I'm interested in hearing of people's favorite small towns. We'll be driving through the heart of France from the Dijon area and over to the west coast. We probably won't spend much time in the Loire area (have already stayed in Amboise).
Have been to Dinan and would like to get deeper into Brittany as well. Too little time . . .
Thanks for any help.
So many places.
Dinan is a good recommendation. We also like Josselin In Britainy. Great chateau there and a terrific B&B as well. We just came back from a driving trip in Britainy and decided to stay in Quimper and Vannes for convenience and bases, as well as Josselin.
One town well off the tourist circuit that I wish I had more thoroughly explored- Besancon. I picked it off a map soley based on needing a place to stop for lunch. Gorgeous small city, watched over by a citadel atop a hill.
Whee.. I don't know where to start. We have been all over France and try to go to small wonderful villages.If you are going to be in Dijon, you must see some of Burgundy before you head west. We drive down from Paris and right off the A6 there are so many great places to visit that are only about an hour from Dijon... here we go... Montreal, Flavigny, Semur en Auxois, Chablis, Chateauneuf en Auxois ( this is my favorite village in the whole of France) There are many Chateauneuf's in France , but this one has en Auxois after it. This village overlooks the Burgundy canal which is lovely and has picnic tables for a lovely picnic or wine and cheese stop.We stay in little Montreal . If you want a spectacular place to stay there send me a PM. Another place on the way west is St. Julien de Civry which is in the Charolais- Brionnais ( these are cows) region of western Burgundy. There is a wonderful chateau there which is being renovated by 4 people. It is incredible. Again , send me a PM for these accommodations if you are interested.
Lavardin near Chartres is like a time warp. It's a very small village. The old laundry sheds are still there along the river. We also liked Pont Aven near Quimper. Look for the books The Most Beautiful Small Villages of Brittany and The MOst Beautiful Small Villages of Normandy. There are probably others in the series. The pictures give you an idea of what the villages would look like---of course you can also use Google Images.
Conques
In Brittany -- Concarneau and Pont Aven. Concarneau is a lovely seaside village. The Impressionists loved Pont Aven and so did we. That river flowing through the village makes a really lovely setting.
In Besançon, in addition to the Citadel, I love the park in the middle of the town where the street level is above the park on one side and you can see the tree roots holding up the wall on that side. For WWII buffs, there was a military hospital here. My brother-in-law's father was gassed in Italy and spent time in Besançon recuperating. My b-i-l has a photo of his father standing before a tree in the park. The tree is still there and of course my b-i-l has had his and his son's photos taken in the same spot.
I second Tom's vote for Besançon.
Not to sound like a broken record, but Besancon really is beautiful! It was the first town that came to mind in the region you're visiting, Lauren.
In Brittany, don't miss Fougeres. It is charming and has one of the most magnificent medieval fortified castles I have ever seen. We just got back last night, in fact. I can also recommend a stay at the Chateau La Foltiere inside the Parc Floral (spectacular gardens)in Le Chatellier, also in Brittany, and a good base for exploring Dinan, Vitre, etc.
My guests in Dijon went to Besançon yesterday and really enjoyed their visit. Only one hour by train! We went there last year and loved the Citadelle which overlooks the town.
If you have a car I second Jane's suggestions and also add la Rochepot and its lovely tiled roof castle.
Welcome to Burgundy! (Don't forget to follow the owl's trail in Dijon :-) )
One of my favorite experiences in France was staying on a barge on the Burgundy Canal in Vandenesse-en-Auxois, just below Chateauneuf-en-Auxois.
I agree with Jane, Chateauneuf en Auxois is my absolute favorite small village in France. I couldn't believe how charming it is, every inch of it, and it was raining when we were there. I felt like I was in a children's fairybook village. I would love to go back there again someday...
Thanks so much for all these fabulous suggestions -- and keep them coming to anyone who has yet to post!
This is exactly what I was looking for.
Lauren,
Your post prompted me to reread my journal from a bike trip in Burgundy and that led me to my junk closet for my photo album. Noyers is a very photogenic medieval town in Burgundy with crooked half-timbered houses and narrow lanes.
Lauren, in Brittany, we like La Gacilly, it has a lot of nice restaurants and some nice shops, it is around 1:30hour drive from Carnac. Carnac was also nice but more touristy.
Noyers is a tiny gem, a real back door. Please don't spread the word!
