keb0503

we will be traveling to france next summer for 2-3 weeks with 6 & 9 yr olds. we are "slow travelers" and will be renting a house in the country somewhere. the question is where? mostly they like the pool at the house but do like short drives to small villages. in italy last summer they got car sick with the windy roads but could handle a 1/2 hr trip. they really enjoyed the old tombs, water wells, bell towers. would provence be our best bet for close day trips to see historic sites?
thank you!

cigalechanta

The weather is better in Provence but the two are so different. It's something you should decide. The food, colors, architecture, each has its own beauty.

grimmy

I think they might enjoy the castles which abound in thr Dordogne region.
A day in a canoe on the Dordogne would also be fun for them. You can get out most anywhere and picnic.
I think with children the Dordogne would be my pick.

ira

Hi keb,

The Dordogne has prehistoric caves, medieval castles, walled bastide towns, river gorges.........

Look up StCirq's trip reports.

Get a copy of "Three Rivers of France".

mamc

If you have never been to either, I suggest Provence. In the summer, you will have the opportunity to see the lavendar in bloom. Both are wonderful but somehow, Provence is more a place I think of for summer.

StCirq

Weather isn't a factor - both are hot in summer, the Dordogne perhaps a touch more humid.
Either one would make a great base. In the Dordogne you have castles, prehistoric caves, bastide towns, rivers and gorges and green rolling hills and fields of sunflowers; in Provence you have castles and abbeys, Roman ruins, and fields of sunflowers and lavendar. Beautiful villages are abundant in both as is fabulous food. Take your pick

carcassone

Never been to Dordogne but we were in Provence last month with our 12 & 10 year olds. We based in Arles and we were surprised by how flat the area is compare to Tuscany. Most of the highways were flat and straight until you get to the Luberon hill town areas. We visited Nimes, Orange, Pont du Gard, St. Remy, Les Baux; all within an hour drive. We like climbing on all the Roman ruins. My 10 year old thought the medieval ruins at Les Baux was neat. The highlight for us was kayaking beneath Pont du Gard. Even if you don't kayak, Pont du Gard has a vast picnic and swimming area and the museum has a very good hands-on area just for the kids with lots of buttons to push! We ran out of time but for castles, there is a falcon/eagle show at the Beaucaire castle which can be combined with a tour of castle Tarascon just across the Rhone.

keb0503

thank you all for the help! as i'm not going alone the desicion is not mine alone to make. we have decided on provence. i'll have to keep dordogne for next time