For an off-season trip to Southwest France (Dordogne, Aquitaine, Languedoc) would someone care to suggest the preferred period: 1) Late May/June or 2) Late Sept/Oct? Thanks.

Jim--<BR>It's nearly a tossup in every category: number of tourists, weather, availability of hotels, and costs. It comes down to personal preference: do you want the spring or the fall? Personally, I'd vote for the fall because if there is any advantage, it might be that there will be a smaller number of tourists. Once you get to the month of June in that part of France, the tourist influx begins to mount. In Sept/Oct you'll be catching it on the downturn. Given all of this information, which is based on averages, you could still have a non-average climate at any time in any of those places.

I would opt for early September

I've visited Perigord, Gascogne, Aquitaine & the Languedoc regions in May.. and the weather is delightful. Try going in early to mid May to avoid crowds later in May/June.<BR><BR>Regards..<BR>Luis

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts.

Jim, I was in the Dordogne this past September and it was beautiful. The weather was warm but not hot (about 24 degrees celcius) and most of the tourists had left. I went to Baynac castle and had the place to myself!

The only times I've visited that part of France were September/October, and it's been fantastic. Rain sometimes, not cold (sweater weather), lots of sun, manageable tourist quantity.