travel in France between Normandy and Nice

Wow, 10 hours. It takes 2.5 hours by TGV to reach Avignon from Paris. So, I looked a Michelin and they estimate 9.31 hours, most of it on Autoroute. And that if there are no delays or weather to xlow you down--and you are traveling at the max speed. Also, they note that just the tolls will cost 81.30 Euros. I think it is a better plan to figure at least 12 hours, possibley more, depending on conditions. That said, Lyon looks good--a little over half way, which makes day two easier. Have fun!

Do you want to see anything between Normandy and Nice? How much time to do have for sightseeing? Have you looked at a route yet? Do you feel that you must make a hotel reservation prior to starting the trip? Do you only have two days to make the trip? We have driven much of that trip and we drove until we were getting tired or just were ready to quit. We have only had difficulties getting reservations on the holiday periods.

You can toss mapquest in the trash on this one. That's close to 750 miles which means at least twelve hours and that's if you start with a full tank, an empty bladder, and a barrel of fuel strapped on the roof with a hose leading to the tank and another hose...... I didn't look at mapquest, but I suspect that most mapping software for that route takes you along the Paris peripherique - - the western sector can slow to a crawl. My guess is that, counting stops, you're looking at fourteen hours. The way I'd split the trip over two days is to duck Paris, swing through Chartres for lunch and a look at the cathedral, then press on to Beaune for the night. That's seven hours of driving the first day with a good break. I'm not the Beaune fan that most Rickites are, but it's a nice enough place to wander a bit before and after supper. Budget hotels abound right at the freeway. You'll have another seven hours the second day, but it gets real interesting once you hit Orange.

Here's my bias upfront: Too much driving is a drag and a waste of precious time on the ground in France. So either ditch the car or slow down with it and see some sights along the way. You have no problem with spending two days of your vacation driving across France? Your mileage may vary of course. If you just want to click your heels and be in Nice, maybe fly. Looks like there are some cheap flights from Orley

Adam has asked the relevant question. Are there places you want to see between Paris and Provence? Given you question, I suspect that the answer is "no". The next question is "are there things you want to see in Provence/Cote de Azur, other than Nice?" If so, then you will want a car in the south. It is is simply Normandy and Nice, fly from Paris. If there are other things in the south of France, take the train to Avignon and pick up a car at the TGV station.

Actually this is just one leg, of a larger car trip, throughout much of western europe. We would love to visit that area of southern france. Just asking, where, people have been, and would make a good place to visit along the way. A nice place to visit AND break up a long drive!

Here's another example of the Helpline Tangent (skip the OP's question, tell him what he hasn't asked, stick your nose in his business). Not once did Vito ask about planes and trains, he was concerned about the distance and where to take breaks. It's a wonder ......