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Paris to Uzes to Paris.... with Normandy or Loire or ?? in between

Posted by (Cleveland) on

Hi all. We are a 60ish couple planning a 2 week trip to France next May. We are flying to and from Paris. We'll take the train to Nimes upon arrival. Then we will rent a car and spend 7 nights with Uzes as a base. We have family who are moving there. The trip will end with 3 nights in Paris. My dilemma is what to do with the 3 days in between. I originally wanted to go to Normandy and see the coast and the WWII sites, but it seems out of the way. My other plan is 3 nights in Loire with Amboise as a base. We like history and nature and walking. NO interest in shopping. Not big restaurant foodies; we tend to buy grocery items. I think doing both will be too much rushing around. I know much of this is a matter of personal preference. I feel like i'm thinking out loud, but any thoughts?

We plan on returning the car in Tours or Caen. Then taking the train to Paris.

Thank you for any wise advice you can give.

Posted by
27062 posts

I agree that Normandy is out of the way. There's a lot to do up there, and you won't have time for most of it if you try to squeeze it into 3 days between Uzes and Paris. I, personally, dislike palaces, but I assume you do not, so the Loire sounds like a good plan for you. There are other possibilities, like Lyon, but if you want to see the chateaux, this seems like a good time to do it.

Posted by
4132 posts

It's a long haul either way.

By rail:

Avignon to Bayeux is about 6 hours, though there are some trips that are a little shorter than that. (Caen is closer.)

Avignon to Amboise is about the same, though there is one trip that is only 5 hours 20 minutes.

I would not use that slight difference to choose your itinerary, but rather follow your interests. Which sound like Normandy.

If you want to maximize your time there, you can consider booking a half-day or full-day tour of the landing sites. But whether or no, you can have a very rich time there even if only for a few days.

Posted by
3122 posts

Personally I'd choose the Loire valley, hands down. In May the gardens will be gorgeous and the days are long enough to enjoy the outdoors into the evenings. Amboise is a popular base -- too touristy for my taste. We based in Azay-le-Rideau (Hotel Biencourt, recommended in the RS guide) and absolutely loved it. Being there allowed us to visit the Fortress of Chinon among other places not easily reachable as day trips from Paris. You can return your car in Tours and train to Paris, or drive to Orly and turn the car in there.

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