anjun

We plan on a two week trip to France first weeks of August. We will be 5 people. We are flying in and out of Paris. I'm a bit stumped in what to see and what to do on a later trip. We don't like to rush around and try to see the whole country. I was thinking 4 days in Paris, 4 days in Provence (staying in Aix), and the rest in the Riviera. Staying in Nice and doing day trips from there. Please advise if this is a good plan. We like to see beautiful landscapes, visit castles, good food. And do some walks.

DebitNM

Is this your first trip to these destinations? If so, I would spend more time in Paris and Provence and less in Nice.

Also, I would not return to Paris to fly home; I would return from either Marseille or Nice depending on which was last place I visited. It usually cost no more to fly this way, know as multi city or open jaw.

PalenQ

Y'all going by train or car? Makes a big difference in recommendations.

I think the Avignon/Arles area is the heart of tourist Provence - so many easy day trips - best by car but also possible by trains and or buses - the Pont du Gard, Avignon and Arles themselves, Les Baux; St-Remy, Nimes and on and on.

TGVs Paris to Avignon in about 3 hours all told.

Aix is a nice city too but does not offer as many easy and famous day trips from it - would need a car I think to do that from there.

But stop for a half-day when taking trains between Avignon and Nice.

Nice and the Riviera you can spend weeks exploring by public transit - no car needed - Antibes - Cannes - iconic hill towns like Vence and St-Paul-de-Vence - Grasse a neat regional city known for perfume factories - Monaco for the novelty - Eze for the views and even into Italy a bit is easy by trains that trundle along the coast from St Raphael - Cannes - Nice- Monaco - Ventimiglia, Italy. Nice is very nice too for a large city butmany like basing in smaller cute towns like Antibes, etc.

For lots on French trains check www.voyages-sncf.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Book long-distance TGVs in advance to get nifty discounts.

Christina

I think it's a fine plan, except for the end point. I agree, flying home from Paris doesn't make sense when you are in Nice. Nice is a major city and has a big airport, you can fly from there. Yes, I know the flight may connect in Paris, but that is better than taking the train back to Paris or something, which is a very long trip.

I like Aix and you can do day trips from there, it just isn't quite a central as some place north of the Durance river. You would probably want a car, but then you'd want to stay on the outskirts probably due to parking considerations. You can, in fact, do some day trips by train from there if you really don't want to rent a car, such as to Arles or Avignon.

Whathello

Riviera will be jam packed with tourists. No prob but roads are awfully congested.

PalenQ

Roads were gridlocked day and night when I was there - French Riviera area- I was driving but took the train to get around.

Both Provence and the Nice area are one of the most visited tourist areas in Europe in August- everyplace will be mobbed - book in advance right now!

spaarne

<i>Two weeks in France
Posted by: anjun on Apr 26, 16 at 1:20pm
We plan on a two week trip to France first weeks of August.</i>

You picked prime time for the south of France. All the Parisians will be there. Paris will be primarily tourists.

For a more laid back ambiance see the Loire Valley, the castle district of France. It is quite amazing.

Another good bet for hassle free touring is Burgundy. Dijon and Beaune are very nice, and have the best food and wine in France, reasonably priced.

anjun

Thank you all for your replies. It's great information. Unfortunately we already booked our return from Paris.
I was thinking of taking the train from Paris to Nice spend time there then train to Provence or Loire Valley. So it is better to stay in Avignon, centrally? Any good websites for renting gites? Or a good place to stay in Nice? Thanks so much for taking the time to give information.

DebitNM

Gites normally rent for stays of a week, usually Sat to Sat. or multiple weeks.

anjun

Would it be good to take day trip to Loire Valley from Paris?

Iwan2go

We rented an apartment in Nice from Nice Pebbles, and I can highly recommend their portfolio. It was great to stay in a large space, go shopping for simple things and eat breakfast and a few dinners in.

traveller1959

Côte d'Azur:

August is peak season on the Côte d'Azur, so (1) much of accomodation is already fully booked, (2) many hotels, gîtes, apartments require a minimum stay of one week from Saturday to Saturday, (3) the prices are up, (4) the beautiful scenic coastal roads are often congested, (5) the beautiful beaches in the small coves are crowded, (6) it is hard to find parking. Also, it can be pretty hot in August.

I love the Côte d'Azur - but I would not go there in August.

Daytrip to Loire from Paris:

Technically, you can do a daytrip to the Loire from Paris. The TGV from Paris-Montparnasse to St-Pierre-des-Corps near Tours takes 59 minutes.

At the station, I would take a rental car, so you can drive to castles in the area. With a car, you will be able to visit Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry (gardens) and Chenonceaux in one day. Also, Amboise is in reach, if you leave Paris early and ride back late.

Base in Provence:

I always suggest Arles or St. Remy as bases in the Provence. Both are charming, smallish towns which are centrally located. Arles has spectacular archeology in walking distance.

I would not stay in Avignon because you will have some hassle to drive out of the city and into the city each day. However, I recommend a half-day trip to Avignon to visit the Palace of the Popes and for a look of Pont St. Benezet.

bilboburgler

I might even head north to Britanny or Normandy at that time of year, Alsace and Champagne as fall backs. Once you've roasted in Avignon for a few days go up north for a cooler time.

StCirq

Yes, technically you can do a daytrip from Paris to the Loire, but it certainly wouldn't be my idea of any fun at all.

anjun

Thank you again for the great information. Traveller, that is all great advice. My son would be disappointed if we didn't see the Riviera. I'll have to see about skipping that part of France.

traveller1959

>> My son would be disappointed if we didn't see the Riviera. <<

Then do it, maybe even as a daytrip. Driving time from Aix to Cannes is just 1:30. Drive from Aix to Cannes, walk along the famous Croisette, peep into the lobby of the Carlton, have a drink in a café at the yacht harbour. Then drive the incredibly scenic coastal road to Saint Raphael.

Go swimming in Cannes (white, sandy beach, but crowded - go swimming at the eastern edge of the beach where you can drop your towel and swim without paying anything), or at Plage du Camp Long just after Agay (romantic cove with red sand) or at the silvery-white fine sandy beach of Saint Aygulf before driving back.

This would be the best of Côte d'Azur in one day.

PalenQ

Trains also go from Aix TGV station to Cannes if you decide to not have or use a car that day - they go to Nice too but Cannes is the essence of The French Riviera and the best sandy beaches - few women topless anymore however vs not long ago when most women of all ages were. France is becoming more conservative in this regards.

Tulips

If you want to go to the Cote d'Azur and can only go in August, then go. Nice is a large city, not just tourists. Actually the locals will probably be on holiday somewhere else. You can visit Cannes, Antibes, Monaco by train (road traffic is pretty bad in summer).

It will be warm, you will have to book restaurants and probably beach chairs too. There will be lots of tourists, but most of those will be French.

anjun

Great advise all. I think I like the train idea from Aix to Cannes. Once there how best to get around?

anjun

Just re read PalenQ's post about public trains in the Riviera.