My family is traveling to France for 3 weeks. We arrive Dec. 14th and plan to stay in Paris the first 5 nights of our trip. What do you recommend for the rest of the time? We were planning to head to the Loire Valley and Dordogne area, but heard it basically closes down in December. Should we visit provence? We will be flying out of Florence Italy to head home. Please help!!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
The larger cities in Provence will have things for you to do and see: Avignon, Arles, Aix en Provence, Marseilles. The smaller towns and villages tend to shut down.
Posted by
Toronto, ONTARIO, CANADA
27 posts
Hi Gayle,
I just came back from France, you will like it. Since you will be around December, you can check the Tourists Offices of Stratsbourg & the Champagne Regions as they have Christmas Markets, I have never attended Christmas Markets in France, but 4 years ago, I went to the ones in Germany, you will enjoy as they will have the French ambiance. If you want to go to Stratsbourg from Paris, it will take you 2 hrs if you take the TGV, if you go to Reims it will take 45 minutes by TGV. Feel free to e-mail me as I do not have with me a website of the Stratsbourg Christmas Markets. Most close on Dec 23.
Hope this helps.
Mrs. Pilar Harrietha
Toronto, ON CANADA
Posted by
Kapaa, HI, USA
7 posts
If you like Christmas choral music, check out Notre Dame. They usually have their Christmas concert around the 18th of December, and tickets are by donation of your choice, but you have to pick them up in advance at the cathedral. Hving spent tje past two Chrismases in France, my favorite area for this time of year is Alsace/Lorraine. Strasbourg has wonderful Christmas markets, is beautifully decorated, and has an assortment of concerts at the various cathedrals. Colmar is also beautiful, as is the seldom-touristed Nancy. The Alsace Wine Road has charming villages with many little shops that specialize in Christmas decorations. Provence is also lovely with a wealth of Christmas traditions. Check out the santon shops in the region.