Just wanted to check to see if we should drop a leg of our trip or expand time in an area. We're excited to see old castles, eat great food, view art and teach our two kids about France. This will be their first time abroad. Kids are 12 &9.
Fly into Paris - 4 days total
Fly to Nice - 3 or 4 days total
Fly back to Paris and take train to Bordeaux - 3 days total
Train back to Paris for last 3 days
..and teach our two kids about France.
My initial reaction is that I wouldn't want them to spend too much time learning how to navigate French airports. I wonder if an open jaw approach would make better use of your time - start your visit in Nice, travel to Bordeaux via train, car, or a combination of both, and then end in Paris. Or else Paris, Bordeaux, and then Nice.
Travel options require more time between Nice and Bordeaux, so breaking up that leg of the trip with an overnight somewhere if by train, or else spending a few days in a car enjoying the French countryside seem more appealing than a flyover at 35,000 feet.
I assume you have reasons for choosing those three particular cities. You have two weeks, which is the basis for a wonderful trip.
Living in an airport is definitely a turn off. Nice sounds beautiful and I was curious about the Chagall museum. Bordeaux is my husband’s choice. He was drawn to the palaces, wine and food. However, we’re open to other options. We could skip Nice and just go to Bordeaux and surrounding areas. Or we could go from Paris to Lyon to Nice via train. I heard Lyon has wonderful food.
The train from Paris to Nice is about 5 hours. So I figured flying would be faster if we also went to Bordeaux. Your point is valid though.
What palaces? The city has the same architecture as Paris. I wouldn’t drop Nice for Bordeaux. If the objective is wine tasting and purchases, there’s not much for the children to do.
Nice and the rest of the coast has many places to visit that are good for the whole family.
What time of year are you planning this trip? It looks like a winter itinerary, and not necessarily one children might enjoy.
If I had 2½ weeks in France, I would start in the south, either Nice or Marseille, maybe find a beach location, or a gîte to use as a base to explore western Provence (renting a car). That could take a week or more. Move north, either by car or train to perhaps the Loire Valley, then the final week in Paris.
Two airports; one for arrival (MRS or NCE), and one for departure, CDG.
Dolores, I am wondering if the palaces your husband is referring to in Bordeaux are the castles of the Dordogne? Or maybe some of the chateaux associated with wineries? Does he have something specific in mind?
Tocard's comments are spot on regarding flights (open jaw would be better...that is not two one-way trips), and Nice-Bordeaux-Paris is a good, logical route. Book your flight to Nice (plane change in Paris...very doable). I also would rather have one long train day from Nice to Bordeaux than your first choice. Or even a flight from Nice to Bordeaux. There is a TGV from Bordeaux to Paris that takes less than three hours, so definitely choose that for your return to Paris. We have taken that and it is easy and fast.
So, here's what I see
Day 1 arrive Nice, stay 4 nights (3 full days- days 2, 3, 4)
Day 5 train or fly to Bordeaux, stay 4 nights (3 full days- days 6, 7, 8) (travel takes up lots of day 5, depending on your mode of travel to Bordeaux)
Day 9 TGV to Paris, stay 5-6 nights (4-5 full days-days 10, 11, 12, 13 and half-day on day 9). (TGV travel gives you an extra half-day in Paris)
I assume you have 14 days. If departure is on day 14, then 5 nights Paris. Day 1 is kind of taken up with arrival, jet lag, etc. Day 14 is shot for sightseeing as you will be heading out to CDG and flight home. You have 10-11 full days of sightseeing/activities.
All very doable and not rushed, with just one long travel day.
BTW we took our two when they were 10 and 8 and they enjoyed everything! We didn't have to focus on kid-type things either. You will be surprised at what they will appreciate and enjoy!
Enjoy yourselves!
P.S.
In Bordeaux see the Bassin des Lumieres!
