My husband and I will be in France in August 2012. We will be in Paris for 5 1/2 days (the 1/2 day is the day we fly in so we're not expecting to do much that day) and have 3 days to go to one other place in France. We would like to take a train to either the Loire Valley or the Burgundy region and rent a car to drive around and then return the car in Paris. We're looking for a relaxing few days, beautiful scenery, some time in smaller towns, and possibly wine tasting. We don't speak French although we're planning to try and learn a little. Our three days outside of Paris will be on a Tues-Thurs if that makes a difference.
Any advice on which of the two regions we should pick would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
I love both areas but if I had to choose just one, it would be the Loire Valley. Charming towns, beautiful chateaux, the river, the scenery. You can't go wrong with either one.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2450 posts
Agree, loved both areas but prefer Loire. Try not to miss Chambord chateau, even if you don't go into it, the view is magnificent. Enjoy.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You can't go wrong, but Burgundy would be my pick. Loire for renaissance chateux, of course, if that is your thing. If you do go to Burgundy, consider Beaune, Chateuneuf, or Semur as a base. Also there is a direct TGV from Dijon to Charles deGaulle that bypasses Paris; you can take that and save a bunch of travel time. (There's a similarly direct TGV from St. Piere-des-corps in the Loire.).
Posted by
OP
Redwood City, CA, United States
7 posts
Thank you for your responses! We decided we weren't super interested in the chateaus (we're planning on seeing Versailles when we're in Paris and we think that will be enough) so if both have nice scenery, we're probably headed for Burgundy!
Thanks for the advice and the assurances that either would be beautiful!
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
I would have recommended Burgundy, so I think you made a good choice. Since you'll have a car, you'll be able to explore outside of Beaune and Dijon, which is where a lot of the beautiful scenery, smaller towns and better wine tasting are. I'd recommend visiting Semur-en-auxois and the Abbeye de Fontenay. (And a GPS!)
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1530 posts
Karen, It sounds like you've made up your mind and will have a wonderful time! My only advice is to return your rental car BEFORE going back into Paris. Returning a rental car in Paris can be a total nightmare. I think with AutoEurope it doesn't cost any more to return a car to different city within the same country.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
RS has a good driving route we followed. Don't miss Chateauneuf-en-Auxois... the most charming, storybook village I've ever seen.