Just starting to plan an itinerary for my first trip to France next year. I'm thinking of spring, perhaps early May, for 2 weeks. Also thinking of open jaw Paris-Nice, will be alone more than likely, and will rent a car. Don't want a whirlwind trip, prefer enjoying less regions/areas with more time to soak in the atmosphere, but would really like to see: Cro Magnin caves in Dordogne - I love kayaking! Also think St. Cirque lapopie looks beautiful. Would like to visit Provence, Normandy, Paris, and the Loire. If I fly into or out of Nice, would like to spend a couple-3 nights in that area. Any suggestions? To sum it up, I like to be on the water, kayaking or canoeing, love wine, enjoy countryside beauty, don't want to be constantly in motion. Any suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated :o)
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Collette, these are fabulous destinations, but I don't know how you see all of them at a "leisurely pace" in two weeks.
For that pace, I don't think you want to try for more than three destinations. You could even have a very satisfying trip with two.
Paris-Provence-Nice works. I'd recommend taking the train to Provence and renting a car there to save time.
Paris-Loire-Dordogne works; pick up your car in the Loire and fly home from Tolouse or Bordeaux.
To close the triangle, you could consider flying into Marseilles and (via car) seeing some of Provence, then west along the coast enjoying beaches as you go, then north (a bit of a stretch but feasible) to the Lot and Dordogne valleys. This one entails more driving than the other two.
St Cirq is lovely, and if you go that way do not miss the Grotte du Peche Merle.
Posted by
OP
san jose, ca, usa
18 posts
Thanks for the info Adam! Very helpful...last year I did a whirlwind 3 week trip of Germany and Austria, and while it was great, it was also exhausting. It's tempting to try and fit too many destinations in "while I'm there" but I think more enjoyable to split into 2 separate trips :O)