I want to start in Paris, then take 3-4 days to drive to Provence, then stay in provence. This would be a leisurely drive, not hurried. So here are my questions:
- What would the best 3-4 cities to stop in and spend the night?
- What should I see in those cities?
- Where should I stay? Looking for cool, out of the way places, not big American hotels.
Any ideas?
If you’re looking for leisurely, I’d just stay 2 places 1-2 nights each as it is not a far drive from Paris. No reason to unpack 3-4x driving that distance. If you want more helpful answers, who is going? What are your interests? What kinds of activities do you enjoy?
Jeff, since this is a public forum, you should delete your email address. Forum members can pm you thru the forum but most of the answers will be on this thread.
I’ll let others answer your questions. My only experience traveling thru France is on RS South of France tour.
I think the first answer was right. Perhaps I could spend a day or so between stops. How about
Paris to Dijon 163 MI
Dijon to Geneva 170 miles
Geneva to Avignon or Mimes or Montpellier 210 miles
Montpellier to Provence 40 miles
Provence to Marseille 32 miles
I'm into museums, historic sites, wineries, etc. but not necessarily "touristy" stuff. How about Fontaineblu, Fontenay Abbey, Château de Châteauneuf, The Owl of Dijon, Museum of Fine Arts Dijon, Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune, Abbaye de Cluny, Royal Monastery of Brou, La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Musée des Confluences, Couriot - Musée de la Mine, Palais Idéal, Château de Grignan, Carrières de Lumières, Château des Baux-de-Provence...and I haven't even started on Geneva!
Hi Jeff,
The Dijon owl is simply a well-worn marker to denote a walking tour of old Dijon. Folks have their fotos taken with it. I'll bet that you'd find it more worthwhile to do a combo of sorts down in Beaune. That Historic Hotel Dieu hospice is located right next to the weekly farmers market, so a 2-fer is very doable there. To add a bonus: 'Bistro Bourguignon' is one of the best places on the planet to sample legendary Burgundian wines by the glass. Note that the bistro has finally been sold this past month. Fingers crossed that the new owners will maintain standards. Je repete: Meursault, Chambertin, Pommard and Puligny-Montrachet by the glass!
Two places that come to mind for those traveling by car: Semur-en-Auxois and Volnay.
Hope all goes well. Bon chance!
I am done. the empty glasses
Focus on these sights only and when you reach Provence sleep in Nimes:
Château de Fontainebleau
Fontenay Abbey
Châteauneuf Castle
Hôtel-Dieu Museum
Abbaye de Cluny
La Basilque Notre Dame de Fourvière
Musée des Confluences
just to throw a monkey wrench in - the French high speed trains (TGV) can do that long journey city centre to near city centre (Avignon) in 2 hours and 44 or 43 minutes. Much cheaper and faster - you'll spend the train fare (bought ahead) just in autoroute tolls.
You need to take into account the slow drive (from the highway) and parking annoyances in each big city you have selected. Not to mention the need for a Swiss highway-use vignette on your windshield, and rental company permission to enter other countries. With hotel check in and out, you are going to find this something other than a comprehensive visit to France and Switzerland. Sorry to bear bad tidings.
We spent three nights in Strasbourg (TGV from CDG) and three nights in Ribeauville with a car, on the way to Avignon. No time for the scenic gorges along the way. We spent three nights in Besançon (local sightseeing, like La Source de la Loue), and then drove to visit my cousin in Geneva. That last was a long, unscenic tunnel trip.
