Vacation In France

Lynn: It would help if you would let us know what you are interested in doing in the countryside. Do you like to visit chateaux? Visit gardens? Churches/cathedrals? Just look at the scenery? Then we could perhaps suggest something. Peter

Hi Lynn! I agree thatit would be useful to know what you like to do. That said, here are some suggestions. Paris for 4 days, train to Avignon, easy to rent a car at the TGV station. Stay in either Villeneuves les Avignon or a bit further out, in L'isle sur la Sorgue. L'Isle is easy, a great base to visit the best of Provence. It also has two excellent markets a week, boulangeries, easy and inexpensive dining (although not haute cuisine). My husband and I spent a week there this past summer, along with our two dogs. Visit Avignon, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Pernes les Fontaines, Villeneuves les Avignon, Pont du Gard, Les Baux...really, Provence is endlessly interesting. We try to hit a different town's market every day--great fun. You could also train it to either Bordeaux or Nice for an equally nice holiday. The Lot Valley is fun...we stayed near Cahors last summer, had a grand time.

Early spring, I'd head south. Another vote for picking up a car in Avignon and heading out from there in almost any direction. The only thing to be aware of is that the south does have "le mistral" on some days at that time of year. It's not all sunshine like in California or Florida. Le Mistral is a frosty wind that blows down the Rhone Valley from the Alps. On those days you'd want to do inside activities, or just deal with it.

Paris and Provence. Like others have suggested, take a train to Avignon and get a car there. It is a perfect compliment to staying in Paris and will give you a chance to see the countryside and smaller villages.

I would keep things as simple as possible and choose either Burgundy or Provence. Do use the train to get out of Paris, but also back to the airport. There are direct trains to deGaulle from both Dijon and Avignon that bypass Paris completely. To take advantage of that, book a mid-afternoon return flight. A Burgundy itinerary might go like this. Take the train to Auxerre and drive to Vezeley and/or one of the small towns in the Serien valley, or Chablis. Spend the night or even two, see some of the area. The next day you might take in the Fontenay Abbey, and perhaps spend the night in Semur, or just visit Semur and push on to Beaune. In Beaune if it's nice rent bicycles. The weather in Burgundy in April will be a lot like the weather in Danbury. Ditch the car in Beaune and take the train to Dijon to catch the train to deGaulle. I've never been in Provence that time of year but in some ways it might be the better choice. Early April is the off season and many sights are on limited hours. You will have the advantage however of being able to travel without reservations. A guidebook will help you flesh out details. Have a blast!

Adam is right about Burgundy as a destination. Note: Chablis is only 15 kilometers east of Auxerre. It's too early to see vines but the growers have time to pour tastings. Neither Auxerre nor Dijon get much ink in the guide books, but they are worth the trip. Dijon, Burgundy's capital, is very important. Out of the way, in Chatillon sur Seine, is the Vix Treasure. It's in all the art history books, but gets no coverage in the US guidebooks. You'll have to google it for more. Nothing else of interest there, though. Again to the east of Chablis, in a half hour and you are in Champagne. You go up the hill from the Burgundy town of Tonnerre, and the houses change to the Champagne style within just a few kilometers. The first important town is the cheese center of Chaource with incredible art work in the church. After that is the capital of Champagne, Troyes, with plenty to see. From there you can loop south toward Dijon, Vezelay, the source of the Seine, and all the rest. If you have time you should go further south for a day to Autun, a Roman garrison town, with good Gallo-Roman ruins. One caveat, IMO before mid-April when the canola fields bloom and houses sprout window boxes, you really feel winter in Burgundy--gray, constricted, heavy. All that dark, gray limestone starts getting heavy mentally. After 4/15, it starts to come alive. This is probably my prejudice because I've been going to my in-law's house near Chablis for decades. We spent six months in Cassis near Marseille. Except for the days with the Mistral winds, I think early spring in the south has better light and feels less confining. But that's IMHO.

Hi again - Getting back on my propsed trip to Provence after doing some research.
Any thoughts about traveling there end March/early April in respect to the weather? I know there's the mistral winds to be considered. I also noticed prices go up at various time...some end March...some mid April...some end April. Thanks for you input.

If you want to visit Provence and perhaps the sea I would go as late as possible. Probably a slightly better chance of nicer weather. I agree with the scenario of of taking the train to Avignon and pick up the car. You can also look into staying in St. Remy (my favorite base town in the area). Great market, and a beautiful drive into the city and also the hospital where Van Gogh spent some time.