My spouse and I, both retired would like to explore an extended stay in France next March/April. We love Paris, but are more interested in a spot to truly soak up French culture and their way of life. We are in our mid 70s, but able bodied. Inrterested in hearing different aspects and points of view from this community of fellow travelers. TIA, merci.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1723 posts
A few questions for you. What are your interests? Are you wanting to rent a house or apartment in one city/town/village (which?) and stay put for 2 months, maybe with some day trips (or side trips to other parts of the country/continent? Or will you try a couple of different places? Do you intend to rent/lease a car? Bikes? Do you prefer coast, interior, mountains, warm/cold/hot weather? France is a big country with vastly different regions offering a wide variety of all of the above. So help us narrow it down for you.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2622 posts
March is pretty cold; expect snow, hail, rain, and temps below 50 for the highs. Freezing at night. If that's not your thing you need to be along the Med. I usually just confine myself to Paris and the big cities until April. (I was in Paris for 4 days last week.) In April/May things start to green up and the temps warm up also. Plus it's light outside until 8pm+. That's when you want to drive the wine roads, visit the Loire, or Dordogne, and maybe even spend some time in Brittany.
My friends and I have had very good luck with FeWo over Airbnb. https://www.fewo-direkt.de/d
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3074 posts
bcbogart,
France is so large and has such varied topography and climates and cultures that I would pick four areas and spend two weeks in each one. I would have a car for excursions in each region. I suggest gites-de-france for finding lodgings with kitchens. It is older than AirBandB and IMO much better run, more reliable, and we have never been unhappy with our stays through them, from 3 days to 10 days.
My favorite regions are Provence (ALL of Provence), the Dordogne/Vizere valleys (with Albi, Toulouse and Carcassonne added on, though in different but nearby departments), Brittany and, of course, Paris (a world unto itself). (I would add Normandy, but not just the DDay areas...the route along the Seine river is beautiful....Rouen, Villequier, the Route des Abbayes) Maybe this as a three day journey to Brittany.
March and April...begin further south because of weather and work your way to Brittany. Its Atlantic weather is part of its magnificence, IMO. To me, Brittany is a different world from the rest of France...otherworldly, somewhat mystical and closer to nature and the earth, if that makes sense. But I digress.....do consider splitting your two months into different areas to get to know France. Lucky you! Have a wonderful time!
Posted by
OP
Arlington, TX
22 posts
We love the two weeks, move, two weeks idea. Tiime to see more of the country. And the idea of starting along the Med and working our way north as the weather warms makes sense. We've done the Normandy WWII things, but not the wine regions of Bordeaux, etc. We think renting a car is best for us and allows us freedom of movement. Of course, we'll wind up in Paris because, well we just will. Thanks so far for the ideas. BB