We're traveling to France in September, spending 6 days in Paris and two weeks in Provence, where we'll have a car. We bought a 3 day France Eurail Pass and will use two days traveling from Paris to Avignon and back. Where should we use the extra train day pass? Should we take one of our Paris days and go to Normandy or St Mont Michel or head elswhere? Or use it when we're in the south? Any ideas?
Delora from Canada
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
Do a google search for sights in each town. Read all you can about Paris , Normandy and St Michel to determine where you want to tour. One town will offer enough to attract you.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
207 posts
Debra, We had the same situation a few years ago and decided to stop off in Lyons. We are still thrilled that we did that. Obviously, the lyonnaise cuisine is remarkable. We love Roman ruins and museums and Lyons is spectacular with two arenas built circa 15 a.d. and a fascinating museum of the Roman Empire. The main square and restaurant loaded streets around it were great fun. Tram system makes travel easy. You may want to try Lyons. George, Pittsburgh
Posted by
OP
Kelowna, BC, Canada
2 posts
Thanks for the idea on Lyon...I hadn't even considered going there!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Think carefully before you let the existence of a "free" rail day drive a decision to change your itinerary. That said there are many wonderful destinations you could add, from Lyon (essentially enroute) to Burgundy (slight detour) to others that would be more of a detour.
Normandy, though a great place, is going to be hard to enjoy without spending at last a few days there. Unless you were to settle for a Norman city like Rouen.
Weigh this against using your rail pass for a day trip from Paris (such as Chartres or Rouen). People here could make some suggestions if they knew what you and yours liked to see and do.
In theory you could cover a lot of ground in Provence with your pass, too, because so many sights are well-served by rail. In practice if you've got a car, it's redundant, especially if, having a car, you are staying in a small town or farm someplace. (That's what I would do.)
But, if you are staying at a rail hub, you could rent the car for a day less than planned and use up the pass on that day; the value would be what you save in rental fees and gas.
Have fun!