Would like to have your feedback on my really really really rough preliminary itinerary My wife and I are planning our first trip to France in either May or June next year. We will also be bringing along our by then 1 year old child. I know, I know, we shouldn't bring our infant child along to really enjoy France but there are no other alternatives and besides, we would like to instill our love for travelling in her at a very young age. Originally, I was overly ambitious and tried to fit in Provence and the Riviera into our 2.5 week itinerary but I knew we were trying to do too much. Anyway, here's the trimmed down itinerary I've mapped out so far: Day 1: Arrive Paris, depart straight to Bordeaux Day 2-6: Sarlat (or any of the other surrounding cities: Beynac?) Day 7: Limoges Day 8-9: Amboise Day 10: Mont St Michel (My wife absolutely wants to stay a night in MSM) Day 11-12: Bayeux
Day 13-18: Paris I intend on renting a car in Bordeaux on day 2 for our journey to the Dordogne region and will drop the car off after we're done in Bayeux. Day 7 is a one day stop in Limoges so that we can break our travel time as I understand that the drive from Sarlat to Amboise can take around 4-5 hours. We're open to alternative suggestions on a town to overnight in.
Posted by
columbus, nc
294 posts
I love it except for day 1. I don't know how many hours you will travel that day but I would have to stay in Paris then take an early train to Bordeaux the next day. It is only a couple of hours from Bordeaux to Sarlat. We picked the car up from Avis at the train sation and it was very easy to get on the road to Sarlat from there.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You should check flights from your arrival airport to either Bordeaux or Toulouse, either of which could save you some time. Toulouse is a fascinating friendly city and a great place to de-letlag. Both are about 2 hours from the Dordogne. Beynac (or other small town ) versus Sarlat is a personal choice. I'd go for small town on the river, but it's your vacation. Also were I in your place I would be very tempted to press on to Amboise bypassing Limoges. Add the day to either Amboise or Bayeux. But you are right about it being a lot of driving.
Posted by
OP
Singapore, Singapore
46 posts
John: I'm taking the red-eye flight from Singapore and will land in Paris early in the morning - about 13 hour flight time. I think that we'll have less of a jetlag issue as compared to those coming in from the States. Question that I have is whether I should take the train or flight to Bordeaux from Paris CDG? My flight will likely taxi in in Terminal 1 and I understand the TGV station is in Terminal 2. Also, should I drop Limoges (Day 7), where should I allocate the day to? Dordogne or to Normandy - perhaps add in a stop at Rouen or Honfleur? Or should I just use that day to drive towards Amboise and make stops in between at villages/chateaus e.g Oradour and Valancay?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
As for the "extra" day saved if you bypass Limoges: For me it would be a tossup between the Dordogne and Bayeaux. I would not add any new overnight destination. To resolve the tossup, figure out what sights and activities are on the margin in either place. If you had an extra day in Bayeux you would __. If you had it in the Dordogne you would __. And don't rule out Toulouse as your gateway to the Southwest if you are looking at flights.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Shane: Direct flights from Paris to (a) Bordeaux vs. (b) Toulouse would be of similar duration. Toulouse might be 10 minutes more in the air. There is a very good chance that airfare to Toulouse would be less than to Bordeaux. You don't know unless you check. Bordeaux is much closer by train. If you are at the airport anyway, flying might make sense. That's why I suggest (1) to check for flights and (2) to include Toulouse in your flight check.
Posted by
OP
Singapore, Singapore
46 posts
Does it take longer to fly from Paris to Toulouse versus to Bordeaux? How convenient is it to take the TGV to Toulouse versus to Bordeaux? I'm weighing my options and am trying to cut down commute time while trying to keep cost down as well. With TGV, I know I can try for the PREM tickets if I book way ahead of time.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10625 posts
I also think you should fly to Bordeaux and get a vacation rental in the Dordogne you can settle into and use as a base for day trips. Then do the same in Normandy, but take a day to stop and see a sight or two in the Loire between your bases. It will be easier for you and for baby to be settled.