Cavangal

I planned visiting Dordogne using public transportation but was discouraged because of few buses, taxis so decided to change my route.

My flight arrives Bordeaux before noon and can get TGV direct service to Paris. This will work out cheaper than booking new flight or paying to change my reservation. Have been to Paris few times but not recently. Booked hotel for 4 nights to enjoy walking in city, visit to museums and might take a day trip to Rouen. Any other day trip not too far from Paris? Have visited Normandy Beaches so will not include stop there this trip.

Would like some suggestions as I continue journey going south from Paris. Considering visit to Lyon as have not been to that city. Looks like there are nice scenic areas worth a visit. Is Lyon a good choice for overnight stop? Which area of Lyon is preferred for hotel and not too far from train? Will try to get on early morning train from Paris and leave from Lyon early evening next day. Any more suggestions on places to include as I travel towards Toulouse. Will have 3 more days and could spend 2 days enjoying Toulouse area if that would be best choice.
Looking forward to hearing from members if there are places not be missed. Thank you

Christina

I think the Dordogne is not really an area visited well without a car. I'm sure there are taxis there, but depends what you want to do.

If you are coming from US, you might consider just staying in Bordeaux a few days. I found it a pleasant city for a short time, and you'd get over jet lag. So then you'd see another place. It was just as interesting to me, or more, than many of the day trips you can do from Paris. Hotels are probably cheaper, also. I can recommend a hotel near the center so you can just walk around from there or take the trams or buses). In fact, I took a bus to the airport from it as that bus stop was only a block from the hotel. I took a taxi from the train station, which isn't far. The tram may go there, also, I just wanted to make it easy on arrival.

But if you've already booked your hotel and want to move on, there are many possible day trips from Paris, people talk about them all the time on Fodors. If you want more than just, for example, Monet's gardens at Giverny, in addition to Rouen, you can go to Troyes, Auxerre, or even Reims or Angers or Brussels for the day by TGV (I have done all). For some place not as big as those, there is Chantilly or Auvers-sur-Oise, for example, or of course, Fontainebleau.

Yes, Lyon is a good choice. For only one day, I think you should stay in the dead center, of course (between the rivers), within walking distance of some good restaurants and also the old town and city hall. It's a short taxi ride to either train station (Perrache or Part-Vieux). Last time I stayed at the Hotel Mercure Beaux Arts which was a perfect location.

You don't really have time to fit in more places IMO, you are only in Lyon one day and then have 3 more days, which includes time in Toulouse. At most you could stop in one place on the way to Toulouse for one day, at least spend 2 days in Toulouse, or why bother even going there? It's pretty far away to just go there for only one day. You could just omit Lyon and spend a couple days in some other place in-between Paris and Toulouse, of course, depends where you most want to see. You don't have to do some overnight stop at all for time reasons, you can get from Paris down to Avignon or Marseille in only a few hours.

Cathinjoetown

Are you flying back from Bordeaux? If not, it might make sense to go to Toulouse first, then circle east and north to Paris.

If your return flight is from Bordeaux, then it doesn't matter.

Cavangal

Thanks for responses. Flight arrives Bordeaux. I've been there many times and enjoyed the city tour offered by tourist office then walked all over city crossing the bridge, so will not be staying in Bordeaux.

TGV gets me to Paris in 3 hrs. which might be faster than connecting flight and less hassle. I visited Avignon and Montpellier which were great. I looked at map and there are several routes south from Paris so thought since I have not been to Lyon it might offer more. I was lucky finding hotel in Paris with weekend offer so will enjoy walking around center then a day trip. I like going to new places. Plan to leave Paris early morning, could stay 2 nights if there is enough to see or just one night plus half day and if there is something I could include or take a bus ride to spend a few hours it might be easier without pulling my luggage. Haven't been to Marseille but not sure of distance. Will check map to see the areas you suggested for trips.
I have a flight out TLS to Dublin before return to JFK. If I have enough time will to down to Lourdes as my flight leaves after 3pm. Greatly appreciate the above suggestions.

Christina

That's a good question, I didn't even think this this would be a RT to/from Bordeaux as it isn't a typical itinerary, I assumed one was leaving from Toulouse. You can get from Toulouse to Bordeaux by train in only 2 hrs, though. I would not risk taking the train the day of my flight though, but some people do if their flight is afternoon. Usually if you are doing connecting flights I guess the 3 days are before the departure day, though, wherever it is. Usually flights to the US, which I think is where the OPS is going, would have to leave very early in the morning from Bordeaux in order to make a connection in Paris or London.

Cathinjoetown

Okay, your route now makes a bit more sense.

If you mean going to Lourdes the day of your flight, no way. Well, no practical way.

Cavangal

Arrive Bordeaux late morning, train to Paris 4 nights. Get some sleep then enjoy city, plus new adventures to see new places if weather is fine.

One or 2 nights in Lyon, might be able to get a late train to Toulouse and if I stay only 1 night in Lyon maybe overnight in TLS and take a morning train to Lourdes. Get early train back to TLS and jump on bus to airport. My flight leaves after 3pm so should have no hassle and will have my boarding pass in hand.

I'll be in Ireland for 6 nights and leave from Dublin. I might need a vacation when I get home, but I enjoy it. Anything else will be appreciated.