Finding the "French Countryside"

Your post makes me think of Burgundy and in Provence, but to really see the countryside you need your own wheels. So you could take the train to Beaune and rent a car, stay a few days and drive it to Provence (or return it in beaune or Lyon and take the train), stay a few days and drive it to Nice (or return it in Avignon and take the train). These are both great destinations, though by no means the only great destinations, in France. Every region has its own distinct character, so you and your bride might enjoy exploring both! Congratulations, and have a great trip.

I agree that to explore the romance of the French countryside a car would be an advantage. You could take the fast train from Paris to Avignon and get a car there, then travel the area near St. Remy, Arles, Le Baux, Sur de la Suor (sp). Abbey de Senageau...the list goes on and on, but the drive around the countryside with the beautiful trees overhanging the road is my idea of the perfect French countryside. You could then drive along the coast with a stop in St. Maxime (small size beach town) and then return your car at the Nice airport. I am a photographer, so I am always in search of those most beautiful and photographic areas. Have a great trip. And as long as you have a car don't forget to go to one of the wonderful markets and pick up a picnic lunch for a romantic stop.

I agree, you will need a car. France is hands down my favorite country in Europe, but there is a LOT of boring scenery there, and almost everything you'll see from the train and from highways is less than spectacular. I would recommend Dordogne for your trip. It's going to have the castles, rivers, farms, old stone houses and hills that I bet your wife is thinking of. I've only driven and trained through Burgandy, but I suspect that's a good choice. Brittany is lovely, too. Provence is huge and does have some beautiful scenery, but it's not my top pick. There are books about scenic drives in France, and the government actually keeps a list of the most beautiful villages in France. Do a bit more research and I bet you'll come up with a great trip. http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Frances-Best-Loved-Driving-Tours/dp/0470105682/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

What time of year? Picture postcard worthy places will vary by the time of the year. And without a car, you'll be limited to picture postcard window views from the train, or picture postcard city views.

French TGV trains stop in the large cities; local trains stop in larger towns. However, you might be able to find a place about 10 kilometers from a town with a train station, in which case you'll be in the countryside. You could take a taxi from a local station. For example, you could stay about 10 kilometers outside Beaune or Vienne or Valence, or another town on the Paris-Nice route. However, you need to be on a local train to do it.

There is a train through Isle-sur-la-Sourge (sp?) a great antiques market town. A quaint provencal place.

Go to Paris. Take the TGV to Avignon. Rent a car - it's dead easy from Avignon. Drive to Vaison-la-Romaine. Explore the wine villages from there including Peter Mayle Country. You may never get her to leave.
Diane

Rent the movie "A Good Year" set in the town of Gordes in Pro It is just like it is in the film and a great base from which to explore the Luberon.

How much time do you have for this trip? I think the suggestion to take the TGV to Avignon (2.5 hrs from Paris) is a good one. There are local buses to Pont du Gard and Uzes, but to appreciate the area you do need a car. Here's a link showing villages in the Luberon which to me is the essence of Provence and sounds exactly what you're looking for Luberon If you have the time, you could explore the Luberon, drive down to beautiful Cassis, then along the coast to St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice.

I advise against driving to St. Tropez. We tried to do it last summer but the traffic was so horrible that we gave up, stayed about halfway there and then turned around. And it is not so pretty along the narrow road, narrow beach and hundreds of people. St. Tropez might be great if you can get there by boat.

As others have posted, you could take the train to Dijon or Beaune and explore Burgundy. Check out their website www.burgundytoday.com We spent a few hours in the very small, quaint town of Montreal. Unfortunately, their accommodations were full. The hilltown of Chateauneuf en Auxois is also very quaint and lovely to walk through. Has amazing views of the valley below. Beaune, and the surrounding towns of Pommard, Volnay and Meursault are set in among the vineyards and lots of fun to tour. Go to local "caves" to taste and purchase their wines. In Rick Steves' tour book, he gives the name of a place that rents bikes in Beaune. You could ride them through the local vineyards. Have a great time!

Pat - This is an impossible question to answer. Not to be flippant, but to see beautiful French countryside you only need to open your eyes. As suggested, Dijon is marvelous, and the food and wine some of the best in France. If your train schedule allows for it, you might consider Provence for a night or two. If you rent a car there, you could see the Luberon region, which is very nice. I would stay in Arles, though, not Avignon. Nothing wrong with Avignon, but for some reason, the food in
Arles, which has some sights as well, is close to the best we have experienced in France.

We are also planning a trip to Frane in two weeks. The Dordogne region looks like it may be my favorite but, a bit west of your itinerary. Provence is also on our list. We're staying at a chambres d'hote (b&b) in Vaison la Romaine and plan to go to the Tuesday market there which I understand is one of the BEST in France. Market days in any village/city is a must for us...so much to see and explore. Fresh produce for a picnic in the countryside. I would also suggest renting a car for this area. Have a wonderful adventure! Nothing will be a bad experience. Do make sure to hone up on French politeness. Knowing the basics in french will be an enormous help. Try busuu.com for free french lessons and tomsguidetoparis.com is invaluable for do's and don'ts anywhere in France. Good travels!