I fly into Paris on Sept. 2, leaving Sept. 15, and plan to spend 2nd week in Paris. Will likely be going solo so can't afford to rent a car. Am looking for recommendations for 1st week. Ideally, some place (not a big city) accessible by train/near 1 or 2 other good daytrip spots. My budget: $100-125/night for accommodation (B&B? gites?). I've gotten a recommendation for the Auvergne region, which sounds nice/not too touristy. Also considering: Brittany (I've been to St. Malo, Dinan, Quimper), Burgundy, Provence (haven't spent much time there), or Dordogne (never been). Would like some place where the odds of it being "nice" (at least mid-60s during day, some sunshine, not raining every day) are fairly good. My interests: markets, brocante, walking, cycling, exploring, nature, art (esp. Impressionism), history (esp WWII and I). Don't drink wine (triggers migraines). I've been to Normandy and D-Day areas 4 times, so want a different region this time (but love it). Welcome your suggestions -- thanks!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
September would be a good time to visit any of these places, but which? Provence is probably best served by rail and bus, but will not be cheap. Elsewhere, you can get to small towns but will exhaust their charms quickly. Don't bother with the lovely Dordogne (a) without wheels AND (b) on a budget. How much of a cyclist are you? I think you need something to extend your reach a little bit or you risk being bored after the first day or so in your charming small town.
Posted by
OP
Charlotte, NC, USA
386 posts
Thanks, Adam! Yes, I see your point re: the Dordogne ... and about perhaps being bored quickly in a village. Re: cycling -- last summer I did a week cycling in the Languedoc, and did 35-45 miles/day ... due to a back injury since, I'm not capable of that now ... probably closer to 20 or so/day.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Provence might be your best bet. Set up in a small city such as Arles, which has charm, Roman antiquities, and rail & bus connections to Avignon, Orange, Nimes, the Camargue, and (I think) Les Beaux. I'd suggest Burgundy with a bicycle, except that wine is such a big deal there that you might feel left out, or annoyed, or something. (Not that there is any requirement to drink!) I spent a week there with a bicycle. Overall it's rural with some wonderful small towns, and of course you can set your own pace (20 mi/day or whatever).
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
355 posts
Alsace might be another area to consider. From Mulhouse through Colmar to Strasbourg is only about 70 miles. There is the reference to the "Wine Road", but the area is certainly not wine-centric (any more or less than any of France is). There are some beautiful little villages along the way, with some nice museums (though I think the museums there lend themselves more to folk art). The food and history are also rather interesting, with so much German influence.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I like the suggestion of Alsace. You can easily get to Strasbourg from Paris by fast train, then to small towns throughout by local train, bus, bike or walking. We once spent a week at a gite in Riquewihr w/o a car, and got around very well, visiting lots of villages (and wineries) by bus and walking.