My sister and I are traveling in May to Paris and elsewhere. We have one week between the time we leave Paris to be in Bordeaux for a wedding, and I'm having a hard time deciding where to spend the intervening time. I've considered traveling through the Burgundy region then down to Provence, then up to Bordeaux, but I'm not sure of the best stops to make along the way. We are flexible as far as transportation goes, and will probably combine train and car travel. Any help would be appreciated!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
If you are going to visit Burgundy and Provence in a week, and also get to Bordeaux at the end, then you don't really have time for any other stops "along the way." Locate these points on a map to see what I mean. A less-frenetic alternative would be just to head south. You could stop over in the Loire valley if ancient regime chateau are your thing, and/or head down to the Dordogne and Lot valleys. Lots of wonderful things to see and do in SW France, and you are close to Bordeaux.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
you can rent a car in bordeaux and drive out to salart, and then wonder in the dordogne region. it's less driving and you still get to see plenty good stuff. this area is a half day drive from bordeaux, and you can train from paris to bordeaux, then pick up the car at the train station in bordeaux.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Whichever direction you decide to go, LEAVE PARIS BY TRAIN.
Pick up a rental car at your first stop and drop it off in Bordeaux. If you must return to Paris, for your return flight, just train it back.
Posted by
Oshkosh, Wi, USA and La Trinite-Porhoet, France
87 posts
Charity, you might search the internet for petite ville de caractère. There are many delightful small gems which don't show up on typical tourist's maps. Rick has done a good job of covering many of them. One of my favorites is Josselyn in Brittany. You might also consider Vittre, which has an interesting Chateau. Both of these are in the general area of Rennes. If you like coastal areas, Arromanches les Bains with its WWII history is charming. Of course Mont St. Michel would be a must on the coast, as well as St. Malo. Closer to Bordeaux you might stop at La Rochelle on the coast. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time....... just approach the trip with a positive attitude and make a tiny effort to meet the French half way; it will open many doors.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
You won't begin to do Burgandy and Provence justice. You could do one or the other, and I'd suggest taking a train to the region you pick then pick up your car. You could also train to Bordeaux and spend a lovely week in Dordogne. One thing people don't often mention is how BLAH it is to travel by car around France. The scenery from the autoroutes is generally not good. I drove to Provence from Paris once and it was 11 hours of boredom. No, it isn't supposed to take that long, but there is traffic, road construction, etc. There is a TGV to Avignon from Paris that only takes 2:40. We were kicking ourselves.
Posted by
Plano, Tx
65 posts
I agree with Christy and David that Dordogne is a great choice! Great food, lovely wines, lots to see and close car ride (compared to Burgundy) to Bordeaux! I've been to the Dordogne region 3 times and still have not "done it all."
Posted by
Fox Island, USA
88 posts
My suggestion would be to take the TGV to Avignon, spend a couple days in the Provence region (see RS Provence book... Cassis is a beautiful town on the Mediterranean, the calanques are nearby which are gorgeous for hiking/swimming). Then take the train to Sarlat, rent a car there to explore the Dorgogne for several days, then either drive or take the train to Bordeaux and the train back to Paris.