We are a well traveled couple looking to travel in France for about 3 weeks in May or June. Will start with 4 days in Paris then 2 weeks touring via car and ending up in Nice area for 3 days. Would like ideas of a 2 week itinerary with favorite areas, routing, sights, accommodations, eats etc. We like B&Bs and small hotels, scenery, ruins, Chateaus, etc. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I'm oversimplifying, but I think you have two basic choices to make. First, east or west? That is, a western counterclockwise swing though the Loire, the Perigord, and Languedoc, OR a clockwise eastern swing through Burgundy, the Jura and the Alps, before visiting Provence and then Nice? Second, your preferred pace. You could squeeze Normandy into the westbound itinerary, or the Loire or Alsace into the eastern one, but at the expense of time on the ground. Or you could slow down by omitting the Loire or the Alps, and see more of the remaining. Based on your preferences I think you would especially like the Dordogne, Provence, and Burgundy, but it would be hard to see them all and still end in Nice. In all cases I think the train can be your friend. Take it to your first after-Paris destination (except maybe Normandy) in any case to save time and hassle.
Posted by
darlington
26 posts
Hi, can i suggest you have a look at Alistair Sawday Special places to stay in France .
We used the guide this summer when planing our europe road trip and found it very helpful and the acommodation was superb.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
18 posts
My wife and I just completed a three week trip to France, starting in Paris for 5 days and ending in Nice for 4 days, with stays in Beaune and Avignon along the way. We traveled by train the entire trip, which included a one day side trip to Nimes while staying in Avignon. We stayed at a wonderful, highly rated B & B (Les Jardins de Lois) while in Beaune, the capital of Burgundy. We were not disappointed, as the location, accommodations, and hosts were wonderful. We would stay there again without question. While in Avignon, we both felt the highlight of our stay was the one day side trip to Nimes, which is rich in history dating back to the Roman period. We had originally planned a side trip to Arles, but some chance meetings with French citizens convinced us that Nimes was the better choice if we could only visit one location. From information given us, Nimes has the second most well preserved Roman arena in the world outside of Rome. Nimes was also a very clean, inviting, and friendly city. Enjoy your trip, as we did ours.