My fiancé and I would love suggestions for hotels, restaurants, wineries, and other sites/adventures around France in late August! We are planning to fly into Nice and spend a few days unwinding there before traveling (recommendations desired!). The only other definite destination we have is Paris, but we'd both like to spend some time in Champagne as well. We don't get the chance to travel abroad much at all, so would love to pack as much into the trip while still having it feel somewhat relaxing.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7573 posts
If you are flying home from Paris you will want to end your trip there- 4 or 5 nights at least.
If you spend 3 nights in Nice that leaves you with 6 nights? to spend elsewhere
Start with a good guide book or start here to narrow down what you want to see/do.
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france
It helps if you tell us how many nights you have in France, what your interests are, willing to rent a car or will you rely on public transportation, where your departure flight is, etc.
Posted by
233 posts
I agree with Christine that we could help you if you tell us what interests you most. Otherwise it is a pig in a poke. Peter
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1575 posts
How are you planning to travel from Nice to Paris? You can do the train, or you can drive which allows you to visit Vineyards on your way. Some Vineyards have accommodations. You probably don't need a car in Nice, you can take commuter trains to several destinations. Do not miss Nice Old Town and the Chagall Museum. My route north from Nice would be Aix-en-Provence, then the Route des Cotes du Rhone which is a famous wine district, then to Lyon, then to Dijon, then to Nancy or Champagne, then to Paris.
Versailles is a must see and Chartres is one of my favorites. You don't need a car in Paris. Make a reservation to see interior of Notre Dame. Bon Voyage!
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1231 posts
Google "les grandes vacances." Nice in particular may be less than desirable in August. Can you defer your trip to September when things are a bit more back to normal?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much for all the recommendations thus far! It’s helpful in distilling things down a bit before checking out the guidebook (and yes we are aware things will be a bit slower, and possibly trickier, at the end of August)! We are open to all forms of transportation and are flying out from Paris. We have 13 nights total in France. Thank you, again!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1686 posts
toridaniels33,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You couldn't have picked a better place for your honeymoon. As has been said, leave your Paris days to the end, as it will be better for getting to the airport for your return home. You don't want to risk missing your flight due to a train or rental car problem. Go straight to Nice. Maybe fly directly there (in summer there are often nonstop flights from some airports in the US), or on one ticket, do a plane change at CDG, so you spend your first night in France in Nice. Nice is perfect for public transportation to the other Riviera towns. Say, nights 1-4 there, which gives you three full days. Leave on the 5th day for
Provence (maybe Arles? Avignon?) Give it a half-day to get to the station, travel, pick up a rental car,get to lodgings there, etc. (Figure
3 hours by train.) Having a car here makes it easy to visit all the charming locations nearby and in the Luberon. Spend nights 5-7 here (2 1/2 days). Day 8 return the car and take the TGV to Paris for nights 8-13 (5 1/2 days). Reims, in Champagne country is an easy day trip from Paris. You can take a train there early, visit the beautiful cathedral, and take a guided tour (with transportation) to some champagne vineyards, taking the train back to Paris. Day 14, fly home. Being in Paris the night before works out well for your flight.
One alternative to consider...just do Nice and Paris. An extra night in Nice, and 8 nights in Paris. It is the most romantic city in the world, IMO. (Venice is a close second.) You will forge so many wonderful memories in Paris, and you could fit in a day trip to either Versailles, Giverny, Vaux-la-Vicomte, or another of the many options available, as well as Reims.
Do check out some travel books from the library to peruse and find inspiration. Best of luck!