Leaving in four weeks for London/Paris and are considering a few days in the French countryside. Want to antique shop and go for walks. Which area would you choose? Is the Dordogne also good to consider? (Sorry if this is a repeat, but I lost my earlier post somehow.

Normandy villages are very historic because of WWII; the people are very warm toward Americans.Burgundy is wine country. For walking,m I would probably choose the Dordogne region.
There are actual walking routes in the area, especially around the Dordogne River. In addition, you can visit sites of the original French caves where the early French(prehistoric) lived. I am a travel planner for France only; every region has something to offer.

Thanks. Dordogne sounds wonderful, my boss went there a year or so ago and really enjoyed it. Would you fly from Paris or rent a car?

>Burgundy is wine country.<
"The noble grape rules Burgundy but there is plenty more of interest with ancient abbeys, magnificent chateaux and picturesque mediaeval villages scattered throughout the region. In between sightseeing and enjoying the excellent cuisine and even better wine the route follows footpaths across the undulating terrain."
I fully agree with what they wrote here . http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/dfu.html
where you can have a look at the itinerary (on the right hand side of the page)

This website will give you more ideas if you like walking :
http://www.lavaurs.com/enMain

Happy travels!
coco

If going to the Dordogne, it is more convenient and probably cheaper to take the train to Libourne or Limoges and pick up a car there. On the other hand, if you want to visit places on the way to the Dordogne (Chartres, a couple of chateaux in the Loire Valley, Bourges) you might want to drive down.

Found attractive antique prices at scattered shops in Brittany a little inland from the Bay of Morlaix, although we parted, reluctantly, without purchasing. You could walk in any of those regions, I dare say, though the Brittany coast and Burgundy would be first on my trekking list.

Dave