Confused on planning a 3 week trip to Italy and France......or just France

My wife and I just returned from a month in France-previously we've spent a month in Italy. I'd vote for one country or the other-and I'm not a fan of 1 night stops anywhere. If able, rent car in Provence and spend 7-10 in the Luberon and Cotes du Rhone areas, then up to Beaune (Burgundy) for a few, and finish in Paris. If you'd like more details, send p.m. Mike

I love both countries, so it is hard to choose. Has your friend been to either? If you want both countries (and lots of times I do) You could fly into Paris, spend a few days there, possibly visit Normandy, take a train to Avignon, rent a car and visit Provence, the Sea, and all the wonderful little villages and markets of southern France. You could end you France adventure in Nice, drop your car and take a train to CT (your Italy adventure begins) spend a few days, take a train to Venice, spend a few days and fly home from Venice.

Thank you for your reply. I love your proposed plan- I was re thinking ( listening to a few experience travelers helps) that staying in France may be the preferrerd option . We have both been several times to Italy -and now I would love to really enjoy the French Wine Regions. I was either thinking of flying into Nice and taking the trains through Avignon, Provence , Rhone, maybe Champagne and end up in Paris ( stay a min of 1 week ). Would we be able to take the trains from Provence or is renting a car the best bet? And why? I just purchase Rick Steeves Provence and the French Riviera Book and a map of France to assist in our further plannin g. any other good recommendations??? Thanks so much !
Laura

Laura I like your idea as it is evolving. However, I agree that to really get around a French wine region, or Provence, you'll need to get a car. You can get to Champagne country (Reims) easily from Paris by train, or to one of the "jumping-off" cities like Beaune, but to really explore, a car is the only way. Taking the TGV to Avignon and then renting a car there to see the hill villages inProvence is a tried-and-true fabulous vacation. The possibilities are endless!

Laura, if you are going to spend 3 weeks in France, I prefer your idea of flying into Nice. You can explore to the east using buses and trains (the area between Nice and Monte Carlo). To the west can be explored using public transport also, but not so well. Having done that, if I did it again, I would rent a car in Nice and explore the area to the west by car. You could go as far as St. Tropez and return to Nice, or you could do Vence and St. Paul de Vence while staying in Nice and then head for Provence. I would advise this and then drive along the coast, through Cannes, St. Tropez, and Cassis, then north to Provence. You will definitely need a car to explore Provence, including the Cotes du Rhone area, Luberon Hills, and Nimes/Pont du Gard/Avignon. Return the car and train to Paris. You could easily do the Cote d/Azur area in 3 days, Provence in 4 to 5, and leave time to hit Carcassonne and the Dordogne areas. Carcassonne is good for an afternoon and evening, then a couple of days in Dordogne and on to Paris.

What great ideas and input!This is excellent! Wwe are planning on spending roughly $100.00 per person for accommodations and we were hoping to spend $100.00 each for meals , we are packing super light with a backpack only each as our plan is to shop eventually in Paris and bring back a suitcase full of Parisian goodies! Does that make sense??? Are all areas of Provence, Bordeaux, Dordogne, Burgundy, Chateaux, Champagne, to Normandy available to get to using buses ? My best friend is a bit paranoid about us driving in a foreign country and will be a nervous wreck if I force her to go with me driving a rental car! Is that doable??
IF so they are- can you all please advise as to what cities and wine regions to visit and in what order? Thank you all so much for your valuable assistance! Laura

If some cities are not accessible using public buses then I may have to give my friend Jacke a tranquilizer and drive us at certain points on our trip. Where's here are SO many details to think about when going so far away. Your information is so valuable and much appreciated !

Many people look at driving in LA as a foreign country...and approach it with terror. Seriously, it is really easy to drive in France and I think you will regret missing all the little roadside villages and picnic areas as you whiz by them on a bus. There is so much freedom and Provence is one of the best places to see by car. You can change your plans by the minute and not have to worry about a bus schedule, plus I cannot imagine you could see nearly as much. Once you start driving your friend will wonder why she was afraid. If you are starting in Nice, and not going to Venice or CT, I would see Nice first and rent a car after you are done with Nice. You can probably return the car in Avignon and take the fast train to Paris, or you could simply make a road trip of it and drive from Provence to Normandy then return the car at CDG and head into Paris for the end of the trip.

I see your points and agree with all of you about the car being a must . My friend is on a tighter budget than myself and mentioned the cost- so I may pick up the car rental alone. I really like David's lay out of how to explore the ateas around Nice using some bus but definitely vIa car in Provence and some of the other wine regions. I will put together a rough idea itinerary and then post for you all to review in case I am on the wrong track . Thank you all so much,
Laura