We'll be spending 10 days in France in the spring and I would love some assistance with our itinerary. I've been many years ago but it's the first time to France for my husband. We're thinking about 4 days in Paris, taking the train to Provence for 4 days (picking up a care there) and maybe 2 days in the Burgundy area since we're most likely flying out of Lyon. I know this isn't remotely enough time in any one area, but this is all the time we've got for the trip. We've traveled in Italy & England like this (2 or 3 days in each place) and it's hectic but we've enjoyed it immensely. For Provence we're thinking about staying in the Luberon area & using our car to explore. What town do you suggest for a base and which for visiting? I think we'll have our fill of museums in Paris, so we'll enjoy wandering around on foot. Our preference was fly home from Marseille, but the flight options from Nice & Lyon look better for us. And if we go mid-May, we want to stay clear of Nice and the Cannes Film Festival. We'll want to spend the night before we go near Lyon (Dijon, perhaps?), so we figured why not stay 2 nights and see a little of the area. Hopefully when we're retired we'll get back with more time, but for now, we'll have to be happy with a sampling. Thanks for your replies!
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
In the Luberon we once spent a week in Bonnieux and enjoyed it. The towns I'd recommend are probably the same ones in every guide book: Menerbes, Gordes, Roussillon, Goult, Loumarin. As to the end part, consider Lyon itself, unless you don't want to stay in a city. Then you might want to consider the Beaujolais region, which is gorgeous.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think your plan is sound and that you can have a good taste of each of these places in the times you have allocated. With such a short visit in Burgundy, I'd stay in Beaune, not sprawling (though interesting) Dijon. A Provencal highlight for me is the Roman antiquities; think Arles, Orange, and/or the Pont du Gard (near Nimes). (If that's your thing too, I mean.) Note the trip to Lyon is shorter from Avignon than from Burgundy (or you could just drive it). Consequently you may do better traveling Paris > Beaune > Provence > Lyon. Have fun!
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4161 posts
A suggestion if I may ? If you take Adam's advice and go to Beaune ,which is charming , try to see Fontenay Abbey which is beautiful and interesting ,and in Beaune , whatever you do , make certain that you visit the Hotel Dieu . It is a charity hospital from 1443 . Primarily a hospice at a time with no science based medicine , It gives a brilliant insight into the harshness of medieval life .
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
For me, the Abbey at Fontenay (suggested by Steven) was a highlight, but I can imagine it might not be everyone's cup of tea. Also, it's a bit tricky to reach without a car. I imagine it could be done enroute from Paris to Beaune: Stop in Montbard, hire a cab to the Abbey and back to the train. Otherwise there's the Hotel Dieu and various wine-tasting opportunities in Beaune, there's happy old Beaune itself, and there's walking or pedaling about outside of town (rent a bike for that). And great food. Dijon is only 20 minutes or so away by train. Should suffice for 2 nights (one full day).
Posted by
Jay, USA
16 posts
Regarding your Provence stay, we spent a terrific week in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, found it a great base for exploring the Vaucluse, and it's convenient to Avignon as well. Nice and quiet, should be pretty easy for you to find a place right in town, rent an apartment for a few days. Ours (this past July) was right on the river...beautiful!
Posted by
Vancouver, Washington, United States
59 posts
I second I'sle sur la Sorgue. Here are a couple of blog posts with some pics I posted about my stay there (long ago but SO memorable:) http://frenchkissedpostcards.blogspot.com/2011/02/lisle-sur-la-sorgue.html
http://frenchkissedpostcards.blogspot.com/2010/01/memory-lane-march-2003.html