Hi, I will have nine nights to spend in France following two weeks in Italy (Almafi coast, Tuscany, Florence, Lake Como). We will leave Italy from Milan after our time in the lakes. I was thinking we will focus on Eastern France for this first trip, since we’re coming from Italy. I was hoping for 2-3 nights in Provence and Beaune, then leaving 4 nights in Paris, which is where we’ll fly home from. I’m struggling to find direct flights from Milan, except for into Paris. So would it make sense to fly into Paris then train to Beaune, then Provence, then a fast train back to Paris? Seems like I’m really backtracking this way. But maybe it’s the most efficient plan? Just curious if anyone has any better ideas.
A little background: our trip will be in early May 2023, we plan on renting a car in either Provence or Beaune, whichever makes the most sense, maybe both? We are in our 50s, active, we love wine, hiking and biking, beautiful scenery, cute villages, as well as historical sights and museums sprinkled in.
I’m in the early stages of planning, but I’m stumped on where to focus our time in France given the logistics of getting to the areas I’m interested in coming from Italy. I’d love any advice or tips, please help me think this through!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4876 posts
There are flights from Milan to Marseille, but I think only Ryanair has a direct flight. The others require a connection. You would want to rent a car to explore Provence, possibly staying near Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. Then take the train to Beaune and again train to Paris.
But Provence isn't in Eastern France. It's in the south. Given all the travel, you'd only have 2 days plus a bit in each of these places. I'd be more tempted to just pick one of them, and split the time between it and Paris. Unless you've already been to Paris multiple times.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7307 posts
Hi, I’m only sending this link because you’re still in the early stages of planning. We usually stay within one country for our 3-week trips, but this one was Italy & France. It might give you some ideas. Annecy is near Chamonix if the hikes that you like include mountain scenery. All of this was just traveling by train.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-weeks-in-italy-france-french-locations
Posted by
Iowa
4 posts
Why not take the train?
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
From Milan you can fly to Lyon on Air France Hop, per wiki, then rent a car. It's about 2 hours drive to Beaune
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Hi, and thank you so much for your responses above.
We have decided to choose between Provence and Burgundy rather than trying to do both. So I’m looking at 4 nights in either and leaving 5 nights for Paris since we’ve never been there. Thanks for that advice!
From the comments above, I’m now thinking of these three options:
Fly direct from Milan to Marseille. This Ryanair direct flight comes up on Wednesdays through October when I search, after that they don’t show anymore. We will be traveling in May 10, which is a Wednesday so that’s perfect, but I’m not sure if I can expect that they will add flights later since I’m searching so far out or if they have dropped that route. Or maybe they discontinue it over the slow season?
Take a train from Milan to Nice, stay one night in Nice, then take a train the next day to Marseille. The stop in Nice would break up a long travel day, and this would be a chance to see a bit of the Riviera on the way. I read somewhere that it is a scenic train route, so it could be a relaxing way to make the trip?
Fly direct from Milan to Lyon, and explore Burgundy rather than the Provence area. I fell in love with the idea of Beaune, biking between vineyards that I saw somewhere. But looking at comments in forums, it seems that Provence may have more to offer, cute villages to visit, etc. Would four nights in Beaune be a bit too long?
Jean, thank you for sharing your itinerary, I do love the idea of Annecy, I’m sure we would love that area. For this trip I think we’re more focused on centering around the wine regions, but this will be on my someday list!
Any advice as to how to choose? I know you probably can’t go wrong given these options. I’d love any input any of you have!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4876 posts
Cerastez, did you post on the wrong thread? Your Paris itinerary does not relate to the OPs question about Provence vs Beaune.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13952 posts
Yes, Cerastez, I’d recommend you start a thread of your own if you’d like input on your itinerary. There are several things I’d comment on if this weren’t someone else’s thread!!
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
I'd fly from Milan to Nice if you can Marseille is not a favorite of mine. 1.Fly direct from Milan to Marseille. This Ryanair direct flight comes up on Wednesdays through October when I search, after that they don’t show anymore. We will be traveling in May 10, which is a Wednesday so that’s perfect, but I’m not sure if I can expect that they will add flights later since I’m searching so far out or if they have dropped that route. Or maybe they discontinue it over the slow season?
**Nice would need more than one day and Marseille is not worth any days. I'd fly to Nice and stay there but the train from Milan to Nice would be a waste of a day. ** 2.Take a train from Milan to Nice, stay one night in Nice, then take a train the next day to Marseille. The stop in Nice would break up a long travel day, and this would be a chance to see a bit of the Riviera on the way. I read somewhere that it is a scenic train route, so it could be a relaxing way to make the trip?
I think this makes the most sense to me 4 nights 3 full days would be great for this area. 3.Fly direct from Milan to Lyon, and explore Burgundy rather than the Provence area. I fell in love with the idea of Beaune, biking between vineyards that I saw somewhere. But looking at comments in forums, it seems that Provence may have more to offer, cute villages to visit, etc. Would four nights in Beaune be a bit too long?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
To clarify, in options 1 and 2 I would go through Marseille only as a transportation hub, and from there rent a car and explore Provence, possibly staying in Aix or Arles. Sorry I wasn’t clear on that point, since I’m so focused on the logistics of getting to the area. Thanks for you advice, I am definitely considering Burgundy since the flight seems to work well, and our trip afterwards to Paris would be shorter. Plus the wine…
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
Don't know if you're a cyclist at all but biking the Burgundy is super fun. I still think its your best choice based on timing and ease