Hayneh

This is our first trip to France and are very excited. We are traveling with our 4 year old. Here is our itinerary (April 19 to April 29) 4 days in Paris, 3 days in Loire Valley (our hotel is in Tours), 3 days in Nice (visiting relatives/family). We are planning on renting a car in Paris, drive to Loire Valley, back to Paris, then take the train from Paris to Nice. There are no trains or flights going to Nice from Tours. We are also considering driving to Nice from Loire Valley, and perhaps stop for one night along the way. Your comments/recommendations will be appreciated.

Michael

You can take the TGV from St. Pierre des Corps (4 km. out of Tours) and transfer to train going to Nice in Marne-la-Vallée.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train

Instead of driving from Paris, go to Chartres to pick up the car and visit the cathedral at the same time. You probably can return the car at the TGV station outside Tours.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...01029366/show/

Sarastro

With a 4 year old, even without, the drive from Tours to Nice is very long. I would drive to Tours but I would probably turn the car in there (no extra charge if you avoid Hertz or Avis) and take the train to Nice. You will most likely still travel through Paris but it will probably be faster (about 8-9 hours total) to Nice than driving to Paris just to catch a train.


Just curious but at what Tours hotel will you be staying?

StCirq

I would take the train from Paris to Tours, pick up a rental car for 3 days, return the car in Tours, and take the train back to Paris (you'll have to change stations), then a train to Nice. Or do what Michael suggested. No way I'd drive from Paris to Nice, with or without a 4-year-old.