My wife and I are planning our usual Burgundy-and-some-other-place trip for May. This time, we plan to transition from Beaune to Cahors on the backroads, taking a couple of days to get there, then spend a few days in/near Cahors. Suggestions for interesting stops, wine, villages, places to stay and dine along the way after leaving Beaune would be appreciated.
If you’re driving here is one route with things to do along the way. We always take the backroads- the smaller the better for us.
Troisgros - the best dining experience
Puy de Dome - an extinct volcano with a tram to the top
Saint Saturnin - stay in this castle http://www.chateaudesaintsaturnin.com/
Saint Nectaire (the town) - visit the fermier production of the cheese
Gouffre de Padirac - a boat ride deep inside an amazing cave
Towns around Cahors
Rocamadour
Sarlat
La Roque Gageac
Beynac
Castlenaud
Daglan - dinner at http://www.le-petit-paris.fr/ in a well preserved village
Jerry, thanks … very helpful!
First you have to decide which route you are going to follow, as France is full of nice stuff to see! I’m of course being totally impartial here 
Depending on the time you have and how interested you are of visiting 3-star Michelin restaurants, you could go to Troisgros (Roanne), then Régis Marcon (east of Yssingeaux), drive the great Margeride scenic road between Le Puy en Velay and Marvejols (there’s also the Beast of the Gévaudan museum) then cross to Bras (Laguiole) and the knife shops. Then finish the itinerary through Averyon to Cahors.
You can also go a bit of south of Mende to Sainte-Énimie (one of the most beautiful villages in France) and the Gorges du Tarn (Sainte-Enimie - Wikipedia). If you enjoy history the whole area was a high place for Templars and other Knight Orders.
Visit Chateau Beynac: Château de Beynac - Wikipedia
If the budget allows, stay at Chateau de Mercues outside Cahors: http://www.chateaudemercues.com/index.php/en.html
Near Cahors are a couple of amazing prehistoric caves, with paintings/drawings. One is at Pech Merle, which is about 30-minute drive from Cahors. For more remarkable prehistoric cave wall paintings and engravings, then go to Font-de-Gaume in Les Eyzies du Tayac. Both of these are well worth, imho, the drive within the Dordogne/Perigord areas.
I second the suggestion on visiting Rocamodour , which is a very pretty cliff side town, very imposing/breathtaking view as you approach the town from afar, and a town that veers more towards a religious theme.
Near Rocamodour is another pretty town of Saint Cirq Lapopie where there are many good restaurants specializing on regional dishes.
This past September, we stayed at the castle in St. Saturnin that Jerry Hey mentioned–it was a great place and the owners are charming.
I’ll echo the recommendations of Font de Gaume, Sarlat and Rocamadour. Seeing the cave paintings of Font de Gaume was an extraordinary experience.