itinerary for beginner travelers to France

Lourdes is in the southwest part of France.
Think of France as being at least as big as Texas, a large area. Travel times between regions are significant.
Bordeaux is about wine and food.
Prehistoric France would be the Dordogne, the transportation issue there, how do you get to it, is a key issue.

But Paris is the heart of France. Since you only have 1 week, and travel time will reduce that to about 5 days, your best use of your time will be to spend it in Paris.

I agree with Kent. You need at least two weeks, if not three, to cover everyone"s wish lists. Spend your time in Paris. Then when you have more time you can plan a longer itinerary. You won't regret it.

I agree with the other posts that you do not have enough time to visit all those towns. We did 10 days in France, we spent 4 nights in Paris and took the train to Lourdes, which is about a 6 hour train ride if you go direct. Ugh, that is a whole day consisting of waiting at a station, sitting on a train and checking in and out of hotels. You have only 7 precious days in France.

Anyhow, on our way to Lourdes, Bordeaux was a stop, so there is a direct connection bt both towns, about 2.5 hours apart. After Lourdes, we flew back home out of Toulouse. I am not sure if you have booked flights yet but you should either concentrate on spending a week between Bordeaux and Lourdes (fly into Bordeaux, fly out of Toulouse or vice versa) or just stay in or around Paris as everyone else suggested. Btw, a few of my French teachers (native Parisians) have raved about how lovely Bordeaux is, so it is on my bucket list. Easier to visit a winery from Bordeaux as well but you can do the same from Paris, just less of a selection. Bon voyage!

Just 1 week. Does that include your arrival and departure days? If so, just 5 days, really. Paris plus a day trip.

I am taking into account that the 3 of you are not experienced travelers and will not be a nimble group. (Which is okay!)

If you actually have more time--if you have 7 full unjetlagged days on the ground--then you could add one other destination into the mix. Which doesn't mean you should, but you could.

Lourdes is difficult, caves are more difficult still. Bordeaux, where you fly in to Bordeaux, spend a day or two, and then take the train to Paris, makes the most sense. But does everyone want to go to Bordeaux? Can they pay for the son to come to Paris?

Another option: Everybody starts together in Paris, then splits up: Bordeaux, Dordogne, Lordes. To visit caves, train to Angouleme, rent car to Dordogne or Vezere valley, fly home from Bordeaux or Toulouse.

If you have never been to Paris, I would vote that you spend your whole week there, maybe taking a one day side trip to a close by destination. You are trying to put too much travel time in too short of a time frame. Happy Travels and I will be going to Paris this coming June. aloha charlie

Go to Rome2Rio.com and play around with all the places your group wants to go. You will see that it is not possible to do in the very short time you have in France.

Stick to Paris with a visit from the son, go your separate ways, or expand your trip to 3 weeks if you all want to be together the whole time.

I'd pick the longest time possible to be there, especially considering the cost of airfare. It seems like a real waste of money for such a short trip.

I lost count. Are there 5 of you total?

Hi Marie
I have to agree that is too much to try and see in just a week. It takes time to get from one place to another whether driving or taking the train. I would definitely pare it down or make the trip longer.

If a week is all you can swing then pick either Paris or Bordeaux. With my daughter living there, I know it would be difficult for your one sister to go all the way to France and not see her son. If you can swing 10 full days you could more comforably start in Bordeaux and end in Paris with not much else in between. I guess it depends on the priorities of all the sisters.

You can check train schedules here.
http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/