductor <BR> <BR> to Orange, but ended up in Montelimar instead. That was the highlight of our trip. I don't know whether it was that it was unexpected or that the town was so thoroughly enjoyable, but we had a great time in Montelimar, which by the way, is the nougat capital of the world. There are nougats everywhere. That whole area is one which will leave you wanting for more. <BR>Have lots of fun. <BR>Al

Languedoc: you are at the Pyrenees so hiking is a given; biking would be a doable, as the areas near the coast are fairly flat; don't know about boating, as I don't remember seeing any rivers with craft on them; the area has many castles and chateaux (big wine growing area, plus lots of history from the Cathars and Knights Templar; you are also in Catalan region) along with such cities as Carcassonne and Perpignan with museums and historical sites. The beach is popular with French middle-class families, but isn't heavily touristed with non-French. <BR>Dordogne: canoeing/kayaking on both rivers and lakes; biking is easy, as the terrain is fairly flat (there are giant hills but the roads circumvent them); there are lots of places to hike (hilly, woody, rocky) and walk. The area is a cornucopia (I love that word) of things to see: castles, walled cities, fortified churches, caves (both dwelling and caverns) and vineyards. There are even wildlife sanctuaries (eagles/birds of prey and monkeys) and all sorts of gardens. There are lots of little villages with great restaurants and cafes and craftspeople, so he can hike, you can eat and shop. <BR>Provence: hiking is a definite thing-to-do; biking might be a bit more spotty as the area is very hilly (and mountainous!); don't remember seeing boats on any of the rivers, but we go there in October when boating season is over. Lots of beautiful towns and villages, definitely vineyards to visit, lots of great scenery. <BR> <BR>And, rather than bicker, there are lots of bodies of water where hubby could mysteriously disappear "oh no M. L'Inspecteur, we were getting along fine; he just decided to go canoeing at midnight"

Hi, Robyn, <BR> <BR>(If this appears twice, sorry.) <BR> <BR>This is our favorite part of France, too, but a word about Languedoc and Provence in July: it can get quite warm, especially around the lowlands in Languedoc and over to the Camargue, where it can get pretty humid, too. That may or may not matter regarding sports activities. (We tend to be more like you in disposition...Darn, meal time again?) <BR> <BR>Perhaps he's a spelunker? Good opportunities in the Dordogne. <BR> <BR>Or I suppose you or your husband could study up on Josephine Baker, then find some place to dance the night away after visiting her chateau in the Dordogne. Got feathers? <BR>

My husband and I spent a wonderful day canoeing the Dordogne River two years ago. We floated past the castles of Beynac and Castelnaud. There is a wonderful riverside restaurant in Beynac. We even found an outfittter who rented Old Town canoes. Don't forget to bring a bottle of the local wine.