HG001London

ok as an absolute travel fanatic all my annual leave days for 2012 were assigned last year so have ZERO holiday to use for this....

But .....its mine and my twin sister's 30th birthday this year and thought might be nice to take BFs/family for one night (maybe two if we can get there on a friday night after work but guessing that is not happening easily!) in France for a birthday treat/nice french restaurant

I'm saying France as guessing anywhere else too far. We are happy to get up super super early for a flight/eurostar but would be nice to find a nice place to go to for that one day and night, coming back on Sunday afernoon.

But NOT paris, as we have been there loads and loads of times.

Any ideas??? is this even a good idea/worth it. Is Lille nice (ive been as a kid but cant remember anything apart from a big ferris wheel)? is there somewhere within a couple of drives that would be nice to spend a night in?

Thanks

qwovadis

hoteldelacite.com Carcassonne
lecalendal.com Arles
2 of my favs in the South.
Negresco Nice if budget is supergood
If you want to be closer to Paris look at www.Beaune.com or
Chateau D'Esclimont close to Chartres great restaurant on premises 140 euro/nt for us Venere.com in the Chateau a was truly AMAZING experience for my wife and myself.

Happy Hunting!

HG001London

Hi qwovadis...thanks for this going to check them out now, visited carcsasoone last year but am off to look at the others...thank you!

Judy

Les Crayeres or Domaine de la Haut de Loire. Think I got the spelling right but a google search should find them. Happy Birthday!

Michel_Paris

Looking for just a place to stay, place to stay and tour?
Car rental OK, or want to fly to the spot?

I was commenting on another thread about a place in the Lopire that I really liked. I happened upon it while doing a driving tour of the area.

http://www.bonlaboureur.com/

So, you would get nice rooms, above average food, small village, and famous chateau nearby.

If I had to pick a city, Lyon would be nice for a weekend. Good to execellent food, a compact Old Town and tourist area.
Can TGV from Paris.

Judy

We've also had a wonderful stay and meal at Chateau Richeux in Cancale.

Michel_Paris

http://www.lescrayeres.com/

HG001London

oh wow, did not expect so many responses!! thank u will go look and then come back

happy to drive anywhere but not too long as short time, thank u all so much

dont need to tour, if needs be just a hotel and grounds would be fine if they were a bit special

StCirq

Even with the TGV, I wouldn't go zooming off to Provence, particularly not Nice, for such a short trip. It's be 6-8 hours on trains out of a short weekend.

Nah to Lille.

For something completely different but not far from Paris, a town that has a host of cultural and historical things to see and do and that is of a very manageable size for a short trip - Rouen, which also happens to have some truly excellent dining options.

I'd recommend La Coronne, but there are lots of choices.

Michael

Ryna Air to Limoges and then a car to(from viaMichelin):

Le Moulin de la Gorce Restaurant agréable très confortable Une très bonne table dans sa catégorie
45.5869;1.25841
F - 87800 La Roche-l'Abeille
http://www.moulindelagorce.com
Distance : 27 km

The restaurant is in a beautiful setting, it has a one star rating from Michelin. We were there a couple of years ago, the food was excellent.

HG001London

Thanks StCirq, Rouen is a definite contender, i'm guessing getting eurostar to lille is best option??

Judy/Michael these also look like good choices....ooh this is going to be hard.

Thanks all....i will be back!!!

Christina

I'd suggest Dijon, it is known for its food and it's not too far by TGV from Paris. Nice small city.

Eurostar does go direct to Avignon, I don't think that would be adding on too much time, if any, compared to getting out in Paris and transferring to a train elsewhere, which could involve a wait time. La Mirande is fantastic in Avignon, you could eat there even if you didn't stay in the hotel.
http://www.la-mirande.fr/hotel-avign...e-avignon.html

denisea

Barbizon...so charming and not too far from Paris. Small, quaint and I feel in love with it!

330east

Would like to 2nd Moulin de la Gorce-great food and lodging or while you're down in that direction try Chateau de la Treyne in Souillac

klondiketoo

Ryanair to La Rochelle, one of the most beautiful, majestic old ports in France. A romantic dining experience at Coutanceau. Dreams are made of these...

http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/sea...nt/coutanceau/

Watch the video, even if you don't speak French (mainly talking about shopping daily for fresh sea food), to get an idea of the lovely beach setting. Hard to say whether we prefer lunch or dinner...lunch you have the beautiful view and watch people watching, dinner--we timed it so to watch the sunset over the water before darkness shrouded the view. Marvelous food, anytime!

AnilaB

Have you been to Bruges or Brussels? Easily accessible by Eurostar...

StCirq

I was going to suggest La Rochelle and Coutanceau as well, just thought Rouen would be closer/easier.

littlejane

The Chevre d'Or hotel in Eze - fly in to Nice

cigalechanta

In Provence, Hostellerie Crillon Le Brave.

HG001London

wow, u guys are all so helpful, i am looking through each and everyone so thank you all.

its so hard.......

Nice looks nice (!) and a real treat of a hotel and have always wanted to go to Provence!!

ok off to see flights, we are south west london so needs to be Heathrow/Gatwick....so will have to see who flies where

thanks again all ;-)