15 days tour itinerary to France
Mar 21st, 2012, 01:45 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
15 days tour itinerary to France
i'll be going to France in October, 2012. can you suggest me an effective itinerary. i want to do paris nicely. do i need to take any guided tours? is there any guided tour available for louvre? i further want to go to normandy,Loire, Riviera, Dordogne, provence. i'm not much interested in the beaches. more interested in Historic, cultural and art centres. clould you also guide me on the hotels and transportations?
regards
Zeek123
regards
Zeek123
Mar 21st, 2012, 02:00 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm afraid you're trying to do a lot of different places in only 15 days. To see much of Paris you will need at least 5 days (tours are not necessary - but yuo can get one of the Louvre if you want). To do 5 more areas in only 10 days just won;t work. I would limit that to 2 or at most 3 more places.
For places except the Riviera you will really need to rent a car to get around to the variouis sights and small villages. Riviera has better public transit options - you can take the TGV to Nice and from there take train or bus trips to many of the other towns along the coast and up in the hills.
For places except the Riviera you will really need to rent a car to get around to the variouis sights and small villages. Riviera has better public transit options - you can take the TGV to Nice and from there take train or bus trips to many of the other towns along the coast and up in the hills.
Mar 21st, 2012, 04:51 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with nytraveler. You should do some research and choose 2 places in addition to Paris. You simply can't do all of your desired destinations justice in 15 days. You might consider Normandy and the Loire or Provence and the Riviera. All are best visited with a car.
On 8 trips to France, mostly for 2 weeks, we have usually spent a week in Paris and a week in another location. Provence and the Dordogne each are best visited for at least a week. Normany and the Loire might be combined for a week.
Good luck with your planning and come back when you have narrowed your choices a bit for additional questions and suggestions.
On 8 trips to France, mostly for 2 weeks, we have usually spent a week in Paris and a week in another location. Provence and the Dordogne each are best visited for at least a week. Normany and the Loire might be combined for a week.
Good luck with your planning and come back when you have narrowed your choices a bit for additional questions and suggestions.
Mar 21st, 2012, 05:31 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Z,
In early October, I suggest a week in Paris - start with "Destinations" on this forum.
If you will have a car, the Dordogne, Provence or Alsace for your second week.
Without a car, I suggest taking the train to Strasbourg for 3 days (visiting Nancy and Colmar as side trips) followed by 3 days in Dijon with a visit to Beaune.
Enjoy your visit.
In early October, I suggest a week in Paris - start with "Destinations" on this forum.
If you will have a car, the Dordogne, Provence or Alsace for your second week.
Without a car, I suggest taking the train to Strasbourg for 3 days (visiting Nancy and Colmar as side trips) followed by 3 days in Dijon with a visit to Beaune.
Enjoy your visit.
Mar 21st, 2012, 06:58 AM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I agree that it would be difficult to cover all those areas on your own. If you really want to see ALOT of the country and get just a brief taste of the different areas, then a tour is going to optimize your time. To get an idea of how a tour might be organized check out the website for Rick Steves tours. You will see more sights on a tour and it can give you a great overview of a country but you will miss some of the delights of slow travel. Otherwise like others have said, I'd suggest limiting your places to visit to Paris and maybe 2 or 3 more stops.
In Paris there are some very pleasant and reasonable walking tours available thru Paris Walks. I think one does go to the Louvre and there are other (higher priced) options I am sure.
In Paris there are some very pleasant and reasonable walking tours available thru Paris Walks. I think one does go to the Louvre and there are other (higher priced) options I am sure.
Mar 21st, 2012, 07:08 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it's your first visit to France, I recommend you spend 5 days in Paris. Then divide the next 9 days between 2 destinations. If the Dordogne is to be one of them, you must have a car. Pretty much the same for Provence.
For information on the Louvre, go to its website. For guided tours of Paris, search here on Fodors.
A guidebook on France would be a good place to start for general information.
For information on the Louvre, go to its website. For guided tours of Paris, search here on Fodors.
A guidebook on France would be a good place to start for general information.
Mar 23rd, 2012, 01:41 AM
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
eurocheapo.com/paris
parisvoice.com
ricksteves.com
slowtrav.com
Good planning sites for you.We enjoy central hotels and training out to neat areas like locals do seat61.com/france
In 15 days in the past we have done Paris beaunes.com Arles Nicehoteldelacite.com Caracassonne over to the Atlantic coast
back into Paris. Doable if a bit rushed make more time if you can.
Have fun!
parisvoice.com
ricksteves.com
slowtrav.com
Good planning sites for you.We enjoy central hotels and training out to neat areas like locals do seat61.com/france
In 15 days in the past we have done Paris beaunes.com Arles Nicehoteldelacite.com Caracassonne over to the Atlantic coast
back into Paris. Doable if a bit rushed make more time if you can.
Have fun!
Mar 23rd, 2012, 08:46 AM
#9
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since '99 when we retired early so we could travel more, we've spent about 2 months vacationing in various regions of France each year.
I agree with St Cirq
- Land at CDG & take the TGV to the Avignon TGV station, rent a car, & spend 5 nights in Provence.
- Head west on the A9/A61 towards the Dordogne - stopping at Carcassonne for a 2 1/2 hr visit and to break-up the drive. Then on to the Dordogne for 5 nights.
- Visit Collognes la Rouge in the early AM, then drive to the Brive la Gaillard train station, dump the car, and take the TGV to Paris & spend your final 5 nights there.
Perfect trip to France!!!
Stu Dudley
I agree with St Cirq
- Land at CDG & take the TGV to the Avignon TGV station, rent a car, & spend 5 nights in Provence.
- Head west on the A9/A61 towards the Dordogne - stopping at Carcassonne for a 2 1/2 hr visit and to break-up the drive. Then on to the Dordogne for 5 nights.
- Visit Collognes la Rouge in the early AM, then drive to the Brive la Gaillard train station, dump the car, and take the TGV to Paris & spend your final 5 nights there.
Perfect trip to France!!!
Stu Dudley
