Hi there, My boyfriend and I planned a loose itinerary to France. As it is our first time we want to fit a lot in, but are worried we are over doing it. That said, we are backpacking and not entirely afraid of hustle. Mar 1 & 2: Avignon Mar 3: Train from Avignon to Arles (.5 hour) for Saturday market, leave that evening and head to Aix-en-Provence Mar 4: Aix-en-Provence Mar 5: Train from Aix to Nice (4 hours) Mar 6-7: Nice Mar 8: Plane / Train from Nice to Normandy (6ish hours) Mar 9: Normandy for D-Day beaches. Train back to Paris in evening (2.5 hours)
Mar 10-15: Paris Any advice would be very much appreciated!
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Erin, you said you are backpacking so I don't know whether or not my suggestion is of interest. I would stay in Avignon Mar 1-Mar 5. I would spend one day in Avignon and then rent a car to tour many of the towns in the Provence area. Arles is an easy drive from Avignon. Unless there are hikes you want to take in the Aix area, I don't find it nearly so interesting as Nimes, Pont du Gard, Isle-sur-la-Sorge, Roussillon, St. Remy, Les Baux, Gordes, Arles, Orange, Vaisonla Romain, etc.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I can't figure out why Aix is in there either. Or why Nimes and surrounds isn't.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Aix is interesting on a Saturday when the central part becomes a large market. Sunday is likely to be dull. I'm not sure the market happens in March.
Posted by
Overland Park, KS
102 posts
I thought we would go to Aix when we went but after I did more research we decided to leave it off. Avignon was ok, 1 day seemed fine. We actually trained from Paris to Arles, rented a car in Arles then drove to Avignon (easy drive), did our 1 day in Avignon, then did a driving trip in the Cotes du Rhone area which was a highlight. Should have added at least one day so we could have done the Nimes area. Arles was better than Avignon to us. We loved the market on Saturday morning. Well worth the trip for that.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Erin, I think the way to approach it is to rough out several slower-paced itineraries that cover less ground but give you more scope in these great destinations. Maybe with a short list of key sights and activities you hope to do while you are at each place. Then compare that with what you've done here. Less can really be more. A slower itinerary means less time in transit and more on the ground seeing and doing stuff. Take your day--possibly less than 24 hours--in Normandy. Even if the sun shines and the travel gods smile, your visit to the beaches won't leave time for much else. Bayeux tapestry? Peace and Battle museums (Caen and Bayeux, respectively)? To say nothing of the charms of the Norman countryside or Mont St. Michel. And how will you feel about cris-crossing France if it rains that day? I am not saying not to follow your plan and maybe you will still decide to do so. I'm just suggesting a way to think about it. I hope you have a great trip.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Clarifying what Swan said about Aix: the big Saturday market runs all year there's a market somewhere in Aix every day of the week
Posted by
OP
Toronto, ON, Canada
4 posts
Thank you all very much, we have a lot to think about. I think we are going to take a look at a slower itinerary, it's just so hard with such a beautiful country!
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
I rather like Aix, but it's fine for one day, there's not a ton to see. If you're an art person it's really worth visiting in my mind, and I really loved the atmopshere. But we stopped there because it was on route to Marsielle/Cassis. This trip sounds ambitious but not, you know, crazy like a lot of other trips people talk about on here. As long as you're fine with a fairly hectic schedule and not getting to see everything in one location. I think this sounds really reasonable and like a really nice trip.