Holiday accommodation advice - South of France

[B3Svert]

To get over all the doom and gloom, and throwing caution to the wind I have decided to book a holiday for next summer. If the world economy does not implode, Korea does not nuke us and cars have not been outlawed I am planning on me, the OH (and hopefully the dog) to either take the motorail from Calais to Toulouse (although animals are not allowed on this route) or the autotrain from Paris to Toulouse (animals allowed).

Arrive in the morning, full day and night in Toulouse (used to live there so sorted on sights/hotel there)
Second day down to Carcassonne, again sorted for that one.

After that, not really sure what to do apart from head south east down to the coast, have a look around there and after a week in total drive back through Monaco/Switzerland back to Calais or turn back around to Nice and take the autotrain back.

I would really prefer the majority of the accommodation to be in Gites/Auberge style instead of hotels, so any recommendations on good quality preferably dog-friendly places would be appreciated

Any suggestions of places to visit heading East from Carcassonne would also be good, it's been 8 years since I was last there and the memory is not up to much....

Cheers,
E

[sassthathoopie]

I would recommend a stop in the Avingnon/Cote D'Rhone area, including a run up Mont Ventoux. I stayed here for a night and made use of their sunken private jacuzzi with my girlfriend...

http://www.lemasdelatreille.com/en/index.htm

They serve very good evening food in their dining room or on the terrace. The two guys that run it are as camp as a row of tents, but the building and service are excellent. They do a champagne and rose petals service for the jacuzzi whilst you're eating if you'd like to impress the missus.

This website is also helpful

http://www.i-escape.com/home.php

Try to check out the Gorge du Verdon, Col du Turini, and the southern end of the Route Napolean

Enjoy