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Itinerary Advice - Mom Trip

Posted by on

Due to my dad's health, my mom (70yo) has not had the opportunity to travel internationally. We've since determined I will take her somewhere every 2 years (Italy 2019). This September we are headed to France. I've spoken personally to friends about my itinerary and wanted to confirm with more seasoned France travelers what we have lined up.

  1. Sept 16 arrive in CDG > Take train directly from CDG to Lyon
  2. LYON: 4 Nights Lyon > Train to Dijon Sept 20
  3. DIJON: 3 Nights Dijon > Train to Paris Sept 23
  4. PARIS: 5 Nights Paris > Fly home Sept 28

Upon arrival to France, we want to take a fairly direct train somewhere, leaving all of Paris at the end. Some folks I've spoke to suggest I should drop Lyon and head somewhere else for those 4 nights (Avignon, Loire Valley, Normandy, Strasbourg all have been suggested). I'm now questioninting my itinerary. Keep Lyon or swap it out? Things of note: we will not have a car, my mom loves to wander cities/towns, see art, architecture, experience the culture. She lives on a beach, so not as interested in beach vacation.

Thank you!

Posted by
363 posts

I would cut Lyon and add the Loire Valley, you can catch a train at CDG. I can't speak to Dijon as I have never been there. I like the Loire Valley better than Lyon as it feels like country travel rather than city travel. Lovely bike paths, fields of flowers, and of course tons of architecture. I've been to the Loire Valley 3 times and would go back, I have only been to Lyon once with no plans of returning. Both are pretty. J

Posted by
16 posts

Hi, Joanne! Thank you for your reply. Would you still consider Loire Valley if you could not bike? My mom never learned to ride a bike, so we would be reliant on bus/trains. I've been to Loire Valley (25 years ago!), but my mom has never traveled to France.

Posted by
16 posts

Roubrat, Strasbourg was mentioned and does look very interesting. It's on the short list to replace Lyon with, should we swap Lyon out. We could also do a day trip to Strasbourg from Dijon I suppose.

Posted by
2267 posts

I love Lyon, and it’s a city made for wondering. 4 night could maybe be 3, but I’d keep it.

It’s also an easy leg to add after the transatlantic flight.

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