I will be in France for 2 weeks at the end of October--one week in Paris and one week somewhere else. Am thinking of spending that week in Normandy, Alsace or Dordogne. For that week, I'd like to stay in or near a small village from which I can go to markets, cook meals, relax, take walks in pretty countryside, and possibly see some birds.
May plan to go to Normandy from Paris anyway to see the WWII sites, so maybe that is the direction I should head. Have seen Mt. St. Michel, been to Brittany, and don't need to be on the coast. Perhaps somewhere on the cider route would be good, or should I head for better weather in the Dordogne.
I've done a lot of reading, but am very confused.
Thank you for you help.

All three areas have their charms but the Dordogne is especially
worthy of a week's visit. It has everything you asked for and more.

Have you checked out a Cadogan guidebook? IMO, it's the best for
any area of France but the Dordogne one is particularly useful.