InMiami

We will be traveling to France for just over two weeks in May. We spent 10 days in Paris a year ago and loved it.

Now we would like to spend a week in Paris and go on to explore other parts of France. If we choose the Loire Valley we will rent a car in Paris and travel from there.

If we choose Provence I will arrange to fly into Avignon and then do a 7 day stopover in Paris on our return to Miami. From Avignon we will rent a car.

We love museums, architecture, history, nature, just about all aspects of travel. What is your learned suggestion?

StuDudley

I think a week in the Loire would be about 2-3 days too long. A week in Provence would be 5 weeks too short.

Ignoring the chateaux, the Loire is perhaps my least favorite tourist destination in France. I really don't think it's that scenic compared to other regions in France. Some people get chateaued-out after about 5 and some can hang in there much longer (I'm the latter). If you can do 3-4 a day for 7 days, then 7 days is fine.

We've spent 16 weeks in Provence, and going back for 3 more next year.

Take the 3 hr TGV to/from Avignon - don't fly. There are many daily departures from Paris and CDG airport. This is really a no-brainer. Also, don't drive from Avignon to Paris. It's long, boring, not that scenic, and costly. The train is actually more scenic, IMO. PREM fares one-way are usually around 45E per person.

Stu Dudley

traveller1959

Which is better, a symphony by Beethoven or a fugue by Bach?

Both regions are very attractive destinations, and I recommend both. It is a matter of taste which one you choose. Here some comments that may help:

- Loire valley: Expect mellow landscape, with broad, gentle rivers slowing flowing through meadows and vineyards. Climate will be mild in May. The main attraction is the abundance of gorgeous castles in the Loire valley. At least two dozens of castles are worth visiting. (We once spent two full weeks in the Loire valley and, unlike StuDudley, enjoyed every minute.) If you think, 7 days are too much for the Loire, here a two suggestions for sidetrips:
You can either go Brittany which is about 3 hours from the Loire. See the megaliths of Carnac, beautiful coastline on Quiberon peninsula, the nice town of Pont-Aven (Gaugin), quaint Concarneau. Stay overnight somewhere.
Or you drive down to Bordeaux, which is about 3 1/2 hours from the Loire. See some of Europe's most spectacular coastline (near Arcachon), visit the famous vineyards (at least in Medoc, again chateaux), visit the city of Bordeaux.

- Provence: Landscape in Provence is more arid and more dramatic than in the Loire valley. Expect a warmer climate and bright sunshine in May. An abundance of Roman ruins, all kinds: amphitheaters, theaters, temples, aquaeducts, mansions, whatever, well-preserved and many of them in better condition than in Rome itsself. In Avignon, the medieval Pope's palace. The Camargue with flamingos and horses.

For me, both destinations are very different, but equally attractive. Hard to decide. But in any case: do not combine them. You need a couple of days for each destination.

InMiami

Stu, I will be flying with points so all airline flights will be "free". This may push my trip from May 08 to May 09 depending on availability. In essence we will be flying from Miami to Avignon and back. We can fly into any southern French city that Air France serves. Any suggestion as to where to start? On the way back we connect in Paris and this connection is extended one week. In this way the airline pays for our flight from Paris to Provence and back.

traveller1959, I understand your point, it is like choosing between an apple and a pear. I was born in the Boston area and still love the green, lush hillsides of that area. I have also done an auto trip in both Italy and Spain and fondly remember those more Mediterranean terrains. Loire would be easier and would not require a connection to Provence. Also, the travel guides warn of the risk of car break ins in Provence, an issue that plagued us in Spain. I would just like to make a more informed decision.

TuckH

Inasmuch as
a) this is a two week trip and
b) you're committed to a week in Paris,
I'd suggest the Loire.

There's more to the Loire than the chateaux (nice towns, L'Abbeye de Fontrevaud, etc) and 7 days would be appropriate IMO.

You certainly wouldn't do justice to the Provence in those 7 days. So why not save it for another trip - one exclusively dedicated to the Provence?

traveller1959

So, why don't you drive to the Loire?

(Consider an extension either to Brittany or to the Bordelais)

StuDudley

We've spent 32 weeks in Provence & Cote d'Azur and never had anybody break into our car. We've also spent approx 40 weeks in other regions of France, and no break-ins. Don't plan your itinerary on protecting your car.

Provence will be quite lush in May.

Traveller - we've enjoyed our 3-4 weeks in the Liore - we thought it was fantastic when we visited it on one of oyur first trips to France. We've returned many times, but when we started to visit other regions of France, we found the Pays Basque, Auvergne, Pyrenees, Alps, Dordogne, Quercy, Languedoc, Alsace, Ardeche, Roussillon, Brittany, Provence, & Cote d'Azur to be more scenic & interesing.

InMiami - Make sure you really want to visit 10 or so Renaissance chateaux before you spend 7 days in the Loire. If you're visiting Versailles from Paris - factor that renaissance chateau into the equasion also.

Stu Dudley

Underhill

I'm with Stu on this one, primarily Provence offers much more varied scenery and sightseeing options. The Loire Valley is essentially flat, rather like the Sacramento Valley, while Provence has mountains, the Mediterranean, and all those lovely hill towns--not to mention spectacular Roman ruins.

InMiami

If we go to the Loire we would definitely drive. But, if car security is not a big concern I am leaning towards going to Provence. Staying a week in Paris is not written in stone but I must admit that I really love that city. When is was there for 10 days I was not bored for a minute.

If I give 4 nights to Paris and 10 nights to Provence can anyone give some suggestions for an itinerary? As stated earlier we enjoy all aspects of travel by car or train. I am also quite vigorous for being middle aged so no schedule is too taxing for this travel nut!

Oscar_James

Both are special. But do each on separate trips. Visit my site for pictures and info on both emilyandjim.info. If you have futher questions send me a note from my site and i will answer. Wish we were going with you...

StuDudley

The nice part about train travel between Paris & Provence is that you can stop at many wonderful places between these two destinations for an overnignt or two on the way to/from. We've overnighted in Dijon, Beaune, Lyon, & Chambery.

If you are considering 10 days and are active travelers - consider the Riveria along with Provence. Five days in each area would give you a good taste of each. Flying into Paris & out of Nice would be perfect.

Be careful of May holidays in France when hotels get booked up early.

Do you have my 27+ page itinerary for Provence & the Cote d'Azur??? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll send you one.

Stu Dudley

tara3056

I haven't been to Provence, but May in Provence sounds lovely. I have, however, been to the Loire Valley (in May) and I would echo what Stu said about it. It really wasn't very scenic and I wished we'd gone to some other part of France. Even the chateaux were not all that fascinating to me. And 7 days in the Loire is, in my opinion, too many.

So my vote is strongly for Provence.

traveller1959

Provence is a wonderful destination. From Paris, you may either take a TGV to Avignon. The ride is just 2:40. Rent a car there.

Or you drive. Driving time is six hours, and you may stop in Burgundy for a night (my recommendation would be Beaune or a small town in the vineyars; other recommend Dijon, which is more a big city - after your stay in Paris you might favor a different place).

Anyway, in Provence, I recommend a base in the area around Avignon (including St. Remy, Arles, Les Baux etc.). From there, you can visit many interesting sites: Roman ruins in Nimes, Arles, St. Remy, Orange, Vaison-la-Romaine, Pont du Gard; medieval history in Avignon, Les Baux, Aigues-Mortes; the Camargue, abbeys, windmills, stone shelters, dramatic rock formations, sources and whatever in the area: Senanque, Fontvielle, Gordes...

Three full days would be the minimum, better four or five days.

Then drive to the Cote d'Azur. See gorgeous scenery on coastal highways, quaint villages, world-class art museums, grand mansions, famous hotels etc.

Again, at least three days, better five days. Fly back from Nice.

Would be a wonderful itenerary this time of year. Beautiful sunny weather and not too crowded. Sea will still be somewhat chilly but swimming will be possible.

But Loire is not bad either. A trip to the Loire would go like this:

Select a nice hotel. An appropriate place for the region would be a castle turned into a hotel. There are many, but we like La Tortiniere most (which is middle-priced).

Image staying in a castle located on a slope overlooking a river. Surrounded by a large park. A refreshing pool. A glass champagne on the terrace. At night walking over an ancient road, paved by the Romans. Fireflies. Wonderful French cuisine.

Daytrips to castles in the area: One in the morning, another one in the afternoon. Splendid buildings, beautiful locations, gorgeous parks, grand interiors, fascinating stories. Learn about the different architectural styles (who said renaissance only? has obviously never been in the area) A visit to the mansion where Leonardo da Vinci lived. Now a museum.

Wine tastings in the afternoons. Shopping in towns. One night, a son et lumiere show (sound and light show) in one of the castles. A concert. A boat trip on the river.

After four days, a trip to Brittany. Seeing thousands of megaliths in Carnac. Strolling along the wide sandy beach. Visiting the ancient town of Concarneau. Having fresh oysters for dinner. Visiting the place where the impressionists lived.

InMiami, I hope these descriptions help you a little more to make a decion than expressing just personal tastes.

http://www.tortiniere.com/

InMiami

Stu, thank you for the great itinerary. I have to sit down with a good map and plan it out.

Traveller1959, you raise a very interesting point. I could fly into Avignon, tour the area and then go on to Nice. From Nice I can fly open jaw back to Miami via Paris. By taking a 4 night stopover on my return to Miami, Air France will essentially be paying for my flight to Povence and back to Paris. Very good!