rattravlers

First trip ever to France, early September. We will fly into Paris & out of Nice; 3 nights Paris & then not sure how to split the last 5 nights with a a return flight out of Nice @ 7:15am on our last day. Ideally was hoping for a couple nights in a wine region & the remaining nights at a seaiside town convenient to Nice aiport. Prefer to self-drive once we depart Paris but would take the train if it makes more sense. What would be the most logical route & recommended stopover points?

MmePerdu

Firstly, I recommend you spend more time in Paris. Maybe 5 nights, train to the south, pick up a car for a jaunt before leaving. With just 2 full days in Paris you'll seriously short change yourself.

StCirq

Exactly what I was going to say. Your first-ever trip to France and you're going to just jump in and out of Paris? I'd rethink that and spend 5 nights, then take the TGV to Nice or environs.

ira

Hi Rat,

6 nights Paris.

Train to Nice.

Fly home.


FYI: Next time ask before you jump.

Judy

I definitely agree....not enough Paris. Your plan only really gives you 2 days. I'd go with 5 Paris and 3 Nice. I would stay in Nice and use the train to see a couple of other places.

ggreen

The direct driving route between Paris and Nice is long and basically boring. I did it once, thinking that it would be a nice way to see the countryside. And while what passes by outside the window is prettier than what you might see in the US, it's still just a highway with countryside passing by, and it takes at minimum 9 hours to do so. With only 7 days in France, that's not how I'd want to spend one of them... Take the train, or better yet *fly* from Paris to Nice, pick up a car and explore the coast.

// Before we all jump in and tell you how much there is to see and do just in Paris alone, it would be great if you can tell us what your interests are. For example, if you're really interested in wine country and don't much care for cities, you might not even want to spend 3 days in Paris but instead get a rental car and spend the week exploring the area between your arrival and departure(!).

Also, what are you looking for in a "seaside town"? Nice's beach, for example, is narrow and rocky. The Cote d'Azur is steep hills running down to the shore, though some beaches are better for sunbathing that others (and quite the scene!).

PalenQ

Drive via Vezelay (fantastic place - Google it if you do not know about this unique place - spend a few days meandering along the Burgundy Wine Road towards Provence - drive via Avignon, Aix-en-Provence area to say Antibes, lovely old town quite close to Nice airport.

Curiousaboutit

Rattraveler, I hope it is alright that I insert my interest into your thread.

My husband and I plan doing your route only with 30 more days in-between.

I would like to know more about what ggreen has to say about the seaside towns too. Specifically about where on/near the water is charming.

Thank you.

theotherside

I would at least have 5 nights in Paris, and as ira mentioned, train it to Nice on the TGV! The train ride will give you a bit of a break and will be alot cheaper and faster than driving.

Weadles

I agree with the other posts. Five nights in Paris, 3 in Nice, and I would fly from Paris to Nice to maximize your time.

mamcalice

At least 5 nights in Paris. Train to Nice. Don't rent a car, trains will work for exploring from Nice (or buses). If you had asked before buying plane tickets, I would have recommended all 8 days in and around Paris.

stokebailey

I love the French countryside in September, and don't think you can really understand Paris unless you've been out in the country.

Agree with TGV recommendation though for such a short first trip.