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France; wine and beaches

Planning for the last 2 weeks in September. Would like to start by beaches and also do a few wine regions..Considering Nice, Provence, Bordeaux , Marsielle & Loire Valley. Will rent a car were needed. Want to enjoy the small towns and see sights, plus get beach time if water is still warm. 2 week vacation. If I can have a home base fine, if not at least a 2-3 days in a few places. Please give me any insights, first trip to France. Not interested in Paris. Thanks

Posted by
1980 posts

In the Riviera, Nice, 4 nights (3 days) (lots to see there and nearby); in Provence, Bandol, as a suggestion 3 nights ( 2 days) (east of Marseille by an hour, charming small town, sandy beach, nearby wineries); Bordeaux, 4 nights (3 days) (perfect for wine options with St. Emilion nearby) but his will mean pretty much a full day lost in transit; Loire Valley, 4 nights (3 days) another long transit day. So as a sample:
Nights 1-4 Nice
Nights 5-7 Bandol
Nights8-11 Bordeaux
Nights 12-15 Loire Valley
I think you might need to drop one location, probably Bandol (Provence) or Bordeaux or Loire Valley. Nice and Provence are fairly adjacent. Travel to Bordeaux from there and from Bordeaux to Loire can be slow if driving. A car isn't really necessary in Nice. Good to have in Provence. Bordeaux not necessary. Good to have in the Loire. Check the train options between locations. This can be faster.

Sorry this is a bit cryptic. BTW if you don't need a beach in Provence, there is lots to see and do inland in the Provence area. It is about 12,000 sq. miles with innumerable charming locations. It might work out well for your two weeks to get a car for Provence and spend 5 nights (4 days) in the area (e.g. St. Remy de Provence), then choose between Bordeaux and Loire for the next 4 nights. Save the last night for a place near CDG if that is where you are flying home from.
I would try to narrow down your selections fairly soon to find lodgings in your locations. If you haven't looked through a travel guide (Riock Steves, Lonely Planet, etc.), do so. The libraries usually have copies. Older ones give you an idea of what to see. Their hotel recs, etc. may be out of date, but you will get a picture of what is out there.
One hint....when you picture yourself in France, what do you see yourself doing? And do you like to explore ancient sites, art museums, hiking in the countryside, tasting food and wines, relaxing with a glass of wine and some bread and cheese? All of the above? That will help forum members to make suggestions.
Bonne chance!

Posted by
1980 posts

P.S. Most beaches on the Riviera are not sand, but rocks or pebbles. Bandol, in Provence, does have a sand beach., and there are others nearby, just in case you are still interested.

Posted by
392 posts

With two weeks I might consider the Bordeaux area (Bordeaux center, St. Émilion, Pessac-Léognan for wine) then visit Arcachon (charming bayside town), Hossigor (famous for surfing), Bayonne (heart of Basque country), Biarritz (glamourous with great beaches), St. Jean de Luz (charming seaside Basque town with a beautiful, calm beach.) The food, wine, culture and friendliness of the southwest is incredible. If you want to venture out further, I might suggest La Rochelle and Île de Ré (beautiful areas on the Atlantic Ocean) OR Sète and Montpellier (both on the mediterrean). All are about a 3-3.5 hr drive from Bordeaux.