New to RS forum ... Im in the early stages of planning a trip to France and could use some help. Booked Fight into Paris, have reservations for three nights in city. Thinking a week in Dordogne Valley and a week in Provence. Considering how to work Normandy into the mix. Not real interested in museums there only seeing the sights. So one itinerary would be Train to Caen , rent car and we are off.... My concern is that we would spend too much time driving down to Dordogne from Normandy (Quaint towns to see along the way would help this decision). Otherwise would take train from Paris to Bordeaux ...get car there then off. During the week in Dordogne I need a recommendation for a quiet centurally located town to stay. We would like to do day trips and return to a town where there are restaurants to choose from we could walk to. Same concept in Provence. SO lets get started on this agenda and see what we can come up with.....Thanks so much, Jane
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8967 posts
janie, Normandy is a whole State. What are the specific sights there, in which you are interested?
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
Hi Jane - on our two stays in the Dordogne region with a car, Beynac was a perfect place to stay. In Provence (which we visited in July August this year), Avignon is the ideal place to stay without a car, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is ideal with a car. Be prepared for narrow roads and speeding drivers, though!
For what it's worth, years ago we took the train from Paris to Bordeaux, stopping for a couple days in the Loire region en route. We rented a car there and stayed in a gite for a week near of the city of Bordeaux, in Saint-Andre-De-Cubzac, the birthplace of Jacques Cousteau.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I was thinking Honfleur, Bayeux, Mont saint Michel......but open for ideas
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
388 posts
Those are good options for things to see in Normandy. Since the places you want to see are far apart from each other you may want to spend at least 2-3 full days in the region and factor in driving time. As for things to see en route to Dordogne region you would be going directly through the heart of the Loire valley. Towns worth checking out there are Tours, Amboise, and Blois. There are a number of little chateaux to see as well like Chenonceau and Chambord among others.
In the Dordogne, consider towns like Sarlat, Beynac or some other small town along the river. With a car, you'll be more open to the small towns that don't have public transportation.
I hope this helps some.