Hi All,
I'm asking for my adult daughter who is planning a trip to France with her boyfriend for ~12 days in September. They would like ~4 days in Paris, a visit to D-Day sites and the rest of the time in "wine country" (I don't know that they have a specific wine preference). I think it is more about seeing beautiful countryside, and finding cool places to stay (castle? chateau?). I think they are happy to rent a car and drive when that is advisable.
Could I please get your advice about which region(s) to look at and any specific wineries to visit and places to stay that I can pass along?
Many thanks!
Dawn
Posted by
France Southwest
2326 posts
For the "wine" part look at this map:
https://vineyards.com/wine-map/france
What is good in September is that they will not only be able to see the vineyards but also probably see the harvest (except in Provence where the harvest is generally done at the end of August)
The winegrowers are still looking for labor for the harvest but I guess your daughter and her boyfriend will have other things to do.. :))
Posted by
Reno, Nevada
1025 posts
We all love to help our children with their travels, and I am sure that as a loving parent, you are no exception. The problem is that as well as you know your daughter, you cannot know with any degree of certainty how to plan a trip for her as you describe.
What is their budget?
What type of accommodation to they want?
What kind of foods are they likely to enjoy?
Are there any museums, sights, events that they would enjoy?
What DDay sights will they enjoy? Cemeteries? Beaches? Museums? What about the Bayeaux Tapestry?
Since France is, itself, almost entirely "wine country," why areas of wine production would they enjoy? --------------------Bordeaux? Beaune? Brittany? The Rhone? Dordogne? Provence? The list is endless.....
What accommodations in wine country would they prefer? Hotel? B&B? Gite? Apartment? AirB&B?
Do they know how to drive a standard transmission vehicle or will they need an automatic?
When will it be advisable for them to drive a car versus taking a train or bus?
I can think of a thousand variables that will need to be vetted by your daughter and her boyfriend before the trip is theirs, versus yours. Please sit down with them to get some input and, if you can, have them do most of the planning, The trip and your mother/daughter relationship will both improve in quality and richness. Bon Voyage!
Posted by
OP
53 posts
Lol! OP here. I am in no way planning this trip for my daughter! I am on the forum a lot these days over on the England side because I AM planning a trip for my husband and me. I offered to post my daughter’s question because the England folks have been such a help to me and she isn’t on the forum (she is researching elsewhere). I very much appreciate the winery guide someone posted and I’ve passed that along to my daughter. If anyone has any other suggestions those will also be gratefully received and forwarded. I am super happy to have raised kids that fend for themselves!
Posted by
1055 posts
"I'm ASKING for my adult DAUGHTER WHO IS PLANNING a trip to France with her boyfriend for ~12 days in September" (emphasis mine). Ahh, the power in critically reading the opening sentence. . .
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10623 posts
Here's a jumping-off point: they should start with a guidebook, probably Normandy and the Loire Valley, known for its whites. If they prefer red wine, Burgundy wouldn't be too far for their time frame. Note that the Loire has reds and Burgundy has whites, too. After they get their research started, I'm sure their questions will be more focused.
My sons and their families came to visit us in France recently. They looked at the suggestions I emailed, but they really created their own trips. In fact, thanks to them, we broadened our horizons locally and learned a lot about what's available in our town.