My next trip, I arrive the morning of May 1st and fly home the afternoon of the 16th. This isn't a normal trip for me. Unless she dumps me first, my girlfriend will meet me at the airport and our itinerary will include visiting her parents in Tours, meeting her son in Marseille and sailing to Corsica for a few days. For the most part, I'll be on her schedule but I'd like to know of any favorite sites along that route that we might be able to include.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Chartres is more or less on the way from Paris to Tours. In addition to the famed cathedral (with audio guides available in multiple languages), there's a charming historic street with nice cafes & creperies and helpful TI office.
If you're in Tours for a couple of days and want to go around the nearby area sightseeing, a few of the Loire chateaux are within an hour's drive. The chateau at Azay-le-Rideau is probably less visited than many and it's very nice. The village also has some fine restaurants.
On the way to Marseilles you'll probably go through Lyon, which could be a pleasant and interesting stop. Further south, Carpentras, Orange, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence.
Many options indeed !
With your end destination as Marseilles, Lyon and then the towns of Provence. Lots of options in Provence ...Arles, Isle sur la sorgue, Aix.
If using Marseilles as a "home base" Cassis, Aix, and Lourmarin are all easy day trips from there.
BT
Be optimistic. May is 4 months away, so the long term planning is a good sign. Of course she won't dump you !!
It's a long distance relationship :)
Chartres sounds good. I wanted to visit in September but it wasn't convenient, by train, from Loire. You had to go into Paris then back out. This time we'll be driving and it is on the way by car.
Azay-le-Rideau is another good choice. I skipped that last fall because it was in scaffolding. Anyone know when they're supposed to be done?
I'm thinking we'll spend most of the time in Provence. Not sure right now exactly where we will be based?
There are many interesting places. Will you be going from Tours or from Paris when you head south? If you go from Tours, you could stop in Bourges, then possibly head towards to Auvergne -- if you like Romanesque churches, try Orcival or St. Nectaire. We loved Salers a little further south -- and loved hiking by Puy Mary. Then you could head to Le Puy and from there to the Rhone valley and further south. You will not see many American tourists in Auvergne.
Provence - the perfect place for promoting your prospects with the promise of passion.
Pont du Gard is an incredible structure and is near Provence. If you like Roman structures in out of the way places, visit the 2000 year old Pont Julian (near Apt) in Provence.
I'm expecting the first stop will be in Tours then heading to Provence from there.
Yes, I like Roman ruins; I'm big on history. I prefer 15th century or earlier.
