GiGiGi

We will be traveling by car from the Dordogne in France to Barcelona (via the Costa Brava). What suggestions might anyone have for charming places to visit en route as well as a great place to stay, possibly along the French coast.
Thank you for your generous sharing of knowledge of this area.

Michael

My impression is that the charming places to see and stay along that part of the Mediterranean coast are close to the Spanish border. Consider searching for attractive places to visit in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Mirepoix is an attractive town. Closer to the Dordogne you might want to see the main 17th cent. square in Montauban and the Ingres museum, or stop in Albi to see the cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum.

sfgirl42

You don't say when you're going to be travelling as weather/time of year would affect some responses...if soon, then get to the coast as soon as possible for the cooler weather. I second the advice on Mirepoix. Beautiful charming, enough British expats live in the area so it's easy there if you don't speak much French.
If you have time, get a copy of Rough Guide Languedoc-Roussillion.
www.creme-de-languedoc.com/index.php
is a website that can give you an overview of the area and links for more info.
What are your specific interests, if any? (wine, barge trips, old castles, prehistoric art caves?)

Whatever and whenever, hope it's a wonderful trip!

yestravel

Only visited Mirepox for an afternoon and found it to be delightful. I really like Colliure-- on the coast in France.
Not exactly sure where u will be but we have stayed a couple times in Cuq-en-terrase in Cuq Toulza http://www.cuqenterrasses.com/uk/index.php. Absolutely a charming place with wonderful owners, great food and very relaxing and lots to see and do in the area.
In Costa Brava Girona is a nice city, Cadaques is on the coast and an intersting town--Dali's house is there.
Lots of places to choose from -- have a great trip!

StCirq

Collioure, though it will be jammed in high season. Still, it's a lovely artists' venue that's highly picturesque. Also Port-Vendu. For me, the towns get less interesting and less pretty as you head south into Spain.

DougP

Villefranche de Conflent. It's a walled town in the south of France on N116 between Andorra and Perpignan. Designated by France as one of the most beautiful small towns in the country.
Second the suggestion of Collioure and also would add Ax les Thermes which has a casino right next to the hot springs.
If you drive, the first town in Spain on the coast is Port Bou. The town is not the high point, the drive across the border is. There are buildings left as remnants of the time when there was passport control. It's very evocative of an earlier time.

GiGiGi

Thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions. We will be there in mid June 2011. We love being near the water and hope to visit both caves and castles. We love small charming towns, good food and time to just enjoy a glass of wine while watching the world pass by.
I will be researching all of your wonderful suggestions.
Thank you