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Best First Day in France, Getting Over Jet Lag

Posted by (Sumner, WA, USA) on

On our last trip to Europe, we were pretty wiped out our first day in Germany, having flown Seattle to Detroit to Frankfurt. We were lucky because we had friends in Germany who picked us up at the airport, and we spent a low key first day with them.

We are planning a trip to France for next year, and will arrive the last week in June. We will end that trip with 5 or 6 days in Paris, but haven’t planned the rest of the trip yet. I’m thinking about splitting 10 days between the Loire and the Dordogne.

My question is: where would be the best place to spend the first day, getting over jet lag? I don’t relish the idea of grabbing a rental car and driving in jet lagged condition. Is there any place relatively near an airport where we can kind of rest and gear up for the rest of the trip?

Posted by
4132 posts

Given your itinerary, I would not stop near deGaulle, but would continue on to Amboise (in the Loire) and spend the night there.

There are several direct TGV trains from the airport to Amboise TGV station with easy transfers to local lines if needed. Take a cab to your hotel or chamber d'hote.

You are in motion anyway. Amboise is a charming town to de-jetlag.

Posted by
283 posts

I like Adam's reply. I generally plan a first day that is quick and easy. In Paris, we ride the red bus and sight see or walk the Tuileries. For out of town, we will take a train from CDG to the site and stay in a hotel one night before venturing to our destination.

The Loire is a quick TGV trip for CDG, and car rental is available at the train station--a lot easier that renting at CDG and driving around Paris. You could take the train, and then make your way to your destination--stop at a store and get some good bread, cheese, maybe some wine and make it an early and easy first day.

Posted by
4132 posts

Ricka's question was about where to stay. Betts's answer was about how to manage jet lag.

With respect to the latter: this is a very personal thing. However, if the afternoon nap can be avoided in favor of fresh air and sunshine, then the effects of jet-lag will be less.

As a former napper, that has been my experience. On my last trip I was able to enjoy a full day of sightseeing on day one.

So I encourage Ricka to explore strategies for managing jet lag other than giving in to the need to sleep. Search this forum for the perennial jet-lag- discussions.

Posted by
1035 posts

Whatever you do, keep moving. I agree with Adam, the more daylight and fresh air the better.

Even if you do not plan your day's extensively, this is one day you should plan to the hour. Reduce the thinking you will need to do and focus on the doing If you find something else to do and roll with it, then throw the plan out.

You would think I would have learned (I have since), but on two occasions I have done hop on hop off buses. Both times they turned into snooze cruises for me.

Posted by
55 posts

Thank you all for your suggestions. Going directly to the Loire by train makes a lot of sense, and will make it easy to wait a day to pick up the car.

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