Greetings to all.... It has been quite some time since I asked for advice here and it feels good to be back. I will be booking our tickets tonight, In and out of Paris. I wanted to fly open jaw, Paris-Nice.... not possible, as I am booking with credit card points and I am shy about 50,000 points. This will be our first international trip since the pandemic. We were last in Italy, November'19. So, fast forward, this will be our first visit to France and I don't have a clue, really, about an itinerary. We will have 9 nights on the ground. I was thinking 3 nights in Paris. I know each region is special. I originally wanted to go to the South of France, but I am open to whatever makes sense logistically. We will travel only on the train or maybe take an occasional bus for day trips. Our interests are mainly just taking in the culture, strolling the streets. We are not interested in museums. During past trips, It seem that we were happier in small to medium sized cities but I do know, Paris can't be missed. Thanks for any and all advice to get me started. This forum is what gave us the confidence to take our European journeys way back in 2013( I think it was 13). PS... I have the RS France book and have been researching.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
399 posts
For only 9 nights you might consider a triangle of Paris, Avignon and Dijon. Or a pair with just one or the other with Paris. A good variety. About 3 hours train on the TGV each segment. And since you have to fly home from Paris you might consider powering through the arrival day and going on to Avignon or Dijon the same day and put all your Paris days at the end.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3177 posts
I second Laurie’s suggestion heading to Avignon on your day of arrival. You can get a direct train from CDG and it takes about 3 hours but the trains are very comfortable and you can relax or walk around a little bit. Arles is an easy day trip from Avignon. Then take the train from Avignon to Lyon - a great city for a 3 day stop - and back to Paris.
Posted by
Washington DC
27205 posts
There's a lot of variety in Provence, so for just nine nights (only eight non-jetlagged days), I'd stick with Paris and Provence. I liked Lyon a lot, but I wouldn't include it here. Aside from inadequate time, Lyon is a large city, and you'll already have one of those with Paris.
But when is the trip? I like to take weather into account when I select from a wealth of possible destinations.
There are many, many other possibilities (Alsace, the Riviera, the Dordogne, Normandy, Brittany), but I think Paris + Provence is a very good combination.
Posted by
OP
Georgia, Now Florida
267 posts
Thanks, so much for those replies. Oh yes, the trip is, arrival on May 21 '23
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10226 posts
With such a short time period, you should limit yourself to two places. I'm assuming your miles are with Delta or Air France, since they are the only carriers flying directly into Nice from the US. I would still find a way to fly directly to Nice on the first day, even if you have a revenue ticket tacked on to your itinerary, as we did recently. One flew with miles and the other ticket we bought. You could stay 5 nights in Nice, which is actually 4 days because the first day is jet lagged). Then you cold take an early train to Paris (6 hours) or a flight (Air France to CDG or Easy Jet to Orly) for four nights, which is really three days. This way you are in place to get to the airport for your flight to the US. As you can see, with 9 days, one jet lag day, one transition between cities, you really have 7.5 days on the ground. I strongly advise against moving around more.
Also, you didn't say when you are traveling, but that does have impact. Edit: Ok I see your dates now. Good season everywhere. Avignon would have all the wildflowers on the hills for your day trips outside Avignon, Dijon and Burgundy are green and beautiful, the Riviera is lovely. Pay attention the weekend from Friday 26th through Monday the 29th. It's a 3-day weekend, starting after work on Friday through Monday night. Trains and trains will be crowded.
Posted by
OP
Georgia, Now Florida
267 posts
Bets..... Sounds like another reason to do Paris last.... To avoid train travel on the 3 day weekend
Posted by
Washington DC
27205 posts
I would probably not fly into Nice if I wanted to spend time in Provence. (It would be by far the best option if you are focused on the Riviera.) The trains from Nice to Avignon at sane hours take over 4 hours, whereas some of the TGV train routings all the way from CDG Airport take less time than that.