Really having trouble figuring out this France Itin. Would appreciate input. Spending 4 days in Paris. Then have 6 days to get to Geneva where we're flying out of. The last day we're planning to ski in Chamonix. So that brings it down to 5 days. I was planning to do something like this Day 0 Leave Paris Drive to Chartres - Overnight Chartres Day 1 Chartres + Loire Valley - Overnight Loire Day 2 Loire Valley - Overnight Loire Day 3 Burgandy? Beaune? Day 4 ?? Day 5 ?? Overnight in Chamonix Day 6 Chamonix - Overnight in Chamonix
Day 7 Fly out of Geneva I just don't really know what to fill in that middle with ... Ideally I would have liked to go up to Normandy, but I feel that's out of the way and would be too much driving. Was thinking of Vezelay? Dijon? Auxerre? Blois? Autun? Anyone have preferences? I know Italy/Germany/Austria Really well, but sadly don't know France so am feeling kind of lost.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
If you stay around Bourges (cathedral to rival Cartres according to some, though I've never been) you are well situated to get to Burgundy. Not sure what kind of a base Bourges is for the Loire chateaux, though; most Americans go for the big names further west. From there Vezeley is a brilliant stop, in fact you could spend a day in the area if you like. The Cousin Valley is beautiful and there are salt springs with human ruins (Roman, neolithic). The Serien valley is also enchanting and you could stay there or push on to Beaune. I did not make it to Autun but friends were disappointed in the Roman antiquities there. (Also I should not oversell the salt springs on that account either, but it is an interesting site.) I found Dijon too sprawling for a quick visit, but it might strike you differently. Liked Beaune and also Semur-en-Auxios very much, also the Fontenay Abbey, Auxerre not as much. For a trip like this guidebooks are your friend and you should invest in a few. I'd go for Rick's France book and the relevant Michelin Green guides at minimum. Some charming walks in Frommer's book of walks and hikes in France.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
This is awfully fast paced, very heavy on the transit-to-sightseeing ratio. Personally, I'd be inclined to save the Loire for another trip, mostly for logistical reasons. In recompense, there are plenty of chateaux near Paris, and you could visit one as a day trip using one of the days you save by cutting the Loire. But this is feasible, though I agree with Betts that one night is not good for Burgundy. You'll be arriving late and leaving early, why bother? The counter argument is that if you won't have wheels in this rural region you are really just going to see Beaune and Dijon. Beaune makes a good bicycling hub (rentals available in town) if you like. If you have a car there are all the great places Betts mentioned and more. Whatever you decide, you really do not have an "extra" day, you have impoverished destinations in need of more time.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
26 posts
Hmmm, you think this is fast paced? I was thinking the opposite as I usually go for a more leisurely paced itin ... I should have mentioned that I am driving so that frees me up a bit. And I was planning on doing 2-3 days in Burgandy (that's why I have ??? on certain days) ... I just don't know where ... I haven't decided at all where to stay other than Chartres the first night so I'm pretty flexible at this point. For the Loire I was thinking of staying somewhere around Bourges. Any more recommendations would be much appreciated!