schnauzer

This is a bit of a woolly question..sorry. I am travelling to France (and UK) in June.. I have six nights in Cote d'Azure and have three nights before I meet friends in Paris for four nights before touring around Normandy and the Loire. I have decided for these three nights I don't want to rent a car... I am tossing up with staying in Nimes and visiting Arles as well for the three nights or perhaps heading back to Paris and investigating the surrounding outer suburbs. I have stayed for several weeks in Paris so don't feel the need to spend more than the four nights with my friends.

I like wandering around interesting suburbs/villages, looking at architecture, houses, ducking into interesting shops, walking along the riverside etc... I've spent the day in St Germain en Laye but wondered whether around Marly le Roi would fit the bill? Any Paris locals or others who have perhaps done the same thing could comment or make some suggestions. The other thoughts were perhaps around Provins or Senlis but not sure whether three nights would be too much for these areas. I'll have two full days and at least another half... Didn't want particularly to have one night here and there due to having luggage and checkout in the morning etc.

Any ideas would be welcome, I very flexible for these three nights...even considered another country but thought it best to stay in France in case of strikes...been caught before..

WoinParis

Senlis and Provins are great and don't take more than a daytrip. If you have extra time, you can visit the Cathedral of Saint Denis, superb.

Arles and Nimes are superb.

FuryFluffy

Both options are nice, but if it was me, I would probably spend time in Nimes and Arles. That region is just very different from Paris suburb. The arena of Nimes, the best preserved Roman amphitheatre still in exist, is like a magnet to me.

fuzzbucket

Nimes and Arles, no question.

bvlenci

We stayed in Nîmes for four nights, without a car, and I can highly recommend it. We visited Avignon, by train, one day, and the Pont du Gard, by bus, another day. The Pont du Gard is in a lovely spot. Allow yourself time to take a walk.

StuDudley

Were you considering Provins & Senlis as a place to stay for 3 nights?. We've visited both & I think they are just a 1/4 day visit. I would be bored in 3 nights/2 days.

I'm not a big fan of Nimes. I think Avignon & Aix are much more interesting.

If someone asked me where to stay between the Cote d'Azur and Paris - which would complement both of these starting & ending locations - I would choose either Lyon or Dijon. Lyon would keep you busy your entire time. In Dijon it is an easy day-trip to Beaune. Wonderful architecture in both cities. Don't miss the traboules in Lyon.
https://www.francetoday.com/archives/lyon_s_traboules/

Stu Dudley

schnauzer

Thanks for the replies... I have already spent several days in Aix and surrounds as well as Lyon, I was only there a couple of years ago but agree great spots. I did consider Dijon as I haven't been there for a while but it is a 7 hour train ride from Nice and that put me off to be honest. I haven't looked at flying ...will investigate that.

Pont du Gard would have to be one of my 'wow' places to visit, I loved it.

I'm lucky I have already been to so many places in France, usually I have a car but for some reason I am fed up driving around by myself and wanted to try something different.

Nobody seems to like my Marly le Roi idea! I've already spent about three months in Paris and have seen so much.. Lucky me I say...

Anymore ideas or comments are welcome.. Is a day or half day trip from Nimes to Uzes possible by bus, well I think it is but has anyone actually done it and thought it a good idea?

Christina

I would also go with Nimes/Arles or something down there, anyway.

I have not gone from Nimes to Uzes by bus for the day, when I was in that area I had a car; when I didn't, I didn't go to Uzes (where I stayed several days). But yes, you can do it, I think the bus takes around 45 minutes or so. Some guy on Fodors was inquiring about that not too long ago and I gave bus links. I think perhaps he/she came back and reported how it went, I'll see if I can find that thread.

I don't understand your comment about how Dijon is a 7 hr train ride from Nice--you are going to have to go in that direction anyway. Perhaps you just meant that's too much all in one day. I sort of agree with that, actually. I hate long transportation like that, the only time I do it is what I have to (like flight to Europe).

Christina

voila!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...mes-by-bus.cfm

StuDudley

There is a direct train to Dijon that departs at 7:23 & arrives at 13:59. So you don't loose much of a day as long as you can get up in time to catch the 7:23. There is also a 12:22 departure - but that is smack in the middle of the day. Then it's only 1 3/4 hrs to Paris.

Train transit time:
Nice to Dijon to Paris - 8 hr 10 mins
Nice to Nimes to Paris - 7 to 7 1/2 hrs. With a train change between Nice & Nimes.

Stu Dudley

fuzzbucket

Other than the parc and the chateau where the Count of Monte Cristo was written, there's not much to do in Marly le Roi.
I'd investigate Nimes and Arles - they are not too far apart and can be seen in a day or two.

Michael

You might be interested in this trip report and the one that preceded it:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-de-france.cfm

Coquelicot

I saw a TV show in the Carnets de Julie cooking series called Les bords de Marne and it looked like an absolutely lovely area. You can watch it on youtube and see if it grabs you.

schnauzer

Thanks Christina and Mike for the further help. Yes, I meant 7 hours in one day was too much...

I've looked at Michael's link and that is exactly what I'm talking about....it really does appeal to me..

Decision time...

Coquelicot I'll look for that show, thanks.