We are making our first trip to France later this month. Flights, lodging and rental car are booked. I've used ViaMichelin's suggested routes for estimated driving times between overnight stays. Our itinerary takes us to the following destinations in this order (estimated driving times are shown): Nice Arles (2.5 hours from Nice) St. Cyprien (in Dordogne; 6 hours from Arles) Chenonceaux (5 hours from St. Cyprien) Mont St.-Michel (4 hours from Chenonceaux) Bayeau (2 hours from MSM) Versailles (3.5 hours from Bayeau via Giverny; drop car; train to Paris) Paris I understand these estimates of driving times may be low, and to add 20% to be conservative. We enjoy "getting off the beaten path". If you know these routes, can you suggest any sites that might be worthy of a stop along the way, or a change of routes? For example, RS says that, when traveling from Provence to Dordogne, take the Route of the Bastides.
Any suggestions for any of these day trips between overnight stays would be greatly appreciated!!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Well, your driving times look a little off, but assuming you will just roll with that: Depending on your schedule, the city of Fougeres makes a nice lunch break between the Loire region and MSM. Stretch your legs amongst the ruins of the old fortress before or after a Breton lunch of gallettes and cidre.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Driving between Nice and Arles there is a little beach town called Ste. Maxime where you could have a nice lunch and perhaps take a walk on the beach and relax on the Mediterranean for a bit.
Even though I love driving in Europe you definitely have lots of time on the road. You don't say how long you have in each area but I hope you have lots of days to see things from all of your locations and these are not just one or two night stops (except for a few) There are tons of places to visit from Arles, as well as driving around the area of Bayeux and around Normandy.
Posted by
Ventura, CA, USA
96 posts
I absolutely agree with Adam. My French teacher recommended Fougeres to us on a trip about 20 years ago and we loved it! Very small and walkable, beautiful small town. We had lunch with cider there and it was one of our most memorable moments of our trip. Enjoy!
Posted by
OP
Collinsville, Illinois, USA
6 posts
Fougeres has been mentioned as a great stop by several, and we plan to make a short stop. But, I'd also like to get to Mont St.-Michel in time to see the sunset. ViaMichelin says it's a 4 hour drive from Chenonceaux to MSM. Many have said that VM's estimates are often short by 20 percent or more. So much to see and so little time. Thanks for taking the time to offer up this suggestion.
Fred