We will be in Beaune early to mid July for 1 week wedding ... and then have five free additional days. What suggestions might you have for making the most of those extra days? We will be traveling by train, possibly car rental if need be. We like staying in one or two spots to really get to know the little town/community. We can fly out of Paris or anywhere else on our multi-city travel voucher.
Posted by
Washington DC
28085 posts
There are many wonderful places in that part of France; I suggest picking up a comprehensive guide book that covers eastern France. Just considering places that move you toward Paris, I enjoyed Dijon and Troyes very much. Troyes is a stiking town with much half-timbered architecture. It isn't a tiny place, but it gets relatively few foreign tourists, and I felt like I was the only American there. Vezelay and Sens are two places I haven't seen, but I remember positive comments about them on this forum. Really, you are spoiled for choice; you could head west toward Bourges, Orleans and/or Chartres.
You can check train availability on the Deutsche Bahn website, but when you're ready to look at fares, you'll need to use the SNCF website.
If trains for your dates are not yet displayed, use dates in the first week of June (appropriate days of the week). One thing to watch out for is a travel pattern that requires you to take a train into Paris, change trains (sometimes even changing stations, which is annoying) and another train back out again. That will make the trip take longer (obviously) and substantially increase the cost, especially if two express trains (TGVs) are involved. You don't have a lot of time, and there are many great places to see; I'd pay considerable attention to laying out a logical travel path that gives me the maximum amount of sightseeing time and the minimum amount of travel time.
Unless you end up on regional trains (TERs), you will save considerable money if you can pin down your travel schedule and buy (non-refundable/non-changeable) tickets early. For short trips on TERs, there's no advantage to buying early.
It may be quite hot in that part of France in July, though moderate temperatures are also possible. The only way to be sure of escaping the heat is to go high up in the mountains or head to Normandy/Brittany. With the limited time you have available, I wouldn't recommend the Normandy/Brittany approach. Be sure all your lodgings are air-conditioned.
I have no experience renting a car in Europe. Figure out where you want to go first, then consider renting if it seems to make sense.
Posted by
France
408 posts
Hi Marilyn,
I am an American who used to live in Lyon before moving to southern Burgundy (Bourgogne). I'm quite familiar with the area you're considering. What are your interests? Objectives for this trip? Knowing that would help me (and the others reading your response) offer more useful, targeted, suggestions.
Thanks!