Itinerary for France-Revised

I think your itinerary is just right and I wouldn't change anything.

I agree with Kent. It is a great itinerary.

Hi Sharon,

I wouldn't change anything either, I would only suggest that if you have a chance, take the short train ride from Annecy to Chambery. I spent a summer there studying abroad. I don't know what it will be like in January, but it's a wonderful small town, with a castle, museums, shops, great restaurants and bars, etc.

Enjoy your time in France!

Thanks Nicole! That's a great suggestion--we will add Chambery as a day trip from Annecy--it sounds lovely.

I disagree with many of those who responded. I have more deeply enjoyed my visits to France when I stay put for at least 5 nights in one city. I have the time to soak it all up....rather than spend all that time on a train or bus or car going from one place to the next. If you have 2 weeks, perhaps 3 towns should be your absolute maximum.
But, that is just my opinion.

I agree with Bonnie: it's nice to let yourself get grounded in a place and not rush anything. Too many times, I see people jam-pack their trips with so many things to do, that they don't really have time to settle down and get the feel for a place. Sometimes it's just nice to be like a local: hang at a café for hours, enjoy leisurely walks, happen upon things rather than set hard-and-fast goals. It can be a wonderfully refreshing - and rejuvenating - vacation experience.

The trip I just returned from (Paris and Provence) was great, though had I to do it again, I'd have stayed only in Avignon, rather than spend 1.5 days in Aix and 1.5 days in Avignon. There wasn't enough time to really settle before we had to move on.

Just my $0.02 (or €0.017) - your mileage my vary.

I suggest you take the daytrip from Paris to Giverny after first visiting the Orangerie in Paris...it is a trip not to be missed. Also, Ambois is a good stop if you are a D'Vinci afficionado.

Thanks to all for your comments--Kate, I haven't been to the Orangerie or Giverny so that's a great suggestion. Bonnie and Rudi make a good point about slowing down a bit so we're thinking about revising our itinerary to something like:

Paris (5 nights), Lyon (4 nights), Nice (4 nights) and then return to Paris one night before our return flight on the next day. Beaune, on our original itinerary looks like a nice, smaller city but might be better visited in warmer weather rather than January. Our thinking is that there are several smaller villages that we could day trip to from Nice and it might be a bit warmer farther south in January. Does this itinerary make sense?

The only thing I would add is that Burgundy (Beaune) is THE place for quintessential french cuisine and wine. You mentioned you're interested in food and wine so I wouldn't miss Burgundy. I'd skip Nice personally, but if you're concerned about the weather, then Nice is a decent alternative.

On your re-revision: I think you are right to stay in large cities this time of year. Then there is something indoors and cultural to do in inclement weather. (Beaune is lovely though, and of course in the very heart of wine country.)

On that score you might find more options based in Avignon than in Nice. That would be an entirely different part of SE France, but if you've never been to either you might consider Provence instead of the Cote d'Azure.

I don't know that Giverney in January would be worth a day trip. There are no paintings to see there, just the garden.

The only other observation is so obvious I think it must have been made before: what a waste to return to Paris just to catch an airplane! All of your destinations boast international airports, and if you haven't bought your tickets yet you could save time and money by flying directly home.

Alternatively, if your return flight leaves in the afternoon, you can take morning train from either Avignon or Lyon that goes straight to deGaulle, bypassing Paris. You might want to work that into your plan, either by visiting Nice before Lyon or by substituting Avignon for Nice.

This sounds like a great trip--have a blast.

I suggest while in Burgundy region (Beaune) you enjoy a classic burgundian appetizer, escargot and a kir cocktail, this is what we enjoyed and still savor from our August 2008 trip.

Sharon, I would think twice about Nice. Avignon is a wonderful city. Perpignan might also be worth looking at. Their cuisine has some Spanish influences that produces great dining. Also, going west from Lyon may be something to consider. The food from Brive-la-Gaillard, Perigueux, and Bordeaux is fabulous and their wine is also excellent. I do think going as far south is a good idea in the hopes of catching better weather conditions. You may want to consider flying back to Paris rather than using the train. I have used vayama.com and mobissimo.com; the flights are quite inexpensive right now and will save you some time. Cheers.

Sharon, I think your itinerary looks great. Nice is wonderful as a home base to visit other places during the day. Yes, it will be too cold for being in the water - but having your last days in France looking out onto the Med Sea an't to shabby :) We stayed at Hotel Suisse. Maybe the only affordable hotel on the shoreline with views. You can hop over to Monaco. You can tour Eze. Nice has a wonderful Marc Chagall museum.
Your itinerary has nice balance. Paris - big city and site seeing. Lyon - heart of France, food and wine. Nice - natural beauty of the sea and a great place to kick off for day trips.

Hmmmmm...lots of great suggestions and very much appreciated!

I haven't been to Nice and decided to give it a look since it's in Rick's "Best of Europe 2009" book. Is Nice too touristy or maybe more expensive for a budget traveler?

We've been to Avignon but for a very short visit several years ago--it's absolutely something we'll consider.

We've already purchased our flights in and out of CDG. I like taking trains but it's a good suggestion to look at discount airlines as well!

This is the fun part of the trip planning--considering all of the possibilities! Merci!

Sharon: one thing to keep in mind is that many of the discount airlines fly into Orly and not CDG. While it's a simple RER ride on the B line between the two airports, it's worth keeping in mind. The TGV from the coast to CDG is a smooth, hassle-free ride that, once you count check-in and security at the airport, would be a bit of a wash, time-wise.

But the price of the budget airlines in Europe is quite cheap if you buy in advance, so.... go with whatever feels best to you! :)