There are a lot of UK visitors and UK permanents in the Dordogne and in summer it can become quite crowded. Why not consider the Lot or Aveyron (more French and never crowded at any time of the year). From the Lot you can be in the Dordogne in less than half an hour, depending on where you stay. Aveyron not as easy, but it has great scenic interest all of its own. The Lot has 450 protected sites - many World Heritage. It also has the Peche Merle caves, but they are the real thing, unlike Lascaux, the original of which you cannot see any longer. Rocamadour, St Cirq Lapopie, Pont Valentre and better access to, say Cordes Sur Ciel or the World Heritage Abbey at Moissac. Collonges is also nearby to Rocamadour. And the Lot has the highest percentage of Michelin starred restaurants per head, in all of France. Being the Lot, the prices are more reasonable too. There are other restaurants of equal standard - read the book "You Can't See Paris From Here"? If you want a relaxed uncrowded time among the French with good food and wine and plenty of history - try the Lot or Aveyron.

Susan, thanks for sharing more information about these beautiful areas.

We hiked a week through the Lot this summer and enjoyed the landscape and the villages... lots of history, as you say. And a couple of years ago we spent two weeks in Turenne, in the Correze, another less-visited but very beautiful part of France. We found so much to do within an hour's drive. (For anyone interested, here are some photos of this area-- including several places mentioned by Susan.)

Kathy

We did a week in the Dordogne and a week in the Languedoc 4 yrs ago and loved both areas - we felt there was enough yet to see in the Dordogne we returned the next year for another week and a week in the Lot-I believe I wrote up the gite rented there - lovely gite and plenty to see in the Lot - not as glitzy maybe as the Dordogne but very interesting as well. We go in May before the big tourist rush tho! You will enjoy either but crowds may be less in the Lot!

The Lot valley and Aveyron are splendid locales. Estaing, Espalion, and a special favorite - Conques - are a shear delight. If I may be permitted a blasphemy - I prefer these areas to Provence.

Below is a snap of Estaing.

Another little known area - Lozere :







It has the lowest population density of any French Dept.



Peter

My son spent a year in Rodez.
Young early 20s guy that he was, he considered himself to be living in a backwater. But when I visited and we walked central Rodez and drove around the countryside, I was enchanted. I particularly remember Najac.

We're headed to Lot in May, and I can't wait. We predict that it will be perfect for us.
I must make an enthusiastic comment about that book mentioned above - You Can't See Paris from Here. I read it years ago and had forgotten about it. It was wonderful - it told so much about village life in France, but also about the art and hard work of running a restaurant. Fascinating book, and a great read.
Linda