Two weeks in November - seeking itinerary help

Even if it were summer, I would not attempt this much traveling in under two weeks. In November, it will be dark at 17h00, windy, often rainy, and overall very cold. This is really the time to be in the cities, not exploring the countryside.

Upon CDG arrival (I assume CDG), I would continue to Tours by train and rent a car for a few days visiting châteaux and troglodytes, maybe a few vineyards. I would next drive to Provence, staying in Avignon as a hub. From there you can explore Provence but daylight will be very limited. In summer, you could easily spend a week or more in Provence. In winter, the cold and darkness can really limit the enthusiasm.

Maybe you could include Lyon on your way north but I would end in Paris, spending 4 full days, 5 nights and being in position for you flight home.

Thanks! Makes sense on the weather warning. Even if we'd like to hope for the best. We've been to Paris several times so wanted to get outside. Know the time isn't quite right. That said our flights were free and we wanted to go here versus some sunnier parts of the world. We could always just fly to some other country from France (our flights in/out were free so that was part of our criteria).

We planned to start in Paris to meet a family friend who's only available on that part of the trip although can see about reversing for better weather if they're not able to join after all. That would be a priority for us versus going in the other order even if that makes more weather sense.

How about Nimes as a 2-night base in the south with the museum as a plan for a rainy day?

I'd guess that you'd recommend to cut out the Vaison la Romaine stop as well?

Welcome to the forum!

I know weather can be hard to predict, but I have been to Paris twice in November for a total of 10 days, and it only rained one time - and that was overnight! I love walking in Paris in the cool crisp autumn air.

I like the idea of landing at CDG and then taking a train straight to the Loire Valley (unless this is the only time you can meet up with your friends in Paris). Either Tours or Amboise would be a good home base. I've been to Amboise (loved it) but have yet to go to Tours.

From the Loire, you could either train/car to Lyon. I think I would skip Vaison la Romaine - it's probably lovely, but I would allocate those days somewhere else. In Lyon, you won't need a car so you could drop it off upon arrival (assuming you still have it).

After touring Lyon, you could then take the train to Arles, Nimes or Avignon. I stayed in Arles and loved the medieval lanes and maginficent amphitheatre. Nimes and Avignon are easy day trips from Arles- only a 20 minute train ride.

From Provence, you can take the train back to Paris.

This sounds like a wonderful trip - enjoy!

That's too much moving around for my taste. I stayed in Avignon for a week in the second half of November (including Beaujolais Day--free wine at the corner store!) and did a day trip to Arles. Most on here seem to prefer it the other way around. We had very mixed weather but were "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" in sunshine with just light jackets. In addition to Beaujolais Day, there was a food festival going on. Delicious aligout was eaten. Great market there. Lots to see and do. We stayed outside the walls but still walked everywhere.