Help with travel iteneray

I suggest checking your driving-time estimates against those provided by ViaMichelin, which is the source usually recommended here, though it's generally thought to be a bit optimistic. Don't forget that no one's estimates will include time for stops or for traffic tie-ups. Looking for parking is going to be a drag in any city of size.

I think you're spending a lot of time in a car, hopping around from region to region, consigning yourself to a series of 1-night and 2-night stays. I would find that very tiring and would much prefer more time in fewer areas, plus certainly more time in Paris if this is a first trip. But it's a matter of style, and plenty of people like blitz trips. Do check those driving times, though. You have so little time planned at each destination that if you run into a major traffic delay, it will really affect your sightseeing time.

I would definitely spend the last night in Paris or near the airport. You'll need to be in the check-in line at CDG by 10 AM, won't you?

aemitch,

My general comment is that you are trying to cover too much ground and will be shortchanged by this itnerary. More below.

As for the question about Lyon to deGaulle, you have two options that are better, I think, than driving all the way back to Paris. Return your car when you arrive in Lyon and then either take a very early direct train to the airport, or do the same the night before and stay at the airport.

There is a small risk that an unusual disruption in rail service could make you miss your flight. If this is unacceptable then I would go with the night-before option.

The train runs direct to the airport bypassing Paris. It takes 2 hours or less.

Your itinerary entails too much time in your car and too little time in castles and cafes and museums. I love the Dordogne but it is simply not worth taking such a big bite out of your trip only to spend a single day on the ground.

Your estimate of only 4 hours to drive from Amboise to Sarlat is not very realistic and if your trip planning is based on similar guesses you are going to feel as though you are always behind schedule.

Is there any chance you could take more time? If not I urge you to cut back and spend a little more time at some of the destinations you already will visit.

Here's an alternative if you leave off the Dordogne: Go immediately to Amboise via train and then execute the start of your itinerary counter-clockwise: Amboise-MSM-Bayeux-Paris. Pick up the car in Amboise and return it in either Paris or Bayeux. Paris will let you catch your breath.

Then take the train to Arles and rent a second car, using it to explore and leaving it in Avignon or Lyon. This plan makes good use of France's super fast trains--much faster than your car--which lets you see and do more.

If the Dordogne is a must-see, consider saving something else for another time.

I hope you have a great trip, whatever you decide!

This would be my nightmare trip from hell. It takes two nights to get a full day in a place and most places worth stopping deserve several days. Certainly Paris needs 5 nights minimum. I would cut the stops dramatically and try to anchor in a couple of places for at least 3 nights having overnights just occasionally. spending all the time in the car, on parking, on checking in and out of hotels is really wearing after a bit.

If it were me and I wanted a road trip experience, I would limit myself to three areas and finish with 5 nights in Paris. You could cover Normandy/Brittany and the Loire or Normandy/Brittany and Burgundy and see a lot of wonderful things without spending so much time on the road. I love the Dordogne -- just spent a week there this past fall with friends in a little village and made it a base for day tripping in the region. It is the second time we have done this. But to drive that far for a day or so is just a lot of aggravation and expense for little payoff. I feel the same about Provence. Cut the drive time by doing Northern France or else bag Normandy and spend more time in the south. If you do that, fly into Nice or Avignon and pick up the car there for the trip.

By finishing in Paris you will have dumped the car and not have to worry about that and you won't have that mad rush back to catch your flight. If you are not already frustrated and irritable after dealing with logistics for a couple weeks that final rush to get the plane will do it for you. And you must be in Paris the night before; stuff happens and you dn't want to be buying a one way walk up ticket home.

There is tons to do in Normandy including tour of the landing beaches
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/normandy/
We didn't get to St. Malo and other Brittany sites which we had intended this fall but elbow surgery in Menton slowed me down and we had to cut that part of our trip. We also loved Burgundy and these are just a few highlights
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/burgundy/
-- there are many other great places to visit like Auxerre, Vezelay, Autun, Beaune -- wonderful area.

by arriving mid day and having an evening and a morning in a place before moving on, you can have some wonderful one night stops, but I'd avoid making those big cities like Lyon and would alternate them with longer stays.

Thank you for your very thoughtful response. I've learned that we want to flip our trip and leave Paris for the end! Maybe our first stop will be in the Burgundy area. I'm traveling with teens (fluent in French) so they want to see as much as possible but I think we have been over ambitious!

Perhaps forgo Lyon to free up some time.

June
13. Arrive Paris. To Bayeux
14. Bayeux (pick up car)
15. Mont St Michel
16. Amboise
17. Amboise
18. Sarlat
19. Sarlat
20. Carcassonne
21. Arles/Provence
22. Arles/Provence
23. Arles/Provence (return car)
24. Paris
25. Paris
26. Paris
27. Paris
28. Fly Home

Wow everyone's help is so great! Thanks you.

I have decided to flip the trip and end in Paris.

1. Train to Lyon(rent car)
2. Lyon
3. Arles/Provance
4. Arles/province
5. Carcassonne
6. Sarlat
7. Sarlat
8. Amboise
9. Amboise
10. Amboise
11. SMS
12. Bayeux
13. Paris
14. Paris
15. Paris
16. Fly home

Does this look better?