My husband and I are going to France in September, and will be visiting Paris, Burgundy or Loire, Nice and Provence. We want to use the public transit options, e.g., rail and bus, when we venture out of Paris. I was told that renting a car is the best way to tour France outside of Paris. But we really don't want to be bothered with a car. Will we be able to get to where we want and see enough via public transit?
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
Except for a few regions, you don't need a car. What is your itinerary?
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2428 posts
Why not rent a car, that way you can go where you want to go, are you worried about driving in France, let us know. We rented car once we left Paris and had great time. Do not however drive in Paris at all or we won't see you until 2012.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
I think having a car in France greatly expands your options, especially in Burgundy and Provence. Driving is easy and parking in small towns is too. Is your concern driving out of Paris, or just driving in a foreign country in general. You can get a lot of advice here about how to mitigate those concerns. Let us know.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I agree with Doug. I have done it both ways, and there are mass-transit options in both places, but they can be thin, especially in Burgundy. A car there will greatly extend your reach. The best of both worlds is to use France;s excellent rail system to travel between regions, an a car (or two) to explore and see the countryside.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
French public transportation is uniformly excellent in big cities and between big cities, but can be very limited in the country. It varies from region to region but often local bus and rail services can be very limited and timed to take villagers to work/school/shop in the nearest town and back. Also, it can be difficult to find local bus information online - you generally need to search by the local "departement" or county rather than the specific place name, and the information is rarely available in English.
Posted by
OP
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
2 posts
Thank you everyone for your inputs. I think what we'll do is hold off renting a car until we get to Provence. That will be the last leg of our trip and we'll use the car to explore the countryside. Merci Beaucoup!!
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1326 posts
Debbie - If you're more comfortable with an automatic transmission, you'll want to reserve the car in advance.
Posted by
San Diego, ca, usa
2 posts
Spent a month on the Cote d'Azure last fall without a car, and discovered that the bus was the way to go for local touring. Cannes to Nice for a single euro compared to 6-10 or more for the train. BTW A one block ride? Also one euro. Yes it took longer but it was also a sightseeing opportunity every time; past medieval towers, across the Var, past the Mediterranean. There are many fantastic bus routes from Nice up into the hills, though it took me a bit to figure out where each one departed if they were not in the Gare Routiere. You probably know that Google maps will give walking directions that were great for me (a girl used to a grid) in Nice old town's medieval warren. Also the buses were not disrupted as the trains were for the incessant strikes I experienced. I am strongly pro workers rights, but that got old. Rick's site has great info but I also found beyond.fr to have very useful details. ENJOY!
Posted by
Monein, Pyrenees, France
425 posts
Many areas of France (e.g. where I live) have NO public transport whatsoever, apart from taxis. You will be limited to the "tourist trails" if you don't have a car. Roger
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
29 posts
Debbie, I share your not wanting to be bothered with a car. I want my European travel to be a vacation. Driving all over the place is too much like work.
Last year we spent 2 months in Provence/Cote d'Azur without a car. We used trains, busses, and (although it strains my Arthur Frommer - Rick Steves do it yourself travel pedigree) tour vans. It all went well and I would do the same again.