Hello! We're thinking about exploring France a bit more, so I'd like recommendations on where to go (probably this November). We've been to the south from Nice to Montpellier and to Paris. Where would you recommend for 4-5 days? <BR>Can someone tell me about Dordogne? It seems like a lot of people on Fodors like that area in particular. What towns would one go to there and what are the main sights? <BR>Thanks!!

I liked Bretagne but the weather might be awful by November, The Alps region around Chamonix/Annecy, The Jura, The Alsace, Auvergne, Loire and Alsace. Each one has enough attractiveness to let you enjoy some days.

I forgot to mention Dordogne area is beautiful, a charming countryside, some medieval-looking villages, cliffs and tasty food. Special mention for Sarlat, Rocamadour or Domme.

Thanks, Pedro! And thanks again for all your help with our Madeira trip. We leave next weekend so I'll let you know how it was when we get back. Didn't you just go somewhere?

Provence...bar none, the very best place I've been to in my visits to 21 European countries. J <BR> <BR>Just got bak on Sunday and wish I could go back tomorrow. Great food, great wine, great history, great scenery, great weather and great, friendly people. <BR> <BR>The very best!

Many French will tell you that the Dordogne/Perigord is their favorite part of France. It supposedly has more chateaux than the Loire (though not so grand). I loved the prehistoric caves, even the recreation of Lascaux (which is closed to the public) and Sarlat and Rocamadour. And the food is yummy!

Like TBH, it's Provence for me as well (but, as you noted, you've already covered that area.) <BR> <BR>One of my best friends, another Francophile, loves the Dordogne, especially the towns of Sarlat and Rocamdour (which Pedro already mentioned), and Beynac (which was used in some scenes of <I>Chocolat</I. <BR> <BR>Paige, can't remember if I ever said anything before, but thanks for posting about staying at the Hotel le Cloitre in Arles a few months ago. I'm glad you liked it.

I can't tell you my favorite region of France because there are several. But, I can tell you my favorite places. In Paris, it is Saint-Germain de Pres, especially Le Marche de Buci on the Rue de Buci. I also love the little town of Beune. The old town of Lyon is another favorite. I also adore Biarritz in the summer months. I would love the town of St. Paul de Vence in Provence if there were less tourists. Have a good time-drink lots and lots of Bordeaux. JG

All of France is recommendable, but not in November. Stay in big cities.

I just picked up a book at the library, " The most beautiful Villages of the dordogne" . If you can find it, it may make you want to go there as much as I! Looks spectacular

Jody, my hubby bought the book "The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence" and soon thereafter we went to Provence!

Jody & Paige, I love those "Most Beautiful Villages of..." books. (The ones in the series I'm aware of are Provence, the Dordogne, Burgundy, Brittany, Tuscany, Greece, and New England...and maybe Normandy.) <BR> <BR>Paige, I bought the Provence one after my first visit there, but used it on a subsequent visit to choose hilltowns to explore. The two that looked the most spectacular to me in the book were Peillon and Saorge (both near Nice) and, in person, they were every bit as spectacular as in the glossy photos.