Wondering where you could recommend for a late November (Thanksgiving time but possibly extending the week before or after)?
Not really a fan of large cities (maybe just a day in Paris before or after the flight) and have previously done a little in Provence and Marseilles.
We like nature/countryside, picturesque towns, walks, historical sites, less crowded places, etc. will also be traveling with a 5 year old. Thanks!
Are you at all interested in Christmas markets? I mean the genuine ones, not the dire imitations in Paris. If so, Metz, Nancy, or Colmar might fit the bill. Not big cities, but all have wonderful Christmas markets.
The Strasbourg Christmas markets are excellent as well.
People are suggesting Christmas markets, but that is more of a December thing, not November, right?
You did not mention having been to Normandy, that is good for 3 or 4 days, easy by train to/from Paris.
The Christmas markets start the weekend of Thanksgiving, for those US readers here. That's why I thought of them. The heading of the OP's inquiry says "late November", so it may work.
Also, I didn't recommend Strasbourg as the OP says they're not a fan of large cities, and I think Strasbourg qualifies. Others may disagree :)
If you can schedule for the first week in December, consider the Fête des Lumières, in Lyon. Granted, this is a bit off base from the preferences described in your post (big city, crowds). But it is an unforgettable experience, and something that would be a lot of fun for your child. Search Google and YouTube for examples from previous years. I posted a couple of videos from my visit to Lyon in 2017, but there are many more online.
November can be a good time, but you must be lucky with the weather. If it doesn’t rain you can do a lot of outdoor activities.
You don’t talk about having a car, but for your plans you will need one to my opinion. In Alsace you can stay for instance in lovely places like Bergheim, Barr of Sélestat. They are off-the-beaten-path, but close located to the A35 freeway to get easily to, if you wish, Strasbourg, Colmar and Obernai. Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg and nearby Monkey Mountain are easy to get from Sélestat and the abbey of Mont Sainte-Odille easy to reach from Barr. From the ch6ateau and the abbey nice views of the Rhine Valley along the Franco-German border.
What about a smaller place near Nice, such as Villefranche-sur-Mer? There is a lot to see near there. When we visited we met people from England and Sweden who spent a month or more in the area every winter to enjoy the milder weather.
I stayed in Bayeux and did a tour of D-day sites in Normandy and then a tour to Mt St. Michel the next day. I think this would be a nice trip in late November, perhaps very raw on the D-day beaches but you could bundle up. There are a lot of historical sites and museums in that area worth seeing although maybe not appropriate for a 5 yr old. Bayeux is charming.
Since you've done Provence, I'd suggest Dordogne, where you can check out medieval castles, cave paintings at Lascaux, gorgeous river valleys, and villages like Sarlat. Your kids would love the prehistoric stuff too. The Loire Valley is another great pick with fairy-tale châteaux, easy walking paths, and quiet villages.
You can also check this article if curious to know more: https://thetraveltweaks.com/paris-itinerary/
