jill777

Happily this is our 4th visit to Paris, We've done most of the tourist things , saw ballet at the Opera Garnier, ate at some famous restaurants, Mont Saint Michelle, Loire Valley. My husband thinks 4 more nights will not be as interesting as before and wants to spend 1 or 2 of these nights at another part of France. I don't want to do Nice or Cannes, so where should I go, we are really a big museum and sightseeing people. Any ideas please!

Christina

France is a big country, there are ten zillion places you could go, but you should go to a place you have some interest in. Can't you read a general guidebook to France, even skim it, and get an idea of the areas and see which might appeal to you? I don't blame your husband for wanting to see something different, but you guys have to exert a little effort. Why Cannes out of all the places in France as an example is unusual.

Try thinking about Toulouse, MOntpellier, Provence, Lyon, Dijon or Strasbourg for starters.

Lexma90

I've gone through this with my husband, too. I always want to spend more time in cities than he does, even though he loves them (especially Paris and Rome). But if you're only there (wherever "there" is) for 5 days, 4 nights, you don't have a lot of time to go many other places in France.

In addition to Christina's list, an overnight in Normandy, or if you have more than 2 days, time in the Dordogne, Normandy or Brittany.

Gretchen

Let's see, we've been more than 10 times, and STILL spend days in Paris. It's more than the sights/sites to us, I guess.
You've done the Orangerie since it reopened.

jill777

I am thinking Montpellier, Provence, or Lyon, I have already been to Mont Blanc area so don't want to repeat there, which of the above 3 is more of a tourist area, which we prefer.

mamcalice

When are you going? With only a couple of days, Lyon would be nice - you need more time for Provence.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Provence is the biggest tourist area of the 3 places you mentioned. The TGV from Paris to Avignon takes 3 hours. It is the best place in the area from which to do day trips as it is sort of the train and bus hub in this region. You can take the train from here to Nimes or Arles. If you won't have a car you may consider doing a tour with a company that can get you to places that trains and buses won't. Perhaps a wine tour. You could also rent a car for the day.

With such a short time in Paris how about day trips from Paris. There are loads of interesting places to see within even 1 hour of Paris that are all reachable by train. Here is a short list: Compiègne, Fontainebleau, Provins, Sens, Chantilly, Senlis, Reims or Chartres (just to name a few). A little further by train would be Honfleur (in Normandy) with the train bringing you to Deauville and then take a bus to Honfleur.

If you are doing more than just day trips from Paris you may find it easier to get around by car after taking a train to your destination. Especially if you are going into countryside locations or want to see small villages, which have limited public transport options.

With only 4 nights to spend in France if you have been to Paris before why not just spend all 4 nights in Provence. You will barely scratch the surface of this region in 4 nights. I think you could be wasting your limited and valuable vacation time traveling and having to deal with your luggage and checking in and out of hotels. Just a thought.