I want to go to to Paris, Normandy (and the Bayeau Tapestry), and the Riviera and possibly Loire. How should I plan that? How many days in the cities and what is the best order to go to all the places?
Posted by
Minneapolis/St. Paul
134 posts
Can you give us more information? How much time do you have, what's your budget, when are you going, how will you be traveling-car or train? With a week, I'd add Paris and either Normandy OR the Loire. With 12-15 days I'd add the other of those two, and only add the Riviera if you have more than about 2.5 weeks. It's a good 5-6 hour train ride to Nice from Paris, much farther than your other destinations. I love France and I'd love to offer advice on a fabulous trip, but we need some more details!
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
You need to provide more personal information so that we can respond more specifically to your needs. First time in Europe/France/Paris? How long do you have in Europe?
What price range are you looking for? Do you have RS Guide Books for Paris and/or France? Get them if you do not as they provided excellent information we have used in our several trips to France/Paris. When do you want to go?
Posted by
OP
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
23 posts
I am just thinking of a trip just to France in April / May sometime, perhaps two weeks. I am now thinking of cutting the Riviera because it is too far from Paris / Normandy.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think in two weeks you can have a good visit to Paris plus 2 or even 3 other regions. So Normandy and the Loire are feasible, if you have a car for that part of your trip. In April expect Normandy to be pretty wet. I suppose you could spend 5 pr 6 days in Paris, 4 days in Normandy, and 3 in the Loire, the rest for travel days. That division of time should be very much subject to revision by you, once you've scoped out the things you want to see and do. Looks like there is a direct TGV from St. Pierre des Corps (near Amboise) to Charles deGaulle that leaves at 9 am and gets to the airport at 10:45. If this works for you and the train is running the day you leave I would plan to start in Paris and end in the Loire, taking this train. The Riviera is feasible if you fly home from Nice, but it's 6 hours from Paris Gar Lyon. This does not play well with the Loire or Normandy, which are perhaps another 3 hours from the Gare Lyon. Long day! However, Provence is less than 3 hours from Paris, much more feasible. Burgundy and the city of Lyon are more or less enroute, so you could structure a trip that way, if you are willing to let Normandy go for another time. Have a great trip!