France for Six Weeks
May 21st, 2015, 04:26 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
France for Six Weeks
Hi Everyone!
Currently planning 6 weeks in France flying into Bordeaux late October, and returning from Paris early December.
Ready to reserve and commit to lodging for the itinerary below. As of now, I will be traveling alone in the beginning with my husband joining at midpoint.
Bordeaux 6 days
Toulouse 7 days
Lyon 7 days
Dijon 4 days
Strausbourg 4 days
Riquewihr 7 days
Paris 7 days
I am having second thoughts about Bordeaux, and wondering if I should just go directly to Toulouse and find another stop(s) in between. I have not been to the Loire Valley or Provence and do not think it would be fun to do Dordogne by myself in November.
Anyone have a great time in Bordeaux!? Thank you for any feedback!
Currently planning 6 weeks in France flying into Bordeaux late October, and returning from Paris early December.
Ready to reserve and commit to lodging for the itinerary below. As of now, I will be traveling alone in the beginning with my husband joining at midpoint.
Bordeaux 6 days
Toulouse 7 days
Lyon 7 days
Dijon 4 days
Strausbourg 4 days
Riquewihr 7 days
Paris 7 days
I am having second thoughts about Bordeaux, and wondering if I should just go directly to Toulouse and find another stop(s) in between. I have not been to the Loire Valley or Provence and do not think it would be fun to do Dordogne by myself in November.
Anyone have a great time in Bordeaux!? Thank you for any feedback!
May 21st, 2015, 04:52 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your itinerary adds up to 6 weeks with no allowance for travel between towns, so I'm assuming you are not driving a car. Yet 7 days in little old Riquewihr assumes you'll be spending time exploring the Alsace wine road, which will require a car. Are you hiring one locally for that section?
It's an interesting itinerary: all cities, apart from Riquewihr. If the wine region is the rationale for this exception, you might want to consider something similar in the Bordeaux region: instead of Bordeaux, settle in Saint-Emilion for 6 days, hire a car, and explore all the wine villages in the area. Just a thought!
It's an interesting itinerary: all cities, apart from Riquewihr. If the wine region is the rationale for this exception, you might want to consider something similar in the Bordeaux region: instead of Bordeaux, settle in Saint-Emilion for 6 days, hire a car, and explore all the wine villages in the area. Just a thought!
May 21st, 2015, 05:11 PM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would subtract a few days from Bordeaux, add a day to Dijon, eliminate Riquewihr, and add a day or two to Strasbourg. Then add all days remaining to Paris - which is wonderful in late November/early Dec with all the Christmas decorations.
I assume you'll visit Albi and perhaps Carcassonne by train from Toulouse, Beaune by train from Dijon, and Colmar from Strasbourg.
No car needed.
Stu Dudley
I assume you'll visit Albi and perhaps Carcassonne by train from Toulouse, Beaune by train from Dijon, and Colmar from Strasbourg.
No car needed.
Stu Dudley
May 21st, 2015, 09:04 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you twoflower and Stu.
Yes, I was considering hiring a car for the Alsace Wine Road and sites in that area. Trains everywhere else.
Will cut a few days from Bordeaux as suggested and adjust others as needed. Colmar's Christmas market opens November 20, and Strasbourg's November 27, and Riquewihr's November 28, so I have my own logic for wanting to stay in Riquewihr. Dijon looks like a fabulous city - never considered it before until researching for this trip.
Am definitely taking a day to Saint-Emilion. Albi's Saint-Cecilia Cathedral is my favorite cathedral and it will be a repeat visit as well as Carcassonne. But never have done Toulouse (only used airport but husband and I got very lost in the dark with broken GPS driving from Albi to hotel near airport for early flight).
This is going to be a great trip! Thanks!
Yes, I was considering hiring a car for the Alsace Wine Road and sites in that area. Trains everywhere else.
Will cut a few days from Bordeaux as suggested and adjust others as needed. Colmar's Christmas market opens November 20, and Strasbourg's November 27, and Riquewihr's November 28, so I have my own logic for wanting to stay in Riquewihr. Dijon looks like a fabulous city - never considered it before until researching for this trip.
Am definitely taking a day to Saint-Emilion. Albi's Saint-Cecilia Cathedral is my favorite cathedral and it will be a repeat visit as well as Carcassonne. But never have done Toulouse (only used airport but husband and I got very lost in the dark with broken GPS driving from Albi to hotel near airport for early flight).
This is going to be a great trip! Thanks!
May 21st, 2015, 11:41 PM
#6
While Bordeaux can be a great big shopping mall it does have the benefits of the Opera and other entertainment features. As well as St E there is Bergerac(quiet after the tourists have gone) or Rochefort( a little sleepy perhaps) to consider. There is a lot to do around Bordeaux area but it all requires travel, you could even pop up to La Rochelle and Ile de Re or Oleron.
If you want to base on the Loire then Saumur might be a little small, Angers maybe fits the bill nicely. You could use the train to go up and down the valley if you wanted a break from a car.
October a little late for bike touring but certainly for a day out.
I can understand the idea of Strasbourg as a base but it is a pain of a distance from the better vinyards in the south of Alsace. Colmar is again a little dull for 7 so I might limit Riquewihr to 4 days or so.
If you want to base on the Loire then Saumur might be a little small, Angers maybe fits the bill nicely. You could use the train to go up and down the valley if you wanted a break from a car.
October a little late for bike touring but certainly for a day out.
I can understand the idea of Strasbourg as a base but it is a pain of a distance from the better vinyards in the south of Alsace. Colmar is again a little dull for 7 so I might limit Riquewihr to 4 days or so.
May 22nd, 2015, 12:35 AM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your itinerary looks a bit strange to me: You have plenty of time and you will spend most of it in cities, neglecting the beautiful French countryside.
Let's start with Bordeaux. No doubt, Bordeaux is a fine city, but it is not big and, frankly said, after a day you have seen most of it. The true gems are outside the city limits: the wineries of the Médoc with their spectacular chateaux, the beautiful Côte d'Argent - the silver coast - with Europe's tallest dune in Pyla, the oyster bay of Arcachon... - I am afraid you need a car to see all this.
Next thing: On the way from Bordeaux to Toulouse, you may visit the Dordogne. The main attraction in the Dordogne region are the caves, among them Peche Merle with spectacular prehistoric paintings. For me, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to visit such a cave and it is doubtful if it will still be possible in the future (since most of the prehistoric caves have been closed for the public). Besides the caves, Sarlat is a most picturesque historic town, and the river Dordogne itsself is charming.
Then you want to spend a full week in Lyon. From Lyon, it is a stone's throw to the Provence, IMO the most interesting region in France, because it is full of both Roman and mediaval history. You find the world's best preserved Roman ruins here, including two amphitheatres in Nîmes and Arles. Again, you need a car for that.
Same with Bourgogne. Personally, I favour Beaune over Dijon, and we usually stay not in a city but in a charming castle hotel in the countryside to explore the wine villages of Bourgogne.
I would also stay in a wine village in Alsace. Riquewihr is very picturesque and very touristy. There is a plethora of beautiful hotels in other beautiful but quieter villages in the region.
You get the idea? Most attractions are in the countryside, not in the cities (exept, of course, Paris).
Let's start with Bordeaux. No doubt, Bordeaux is a fine city, but it is not big and, frankly said, after a day you have seen most of it. The true gems are outside the city limits: the wineries of the Médoc with their spectacular chateaux, the beautiful Côte d'Argent - the silver coast - with Europe's tallest dune in Pyla, the oyster bay of Arcachon... - I am afraid you need a car to see all this.
Next thing: On the way from Bordeaux to Toulouse, you may visit the Dordogne. The main attraction in the Dordogne region are the caves, among them Peche Merle with spectacular prehistoric paintings. For me, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to visit such a cave and it is doubtful if it will still be possible in the future (since most of the prehistoric caves have been closed for the public). Besides the caves, Sarlat is a most picturesque historic town, and the river Dordogne itsself is charming.
Then you want to spend a full week in Lyon. From Lyon, it is a stone's throw to the Provence, IMO the most interesting region in France, because it is full of both Roman and mediaval history. You find the world's best preserved Roman ruins here, including two amphitheatres in Nîmes and Arles. Again, you need a car for that.
Same with Bourgogne. Personally, I favour Beaune over Dijon, and we usually stay not in a city but in a charming castle hotel in the countryside to explore the wine villages of Bourgogne.
I would also stay in a wine village in Alsace. Riquewihr is very picturesque and very touristy. There is a plethora of beautiful hotels in other beautiful but quieter villages in the region.
You get the idea? Most attractions are in the countryside, not in the cities (exept, of course, Paris).
May 22nd, 2015, 08:52 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,856
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't (recommend a lot of countryside in November) but I don't prefer Beaune to Dijon, either. Depends on your interests, that's all. I am not interested in touring wineries, etc., or spending a lot of time in villages where there is rarely anything to do except look at them. I think that's fine for a bit if you want.
I spent a couple days in Bordeaux and didn't get to see everything I wanted, there is certainly more to see there than what you can see in one day. However, I wouldn't spend 6 days there. I wasn't going into the wine countryside, however, if there are thoughts of that, that adds on.
Given how much time is available, I also find the itinerary odd in ignoring southern France even though I presume one ios going from Toulouse through it to get to Lyon. There really isn't a good rail route that just goes east-west between them, you have to go down through Montpellier and up through Avignon, I believe. SO I would take some days away from Bordeaux and Lyon and given them to Montpellier and Marseille, at least, or AVignon.
From Toulouse, you could also visit Narbonne as a day trip, I raelly liked it (Charles Trenet is from there), as well as ALbi and Carcassonne.
YOu do not need a car to visit Arles or Nimes, either, both are right on the rail line.
I spent a couple days in Bordeaux and didn't get to see everything I wanted, there is certainly more to see there than what you can see in one day. However, I wouldn't spend 6 days there. I wasn't going into the wine countryside, however, if there are thoughts of that, that adds on.
Given how much time is available, I also find the itinerary odd in ignoring southern France even though I presume one ios going from Toulouse through it to get to Lyon. There really isn't a good rail route that just goes east-west between them, you have to go down through Montpellier and up through Avignon, I believe. SO I would take some days away from Bordeaux and Lyon and given them to Montpellier and Marseille, at least, or AVignon.
From Toulouse, you could also visit Narbonne as a day trip, I raelly liked it (Charles Trenet is from there), as well as ALbi and Carcassonne.
YOu do not need a car to visit Arles or Nimes, either, both are right on the rail line.
May 22nd, 2015, 09:02 AM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>Toulouse ....... to get to Lyon. There really isn't a good rail route that just goes east-west between them<<
Toulouse to Lyon
leave 10:49 arrive 14:52
Leave 14:49 arrive 18:51
Leave 17:44 arrive 21:53
no train changes
many other departures with 1 train change.
Stu Dudley
Toulouse to Lyon
leave 10:49 arrive 14:52
Leave 14:49 arrive 18:51
Leave 17:44 arrive 21:53
no train changes
many other departures with 1 train change.
Stu Dudley
May 22nd, 2015, 09:44 AM
#11
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>this trip starts in late October. Do you still recommend the countryside at that time of year?<<<
Of course - it is time of the wine harvest. There will be a lot of wine-fests and activities in the villages, especially in Bourgogne and Alsace (not so much in the Bordelais).
Provence will be beautiful in October - mild and warm and sunny.
Of course - it is time of the wine harvest. There will be a lot of wine-fests and activities in the villages, especially in Bourgogne and Alsace (not so much in the Bordelais).
Provence will be beautiful in October - mild and warm and sunny.
May 22nd, 2015, 10:10 AM
#12
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have a family home about an hour from the Bordeaux area-so we spend lots of time there. That time of year can be tricky-there are lots of great places all around the Bordeaux area as were mentioned-the beach areas, the Ger, the Dordogne-all of the southwest. But whether you want to be there, and whether you want city or countryside really depends that time of year on weather and how you feel about being out in it. September is usually much more reliable and fun to be out in the countryside that October on.
We have spent many Octobers driving from Bordeaux to southern Spain-Seville, etc. to get sun and just enjoy Spain. We have spent November, December at our beach place and it is usually in the 40's and windy and some rain and very few people except for retired folks-off season beach like much of the US is that time of year too. Me personally, I would rather be in a city. With that much time, I would be tempted to stay longer in a couple nice cities like Bordeaux and Toulouse and minimize the countryside visits to a couple of nights on the drive in between. But I am more of a city girl anyway.
<<Anyone have a great time in Bordeaux!?>>
We spent 6 weeks here last year and are considering buying an apartment there. It is an accessible size, lot of good restaurants and great access to some great parts of France. We have investigated all of the cities on your list and they are all great-we like the southwest and it is probably one of the "hottest" areas to buy in right now, but honestly, most of the cities you mention are all great. I think your experience will be fun in each of them. Logistically, they all have the advantage of being kind of of a "mini-Paris". All the advantages of Paris in some ways and less hassle getting around on transport, etc. I lived in Paris 6 years and love it, but now I am really appreciating what just slightly smaller cities have to offer.
We have spent many Octobers driving from Bordeaux to southern Spain-Seville, etc. to get sun and just enjoy Spain. We have spent November, December at our beach place and it is usually in the 40's and windy and some rain and very few people except for retired folks-off season beach like much of the US is that time of year too. Me personally, I would rather be in a city. With that much time, I would be tempted to stay longer in a couple nice cities like Bordeaux and Toulouse and minimize the countryside visits to a couple of nights on the drive in between. But I am more of a city girl anyway.
<<Anyone have a great time in Bordeaux!?>>
We spent 6 weeks here last year and are considering buying an apartment there. It is an accessible size, lot of good restaurants and great access to some great parts of France. We have investigated all of the cities on your list and they are all great-we like the southwest and it is probably one of the "hottest" areas to buy in right now, but honestly, most of the cities you mention are all great. I think your experience will be fun in each of them. Logistically, they all have the advantage of being kind of of a "mini-Paris". All the advantages of Paris in some ways and less hassle getting around on transport, etc. I lived in Paris 6 years and love it, but now I am really appreciating what just slightly smaller cities have to offer.
May 22nd, 2015, 10:39 AM
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We spent 2 weeks in Beaujolais and 2 in Burgundy during the first 4 weeks of September a few years ago. Both times we stayed in Gites, and were surrounded by vineyards. Everything was harvested by the time we left the area. We actually saw them doing it outside our window. In 1999 we stayed in a gite in Provence for the last week in Sept/1st of Oct near Vaison. The harvest was going strong in Sept. Jane will probably hit Burgundy about the second or third week of November. The harvest will be well over by then.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
