2 weeks (essentially 12 days when you take out travel to and from)in France at the beginning of September with my mother. I've never been to Europe before. I don't want to rush around from place to place but I do want to see several regions and am the type of person that is okay just getting a taste of places and not spending tons of time at museums and doing touristy sightseeing. My mom has been before and so she is kind of leaving most of it up to me with the exception that she has to go to Avignon. We fly in and out of Paris. We were thinking of doing a trip that would be 3 days in Paris, high speed train to Avignon where we would spend some time exploring the areas around Provence(we'd rent a car)over 3 to 4 days. I really want to see the French Alps, some interest in the French Riviera and am thinking that we'd stop in Alsace region (Strasborg/Colmar?) before heading back to Paris. Is this too much ground to cover in that time? Side note, I plan on going back to Paris at some point so it's not important to me to spend more than 3 days there. Also would probably do a trip at some point that would cover the western portion of France.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1519 posts
Hi, Soleil: I toured Provence extensively; but it was quite a while ago. I like Aix-en-Provence just to do the street cafes etc. Arles is very atmospheric with medieval & Roman stuff. I wouldn't bother with much of the Riviera...too many tourists and too many condos and too expensive. Nice; however is well worth a visit...it has fabulous outdoor markets and has just a taste of Italy. The Alps are OK if you like to hike. I've never been to Alsace..but it is my next planned destination. I would give some art Museums a chance...there are some World Class stuff in them.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I have seen all the regions you are hoping for but not in one trip. realize travel is slow in France when using a car. You can easily do Provence base in Avignon see Arles , Pont du Gard and Les Baux then drive to Nice drop car off and use local train to see Fr Riveria espec Monaco and Villefranche sur la mer. If you train it to French Alps it will be a long trip w/ transfers so perhaps leave this gorgeous area (if you must at least 2 nights jhere min) and Alsace for another trip. Strasborg and Colmar pale in comp to other areas you mention anyway.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I would suggest Paris plus no more than three regions, and that only if you can string them together efficiently. Two might be better.
Paris-Burgundy-Provence-Nice is reasonably efficient, if you fly home from Nice (though I'd personally skip Nice and spend extra time in Provence, and/or stop in Lyon enroute).
Introducing Alsace or the Alps into the mix is less so, so if these are important I would chose one plus Provence.
Flying home from Paris puts a damper on things, though if you end in Provence and your flight isn't too early there are direct trains from Avignon to Charles deGaulle. Open Jaws is better though.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
2 posts
Thanks for the input! I think I'll hold off on French Alps and Alsace. I agree that flying in and out of Paris makes it a bit difficult. It seems we have to make a loop somehow though because we're definitely going to Provence and I'd really like to see one other "region". What if we left off the French Riviera and went to Burgundy for a couple days on the way back to Paris (by train)?? Other suggestions would be welcome too! Thanks again!
Posted by
Portland, Maine, USA
171 posts
I thought I would post a reply because I just got back from Provence and the Nice.
I stayed 4 days in Provence in a town called Arles. I really enjoyed this town. I was able to take the train to Avignon and many other locations.
I took a tour from Avignon to Gords, Roussillon, and Les Baux-de-Provence. We also saw the Pont du Gard.
I took a short train ride to L'lsie sur la Sorgue.
Lovely town. Four days wasn't enough. I took a train back to Marseille and from Marseille to a town very near Nice. This town is called Beaulieu Sur mer. It is right on the med and absolutely lovely. I stayed in a 4 story small hotel/B&B in Beaulieu Sur Mer. It was right across from the Marina. From the terrace I could see all the Yachts. The train station was a 5 minute walk away and I took it to Cannes, Monaco, Monte Carlo. Monaco and Monte Carlo were fantastic to see.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think Paris, Burgundy & Provence make a nice trio, each region very distinct and different. You'd also have time to visit Lyon.
As for returning to Paris, consider that there are direct trains to Charles deGaulle from Avignon (3 hours, arrive 11 AM) and Lyon (2 hrs., arrive 10 or 11 AM). So if you organize your trip to end in either of those locations you can skip the Paris return overnight.