Looks like we can change our FF tickets so now we'll have one week (instead of the original 21 days). We were going to split the time in the Perpignan and Bordeaux areas but now that we have less time we have to pick just one region to explore. (To keep costs down we'll be renting a flat or small home and we have small kids so we don't want to do too much bouncing around -day trips are good though.) Ok so my question...we're obviously intrigued by both areas I was wondering if anyone who has been to both areas (or just one) can give me their opinion on which would be a better (I use the term loosley becuase I know they both have their charme.) base for a week.
We love the beach, the markets, cafe life, watching boules, enjoying the local vineyards...not too big on museums or visiting cathedrals. Would love to visit prehistoric sites.
Just interested in others thoughts. Thanks so much!

What time of year are you traveling? I just returned from 10 days in the Perpignan area. We rented just outside of Prades - terrific accommodation - here's the link -

http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/accom/3974.html

It's very hard to choose, but we very much enjoyed the Perpignan area. Lots of interesting, accessible day trips - to the beach, viewing the Pyrenees, the little yellow train, crossing into Spain, etc. Also, the prices overall were quite reasonable and the weather is generally good (although it's very hot in the summer, if that's when you're going).

The above accommodation is good for families as there is a lovely pool so you can just laze around as well. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply...we will be going in the summer (early July). I read Perpignan is "the hottest part of France" but I can't imagine it being that much hotter than any other part - or am I wrong?

Last year we visited the Corbieres area and visited several towns including Carcassonne which has an old walled city. We also went to Lagrasse which is on the list of "France's Most Beautiful Villages". I would also go to Collioure just down from Perpignan. It is a great little seaside village where Henri Mattisse lived. There's a great Travel & Leisure article about the area. The link is http://www.travelandleisure.com/invo...AC0002B3309983

If the link doesn't work just go to the site and type in Corbieres

Split the difference and spend your whole time in the Dordogne, which is prettier and more interesting than either Bordeaux or Perpignan - though both those cities and areas have their strong points.

You won't lack opportunities to swim. Not only are there beaches on the rivers, there are lakes. And no shortage of prehistoric caves and other things to entertain small children.

I think Perpignan (and area) can be pretty hot - the owners at the gite we stayed said it topped out at 44 degrees during the heat wave in August of last year......but don't take my word for it.

have visited perpignan area many times, Canet is good town for beach and shopping, many street stalls line the promenade in the evening also lots of restaurants. Main shopping town is on the spanish border Le Perthus - fantastic prices, mostly Spanish owned shops. Kids love 'Water World' (Aqualand) just south of St Cyprien Plage - they can spend entire day there.

Thanks for the tips all! I think we are going to save Dordogne for the fall or Spring 2005.
Peteram-I was wondering how the beaches rate in the Perpignan area. I am assuming they are sandy...is that true?

Many, many beaches all along the coast, they all have life - guards on duty until 6.00 pm and all are clean. safe areas are marked with flags, the sea is usually calm, waves are small, very safe for kids. i used to always go to royan region just north of bordeaux but have found climate much better on Med coast .beaches on bordeaux side- sea is rougher, coast south of bordeaux is ideal for surfers. beaches here are also patroled with life guards.

Another vote for Perpignan. The beaches nearby are sandy and wonderful. On a windy day, there is lovely surf. On quiet days, little or no surf. If you head to Canet Plage and go south about a mile, there is a huge, lovely long beach with free parking. There are lots of families there.

Do make a day trip to Collioure and also try to visit some of the Cathar sites in the area. There is a crazy theme park not too far away. Here's my journal entry for part of the day.

"We got off the N20 (south of Foix) at the Parc Pyrénéen de l?Art Préhistorique which is a combination theme park and educational venture about cave paintings. It was fun ? you get to walk through waterfalls and fountains. If you time it right, you stay dry ? we managed. There is a laser radio guided tour through antiquity and they had a British version. We particularly enjoyed cave paintings from California and our friend Kokopelli from New Mexico. They had interesting seats for the shows ? a large bar to sit on with a small bar for your feet. As you walk through the park, you pass a herd of cement buffalo (American bison), a torrent (waterfall) and go through a maze. There is ancient sounding flute music to accompany you through the bamboo maze. I?m happy to report we did find our way out!"

There were lots of French families there and the kids all appeared to be having a grand time.

Sorry about all the extra question marks above. I forgot you have to save into Notepad or Wordpad and then copy into Fodors. Ah . . . a senior moment!!

For good aerial photo of beach mentioned above log onto www.brasilia.fr. notice the marks on the sand - made by beach cleaning machine early each morning. The town in the picture is Canet, the mountains are pyrenees. - only posting this now due to time diff in europe

While I also love the Dordogne I do think that the region around Perpignan is often overlooked and has much to offer particularly if you do like the coast. The beaches from Port Barcarès to Argelès are all wide and sandy and good for children. Personally I think that Argelès is one of the more attractive beaches as there is a strip of vegetation and then a boardwalk and lawn between the beach and the road. Colliore is indeed a lovely town but is a port rather than a beach. I agree with a earlier poster that the Cathar castles are well worth a visit - there are about 5, each in spectacular hilltop locations.
It is a fair drive to the west but you could reach the Grotte de Niaux which has some lovely examples of prehistoric cave art.
It is true that this area is one of the hottest in France in summer, and I believe that they did have temperatures over 40 degrees C last summer - that was generally a hot summer though I think.
We have some photos of the area on our website (http://www.lexicon.com.au/gyeaman/claira.html )
We also rent our house near the coast - if interested I would be happy to propide details via email

There are actually two small beaches right in Collioure (very small). They are used mostly by locals. I wouldn't recommend them as beaches because they are so protected there is absolutely no surf unless there are very high winds. You go to Collioure for the ambiance. For beaches, go to the other recommended places.