Hi there,
Would love some opinions on how best to spend a week between these two spots. Provence? DDay beaches? Burgundy? Loire Valley?
We are a family of four (12 and 10 year old boys) and are in search of history/castles/ruins (but not big on museums), culture and walk-able small towns.
Trip is last two weeks in August.
Thanks!
Bill
I think your boys are old enough to appreciate the DDay beaches, but TAKE A GUIDED TOUR. Yes, worth the money! Possibly the best historical lesson they'll ever have. If you stay in Bayeux you can also see the Bayeux Tapestry and the War Museum there.
If you drive thru yourself, it is just a bunch of beaches they will soon forget.
I used Alan Bryson of FirstNormandyBattlefield Tours who will drive you in his minivan. The way he talks, you'd think he was one of the soldiers there. Very moving and informative. There are other great tours too; see TripAdvisor.
If you do go, they should first view "Saving Private Ryan", parental preview with edits at your discretion.
Less gory, but still quite accurate is the old movie "The Longest Day".
Normandy is going the other way from Chamonix, but worth it. On the way to Chamonix, however, is Geneva, which has bikes to rent for free (Geneveroule.ch), Calvin's church where they can climb the bell tower, a little zoo in Jardin Boutanique, and if the lake water jet is in operation, they can walk out to within 10 feet of it.
Personally, I think your kids may be a bit young to appreciate the D-Day sites, but you know their interests better than anyone else. .
Reflecting on trips we made when our sons were that age, I would vote for Burgundy (Bourgogne). Some places you may want to consider would be:
Provins, east-southeast of Paris -- an impressive walled town with a lot of medieval-themed entertainment geared toward your kids' age. You could pair that up with a visit to Fontainbleau or Vaux-le-Vicomte, or both. The first is a predecessor to Versailles and the second a private château that served as a stand-in for Versailles for the film The Man in the Iron Mask.
Semur-en-Auxois -- another medieval town with impressive towers and ramparts you can walk. Not a destination, in my opinion, but a good place to stop for an hour or a few hours.
Château de Guedelon -- a new castle in the process of being built using only materials and building techniques available to medieval builders. I suspect children your kids' age would be very interested in learning more about how these huge structures were built.
Château de la Rochepot -- a privately-owned castle that seemed to appeal to the families with kids that were there when we visited
The Hospices of Beaune -- a hospital for the dying that is pretty impressive on its own, plus the display of medical equipment from the era (which look like stuff you would buy at a hardware store) might make them appreciate modern medicine a bit more. While in Beaune, you could arrange a bike trip to local vineyards through Bourgogne Evasions. They have adult and kid-sized bikes and leave from a park just west of central Beaune (Parc de la Bouzaise). It's an easy ride with beautiful scenery.
If you're interested in seeing Roman ruins, some places you can stop along the way to Chamonix would be Autun, Lyon, and/or Vienne.
Pérouges is a medieval town that kids probably would enjoy
It might be a little out of your way, but if you have a chance, take road D531 along the Bourne river through the Gorges de La Bourne. The cliffs, rock overhangs, and the twists and turns are awesome and is something your kids likely will long remember. Google Gorges de la Bourne and look for pictures and videos to get a sense of it.
And of course, Chamonix is a great base for sightseeing and hiking. I assume you know all about that, as you've made it your destination.
Normandy to Chamonix would be a real bear.
Provence is a possibility, though still logistically awkward.
Loire chateux a big snooze even for many grownups.
I would suggest any two of Alsace, Burgundy, and Lyon.
It's a big city, but I'll bet your boys would absolutely love Lyon.
If they are into medieval, spend a night in Vezeley. For cryptohistory, Romans vs. Gauls, Alesia. (Both in Burgundy).
Loire Valley.
How ‘bout the caves near Sarlat, then on to Carcassonne, then to Chamonix. But you know your kinds best,
I suggest looking at the Itinerary of Rick's tour the best of Eastern France for some ideas. The tour starts in Reims (not far from Paris via TGV), visits Verdun, goes to Colmar, Beaune, then to Chamonix.
Have a great trip!
I think Adam's suggestion is best - though I haven't been to Lyon, Burgundy and Alsace have lots to interest everyone and they are a pretty good route to Chamonix.
