Help with daily itinerary specifics please?

Well-planned. I just have a bit of commentary. 8:30 usually means wheels down at 8:30. Allow 2 hours to disembark and get through immigration, etc. Have you checked what departure times are for your train to St. :Pierre de Corps? You may not make it to your hotel for check-in by 2:00 p.m. If you arrive later, you may not make it to Chenonceau that day. If not, you can fit it in on another day, in lieu of a wine tasting or another chateau, perhaps. But definitely visit Chenonceau. Of all the chateaux, it is the one not to miss.

Happy to see you are visiting a mushroom cave. We wanted to do that went last in the Loire area but didn't find the time. I'm envious!

Where did you find the info about drive time from the Loire Valley to Burgundy? Most sites (Google, viamichelin.com, etc.) list only the time for the drive and don't allow for gas/comfort/food stops, nor for any traffic problems. We almost always drive in France and add 1-2 hours to the suggested drive times (1 hour for a half-day drive, 2 hours for an all-day drive). Factor in an extra hour on that day. If you don't need it. great! If you do, you won't have a disappointment. You have all day that day, so I don't foresee any problems.

Good planning!

Just curious, are your staying in Bergheim the whole time in the Alsace region? Never been there. What made you decide on it? Inquiring minds want to know. Sounds like a great trip! Enjoy!

Hi Judy,

Thanks for your reply and comments:) To answer your questions--

-- Have you checked what departure times are for your train to St. :Pierre de Corps? Yes, I have. I'm afraid to pre-purchase tics because of the unknown time of arrival.

--We're both excited to see a mushroom cave--nerds, aren't we??

--drive time from the Loire Valley to Burgundy? I used both ViaMichelin and Google and added about 45 minutes to the time.

--staying in Bergheim the whole time in the Alsace region? Yes, we're in an Airbnb the entire 4 nights. We chose it because it seemed to have lots of things we like--less busy, well located, natural area, interesting things to see/do right in town and it's the king of Gewurztraminer wines and we like those a lot :)

Please feel free to add additional suggestions :)

About your Paris time:

Monday 27th: I enjoy the Montparnasse Cemetery. I also enjoy the Liberation Museum so if you can work it in later or put it on a future "to-do" list that is good. IF you have an interest in WWII the Army Museum is also good and open on Mondays. They have a Legion of Honor Museum within the Army Museum that honors the resistance fighters. The Army Museum is open every day.

Tuesday 28th: Which walk of GRA's are you using? He does not post on this forum that I know of, just Trip Advisor but knowing where you are going to walk might help with opinions on this day.

Wednesday 29th: This looks fine. Since it's a Wednesday, there should be a Paris Walks tour of Montmartre today. You might have to move Sainte-Chapelle to the afternoon as the walk is at 1030 if you decide this sounds like fun.

https://www.paris-walks.com/summer-walks_m.html

You'll have a great time in France!

Joby,
You are well-prepared and should have a fantastic time. Amusez-vous bien!

Hi Pam,

Thanks for your advice! I always appreciate your suggestions :) We're so excited for our trip.

This is the link to the walk I mentioned: GoingRoundAgain--- https://maps.app.goo.gl/q4dkwqtCWrRnyPKJ7

I've read of the Walks tours, but haven't investigated. I will do so :)

Well, I just saw your other post on the TA Paris forum and commented there because of the map link. (hahaha!!)

I honestly think Champs-Élysées is a fairly boring walk but many feel it's fun to do.

For myself, IF as suggested on your TA thread that you go to Marmottan first and take the Metro Line 9 from La Muette station back to Trocadero, I'd walk along the Seine (either side) from Trocadero to the Grand and Petit Palais and on to the Place de la Concorde. I didn't want to say that on the TA thread because GRA has gone to a lot of work to map out his walk suggestions and I don't want to hurt his feelings.

You can either walk on the river level or you can walk on the street level which is along some shaded paths.

Your choice, though!

Yes, a well-planned itinerary. Keep in mind that you may want to adjust it mid-trip, which is ok - it's your vacation, right?

Vedettes du Pont Neuf. If you can plan your trip so the boat passes by the Eiffel Tower after the sun sets, you'll get to see the Tower all lit up (and perhaps when the lights are blinking).

Re the train on your arrival day. Purchase a changeable ticket for the time that you think is most realistic. If you arrive at the station earlier or later than then, you can change the ticket. We did that once, and arrived early at the train station, so took the earlier train.

It’s a good plan. My only thought is regarding Amboise. Aside from arrival day and Chenonceaux, your sightseeing is oriented west of Tours (much so in Saumur.) While it’s a pretty easy drive on the Autoroute going east/west past Tours, if you stayed somewhere west of Tours it’s a little more convenient. RS guidebook suggests a few towns, including Azay-le-Rideau which seemed like a nice town to stay in when we passed through. You’d have to rearrange your visit to Chenonceaux, but the overall reduced driving is worth considering.

Pam, Thanks for the additional thoughts :)

Lexma, We're thinking about doing the Montparnasse Tower and the Pont Neuf river cruise. One we would like to take during the day and do the other at night. I'm kind of leaning toward the Montparnasse during the day on the first day and the river cruise at night. I could easily be swayed to reverse it though with other's suggestions :) I'll check out the changeable ticket.

awrzesinski , I appreciate your thoughts :) Our lodging is set though. It was hard to find just the right lodging location wise, price wise, and what we wanted in a lodging. We felt like our Loire lodging was the best fit for us.

Does anyone have more specific suggestions for the Burgundy part of our trip? Maybe certain towns/places to visit that might be in the parameters that we have? Specific places or things you have enjoyed? Wineries or tasting spots that were especially good?

I really appreciate all of the input from everyone!

Joby,
When we drove from Chambord (our last stay in the Loire) to Beaune, we stopped at Fontenay Abbey on the way. It was a great choice. The Abbey and grounds are beautiful and peaceful. We spent about 1 1/2-2 hours there. We chose it over Cluny because it was more convenient, but also because it looked to be less touristy. I am so happy we went. You could time it to have a picnic while there. You would have to bring your eats with you, as all that was there when we went was a coffee machine. The day was somewhat cloudy with the sun peeking out sometimes. It made for some great photos. Check it out online. It's truly impressive and lovely.
Just a thought.

According to the blogs the Montparnasse Tower is closing March 31 2026 for a multi-year reno.

https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/in-paris/articles/151159-renovation-of-montparnasse-tower-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-2028-project

Joby, an alternative for a great view of Paris is the Panorama level at the Pantheon if your up for the climb. And a visit to the crypt is fascinating. Your best first time view of the Eiffel Tower, day or night is from the Place du Trocadero.

Judy, Thanks for the idea. We ALWAYS picnic/eat from a cooler at least once/day on trips.

Oooohhh, Pam, I think you just saved me a panic attack with that info on the Montparnasse Tower closing! Thanks so much for passing that along :)

jeanm, I appreciate the mention of the Pantheon view. I looked and it is nice. Now we just need to decide on what view and what time of day :) I was also thinking of the free views from Galleries Lafayette and Printemps maybe?

I'm rethinking our first day in Paris now--I also saw the Passy cemetery looks like a good spot to photograph and is not as big or busy as the other famous cemeteries. I'm trying to utilize time and logistics best for us. Maybe I should wipe our 1st day clean and rethink it entirely?

Thank you all :)

Joby. Are you getting the Passion Monuments Subscription? If so, both the Pantheon and Panorama and Sainte-Chapelle are included, as well as the Towers of Notre Dame.

Btw, I'm with Pam regarding the Champs-Elysee. Most of the avenue seems to be filled with car dealers, fast food restaurants and little charm. There are some great viewpoints, such at the Place de la Concorde looking west to the Arc de Triomphe.

Clue me in on the Eglise Notre Dame du Travail, please. I'm not familiar with it.

I prefer the Seine cruise at night with Paris lit up and the Eiffel Tower sparkling.

I took the Paris Walks Montmartre tour in 2023 and thought Peter did an excellent job of bringing the old Montmartre to life.

Your going to have a great trip!