Bilbo to Paris

Do you mean Bilbao, Spain?

"Bilbo" is the Basque form of the city name.

Renting a car to drive from Bilbao to Paris would be very, very expensive because of the cross-border drop fee. If you decide to drive, you can cross the border by train or bus and pick up a rental car in SW France. I haven't done that, so I don't know where would be most convenient.

The train routing looks nightmarish; it can take up to 24 hours. A bus is faster, but I don't think many would be willing to accept 11+ hours on the bus.

For January 8 I see non-stop flights out of Bilbao only to Paris. There are connecting flights to some other cities in France, so you could fly to Bordeaux, for example, and begin your explorations there. Once in Bordeaux you'll have access to French trains that will get you to Paris quickly.

In summary, this looks about as bad as trying to travel overland from Spain to Portugal. I hope I'm missing something.

Actually, aside from the local weather possibly being chilly, dark and wet, it wouldn't be a bad thing to spend the time seeing more of the Basque Country if that isn't already on your agenda. San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Hondarribia all are worthwhile. There are some attractive small coastal towns, but I'm not sure what they would be like in January.

Thank you for the reply--good to know about the car drop off fee--I corrected the spelling in the original post--My daughter did a college exchange in Bilbo so that is how I learned to spell the location. We are staying in San Sebastian for 3 nights prior to Bilbo. There are direct flights Paris but 6 night in Paris seems a bit overwhelming.--maybe bus to Bordeaux stay a night or two then the TVG to Paris. It does seem to be a bit problematic to try and "wander" form Bilbao to Paris

This is difficult now because international rail services from Spain into France are concentrated onto the Paris-Barcelona TGV route, on the opposite side of the country. Looking at the ex-Thomas Cook international rail timetable, rather than trying to make the whole trip by rail, it is better to use ALSA buses from Bilbo to Irun, and then take a train from Irun to Paris (you may well have to change in Dax and/or Bordeaux).

Six days in Paris definitely isn't too long if it will be your first trip. If it's a revisit, that's a different story.

Paris but 6 night in Paris seems a bit overwhelming

Well, more than a 1000 people a year seem to think otherwise---https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/france/paris

Checkout the 'itinerary' and see if you could stay happily occupied

You would have to take the bus back to San Sebastion and catch the Euskotren to Hendiaye, France . From Hendiaye you can get a TGV train to Bordeaux and from Bordeaux a TGV or Ouigo train (low cost highspeed rail service) to Paris.

We spent a full seven days in Paris about 5 years ago. We still did not see everything. Spend the six days in Paris.

A modest proposal, take one of the direct trains to Barcelona, stay a couple days, then a direct TGV to Paris for the remainder.

And I thought it was a new chapter in "the Hobbit"

I like the Barcelona idea--thanks for the positive responses

Six days is not enough for Paris! but it's a good start.
I spent two weeks there, for each of two years in a row, and still didn't get to see all I had in mind. :)