My wife and I will spend 6 days traveling in France. We are starting in Albi. Given the short time we have, we are trying to decide between spending those days north of Albi in the Dordogne/Lot (Cordes sur Ciel, Conques, Rocamadour, St Cirq Lapopie) area or doing south from Albi to Carcassone and visiting the Cathar castles (Peyrepertuse, Queribus, Montsegur). Our interest is to enjoy the french countryside, and visit some beautiful villages and sites of historic interest. The guide books are positive about both areas, but I would value the advice of anyone who has visited them both. Also, would anyone recommend time in Toulouse? We are flying out of Toulouse but thought about not spending time visiting the city.

Thanks

The area you describe is not the Dordogne. You don't have enough time to get to, and enjoy, the Dordogne.

We much prefer the area north of Albi over the Carcassonne region. We've vacationed 10 weeks in the Dordogne, 2 weeks close to Albi, 2 weeks in Roussillon near Ceret, and 1 week in Lamalou les Bains (latter two with access to the Carcassonne region).

Along with Dijon, Toulouse is our favorite city after Paris.

Stu Dudley

> We are starting in Albi. Given the short time we have, we are trying to decide between spending those days north of Albin the Dordogne/Lot (Cordes sur Ciel, Conques, Rocamadour, St Cirq Lapopie) area or doing [or] south from Alb....

I haven't yet explored the area south of Albi, but I will say this: If you have any interest in prehistoric chromatic cave art, Pech Merle is NOT to be missed!

>would anyone recommend time in Toulouse?

II gave Toulouse a bit more than a day, and I sincerely wish tbaI had given it more tire: ncerely wish I had given Toulouse more time than I gave it, which was more than a day. For my interests, I could have easily spent 2 or more days in Toulouse.

You may want to refer to my trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

We did much of what you describe. If I could only go one direction, I would go up and do St Cirq Lapopie and Pech Merle cave and then the other sites you mention. But, the cathar sites would only take a day-the drive from Pech Merle to Duilhac is only 4 hours. You can do a few days in the Lot/Cele River area,then start early, drive down and see Perypetuse and Queribus castles then come back to Toulouse. We loved Toulouse but it was the end of over two weeks and we enjoyed slowing down and being in the urban setting. It was also nice to return the car a day ahead of our flight. But if we only has six days, would not spend more than one on Toulouse unless I really wanted to go to many of the musuems.

PS- I would rate Perypetuse and Queribus above going to Montsegur, and way above Carcassonne.

Thank you all for your great advice. And my mistake, the area north of Albi I was thinking of is Aveyron/Lot valley not Dordogne.

It sounds like the north is more attractive. Is there a good place to stay and do day trips to the various points I mentioned (Conques, Rocamadour, St Cirq Lapopie and any others you recommend)? I was thinking perhaps I should spend 2-3 days around Figeac and do day trips east and west. The alternate is to go from place to place in a counter-clockwise direction (Conques, Rocamadour, St Circ, Peche Merle before heading to Toulouse.

Toulouse is not as lovely as either of the regions you are considering, but it IS a wonderful regional airport, and you can get in and out easily. Since you've been to neither before, I think you might enjoy the Northern area ("the Lot") first. You can go back to spend more time to the South on another trip. It is very different. Both regions are wonderful. You can't go wrong.

we stayed in Cabrerets at Un Jardin dans la Falaise. our unit had a little kitchenette which helped.

I like the idea of staying around Figeac (which is lovely in itself) and doing day trips from there.

Any recommendations for accomodation in Figeac (or any of the other places I mentioned (Cordes sur ciel, Conques, Rocamadour, St. Circ)? I checked out Un Jardin dans la Falaise in Cabrerets, but they are booked up.