France - Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley and Cannes in early spring

Thanks for your quick reply. I plan to take a 14 day trip - a week in Paris, 2 nights for Normandy and the Loire Valley, and 4 nights in Cannes. What are suitable day trips from Paris towards the Western side of France? To explore the Northwestern and Southwestern side of France, is 3 days enough?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

You might want to look into hotel reservations now for May on the Riviera. It took a while for us to find a place in Antibes because of over-flow for the Cannes Film Festival.

Goodness, I really wouldn't try to see Normandy and the Loire in 2 days! I suppose that two days in each region might give you a taste, if you are nimble. More time would be better.

The drive from the Loire to Cannes would be a long haul, maybe fun if you find some of-the-beaten-track places in between.

SW France is a whole other region, worth exploring but I just don't see how you have the time. Indeed in two weeks, one in Paris, I wouldn't add more than two more regions. If one of them is the Cote D'Azure and you are not into the road-trip aspect I would take a train.

France is big, You can't see all of it but there is good stuff everywhere. Good luck!

Did a similiar trip lasy July. Paris 6 nights...Amboise 3 nights...Mont St Michel 1 night..Normandy 3 nights...then back to Paris. We rented a car, complete with GPS.

The best place we stayed was in the Loire.. Chateau des Ormeaux..It was Excellent !

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g315796-d309025-Reviews-Chateau_des_Ormeaux_Amboise-Nazelles_Negron_Loire_Valley_Centre.html

I can't help with Normandy (never been) but Loire Valley I stayed in Chinon at the Hotel Diderot it was family run with a great breakfast they make their own jam. Parking available, very helpful staff that did our laundry. I would indeed get a car for this area to visit the various chateau.

You shouldn't need a car in Cannes and Nice is an easy train connection. Not as familiar with Cannes but if you go to Nice you might spend the day at the beaurivage beach area 15 euro per person, have, breakfast, white wine, and say hi to Vincent the server for me.

April into May is a wonderful time to visit the Loire. If you enjoy gardens they are excellent at that time. You should also enjoy sunshine for your exploration of Normandy. I would suggest at two or three nights for the Loire. Normandy can be done in one day - it depends on your interests.

I think that you will probably find the weather very similar to that which you would have at home in Washington, DC. Cannes will be a little warmer. Be aware that Cannes will be very crowded and expect prices to be higher at that time.

This trip is an investment of your time and money. Do invest in a new and up-to-date guidebook.

Never been to Normandy but I drove down from Paris , Loire valley to Golden Coast. I think I did Loire valley in 3 days stopping at many chateaux, a few winneries and driving on side roads not on highway. Cannes is worth a v?

Thanks to everyone for your help so far! I am reading the RS France guidebook this weekend. I will follow Kent's suggested itinerary of driving to the Loire Valley (3 nts) - Normandy (1 or 2 nts) - Mont. St. Michel (1 nt) - then Paris (7 nts) and ending with Cannes (4 nts).

I am checking out the hotel/B&B recommendations posted and sincerely appreciate your feedback. This is a great forum!