SharnaLeah

Hi guys!

I need your help! I've been desparately trying to make a decision about how to spend my time in France.

My boyfriend and I are in our late 20's, and are visiting from Australia from 5 May 2013 - 22 May 2013. I am so torn about which regions to spend time in, I've been reading the LP guide plus unlimited forums and I still can't make a decision, so any help or tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

We have 17 full days, and would like to spend about 4 of those days in Paris, leaving 13 days free. Is Versailles worth a visit?

After Paris and possibly Versailles, we would take a train out of the city and pick up a rental car somewhere.

Our interests include wine, scenery, a few chateux - but our primary goal is to be immersed in the culture and the French way of life. We're not really big fans of museums. We both love photography. Ideally, I'd like at least one region we could bicycle around and sample wines in, if that's possible.

We both love food, but aren't meat-eaters, if that helps!

The potential regions I have on my list so far (which needs to be narrowed down alot!) are: Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Nice/Canne, Burgundy/Dijon, Alsace.

Any advice/tips/suggestions would be greatly welcomed!

Thank you in advance
Sharna

mamcalice

First of all, I would spend 5 days in Paris if you want to visit Versailles. Versailles is an easy half hour day trip from Paris and is worth visiting but you don't want to short-change Paris.

Based on your interests, I would then consider 3-4 days in the Loire to see the Chateaux and the remaining time in Provence and nearby Nice.

You will get different suggestions from everyone who responds. For example, two of my favorite regions, the Dordogne and Normandy aren't on your list. Do a little more research on the regions you are likely to prefer and choose at the most two in addition to Paris.

Southam

Relax. You can't go wrong, whatever you do, since you are so eager and France is so stimulating. Take your own advice and concentrate on a couple of themes in a couple of places that can serve as home base (I like Lyon and Avignon.) Set a relaxed schedule so you can get a genuine feel for the place. Better to walk village streets for a couple of hours, just looking around, cameras at the ready, than to sprint through yet another cathedral on a check-list.
Next time you will see more. And there will be a next time: You're young, you're footloose Australians, and once hooked you won't be able to stay away. Bon voyage.
PS: Make your Paris hotel reservations as soon as possible. It looks to be a busy year.
PPS: As photographers, it will eye-opening for you to look up the visual essays by this forum's stalwart poster Kerouac. Find his name through the advanced search function and click on it for links.

SharnaLeah

mamcalice and Southam - thank you both so much for taking the time to reply to me

Of course I would love to see everything, but am determined to narrow my list down to Paris + 2 regions and enjoy my time in those regions. I can always come back at a later date to experience the rest of France.

Thank you for your suggestions and time, it's greatly appreciated!

bilboburgler

"Our interests include wine, scenery, a few chateux - but our primary goal is to be immersed in the culture and the French way of life. We're not really big fans of museums. We both love photography. Ideally, I'd like at least one region we could bicycle around and sample wines in, if that's possible."

For me there are three choices for this sort of holiday.
1) The Loire, http://www.loirevalleytourism.com/Di...elo-trail.html loads of chateau, wine and bikes
2) Alsace, Strasbourg and Colmar for the main architectural sites then there is a wine road. http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Alsace_Guide.php bike hire is very doable here just not well advertised on the web. Come back to me if you want to use this area
3) Auxerre/Chablis, http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Yonne_Guide.php such a pretty area, with a great combination of small and large AC wines, gentle hills canals etc

mr_go

<I>our primary goal is to be immersed in the culture and the French way of life</I>

We rented a house in a small town in the Dordogne Valley once, and it was one of our favorite trips ever.

I'd say more, except I'm not typing on a real keyboard... And St Cirq and Stu Dudley have already said it all and said it better.

LimousinCottage

Lots of chateaux, wine, eating out and cycling in our neck of the woods too! It's very unspoilt - almost like a trip back in time in lots of ways. We have Chateaux - one of which (Coussac Bonneval) is the only Chateau in France still owned by the original family who built it! The tours are very small and personal - they take a small party at a time, you have to go into the tourist information office to book, and if the tour guide (who also doubles as the tourist information assistant) is in the middle of a tour you have to have a very pleasant wait for the next one. Preferably, wine in hand, sitting in the sunshine on the bench in front of the Chateau gates. How French is that! It's quite a small Chateau - but amazing.

FrenchMystiqueTours

For wine, chateaux and cycling you might want to consider The Loire and Burgundy. Both regions are noted for their wine and chateaux and both are great for cycling. Burgundy will have more interesting landscapes than the Loire:

http://www.cycling-loire.com/

http://www.burgundy-by-bike.com/

nytraveler

I applaud you idea of visiting chateaux, biking and wine. A couple of note:

For most vinyards you need an appointment to visit (although there are obviously a million cafes and stores to sample wines)

How is your French? The further off the beaten track you go (esp biking back roads) the most important that you can manage at least basic French. The smaller the town the fewer the people who will be fluent in English. You've got several months - so I would polish your French so you can manage the most basic interchanges, understand a little of what is said to you and be able to read a menu. (Don't worry if it's been years since you studies it - I've found it comes back immediately you land - desperation focuses the mind wonderfully.)

RobinSparkles

Hi! I agree with mamcalice, Paris and its region are absolutely beautiful. But if you are planning to rent a car I suggest you to visit also the French Atlantic coast. You can start from La Rochelle and run the coast by bike, go the beach, visit the astonishing natural reserve and the typical French villages…not to talk about food I suggest you a website where you can find some information about this region: http://www.visit-poitou-charentes.com/en/Atlantic-coast. Hope you will find it useful!
P.S. I am planning to go to Australia next year you can maybe give me some advices too