I am currently planning a 21 day trip to France for my husband and I. I would like to tap the vast knowledge on this board. so here is my plans so far:
1. Arrive in Paris September 11, 2009- I booked a 1 bedroom apartment from www.vrbo.com. it is in the Marais area. Staying there and touring Paris lazy style thru morning of September 17 ( 600 Euros for the stay)

2. Normandy- September 17 and 18th Le Bocage Bed and Breakfast, I liked the reviews and my husband will really enjoy the WWII battlefield tours. 55 Euros/night/person 220 Euros total.

September 18 thru the 24th---Don't know yet Here is where I need help

September 24-October 1 Apartment rented in Villefrenche where we are just going to chill and watch the ships go by. 899 Euros for the week Any references for Villa Holiday would be appreciated as I have not confirmed this place yet.

October 1, 2009 back home and to reality of used up vacation time!!!

I need something to fill up the middle part. We are a young 50ish couple who are very physically fit. We would both like to do some biking ( think lazy style) and will be cooking our meals in the apartments that we have rented. I am trying to keep our lodging at around 100Euros/night.

How is the train system in France? Can we take the train from Paris to Normandy then pick up a car or should we get a car for the trip. Will we need a car in Villefrenche? Is there good public transportation.

Thanks in advance

chb

hi chb,

I think that i would allow myself longer at the B&B in normandy. 2 nights only really gives you one day, and if you are active, the best way to explore an area is to stay put and hire bikes/go walking.

However, i might also NOT BOOK a few nights - in late September you will have no problem getting somewhere to stay, and it will give you the freedom to explore without having to return to base.

regards, ann

I take it you will be arriving and departing from Paris? We need to know that before planning.

Here is a great spot in Villafrancce-sur Mer to look at:http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Fra...-Mer/p8595.htm

Gated parking right off main coastal road..walk 1/2 block to great bus transportation..15 min. to old Nice..can go to Monaco etc. I think you would want a car.

Fill in some other information and you will receive help...

Enjoy your planning..

Joan

I would spend another night in Normandy(touring the interior), then stay in Brittany near Dinan til the 22nd. Then stay in Rennes (one of my favorites), the night of the 22nd, and next morning take the 5 1/2 hr TGV to Provence (Avignon) and stay there. Next day, take the train to Nice. You could take the 10 hr train ride all the way from Rennes to Nice (train change in Avignon) - but that's more time than I want to spend on a train.

Stu Dudley

Hi chb; I think you should skip Normandy. I think you now have seven nights. Take the train to Toulouse from Paris for three nights. Plenty to see in and outside the city. Then rent a car and go to Avignon or that vacinity for two or three nights. Many sites to see in and outside that city. You could then spend a night in Cannes to visit an American Cemetery before reaching your final destination. It seems like you are flying into Paris and out od Nice. Look at a map and see what is logical for you both. iris1745/dick

Perhaps 10 years ago we stayed in an area of France called the Drome, or Drome Provencal. We stayed in a B&B called Les Tuillieres in Pont de Barret www.lestuillieres.com run by an American/Swiss couple literally in the middle of nowhere. The approach to the inn was on a one lane lavender lined road. The local hiking and food were incredible. For a sense of the area, you can Google the nearby towns of Saou and Dieu-le-Fit. We used this inn as a stop-over between Provence and the Alps and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. At the time we felt we were totally off the tourist path.

You would definitely need a car for this part of your trip, but it could be picked up/dropped off at a train station if you wanted to take the train to cover large chunks of country.

p.s. I just found a restaurant bill dated 2000 so my memory isn't as bad as I thought!

Oh my Gosh what awesome replies...I forgot to tell you leaving for home from Nice airport.

I cannot ditch the Normandy stay as my husband will really enjoy walking the places he has only read about.

Great suggestion for the Villefrenche apt, I will contact them. Have you stayed there?

chb

chb,

Yes, I did stay at the villa in Villefranche, in the fall of 2004. I have also seen reports from others who have stayed there more recently. Some friends were there last fall. All enjoyed. They also have a swimming pool. I did not check it out.

There is also the coastal train for transportation to the coastal villages.

Nice owners. A local gardienne.

Enjoy your planning.

Joan

Hi CH,

You might wish to consider the Dordogne.

See the sightseeing route at www.viamichelin.com for Caen-Sarlat la caneda- Villefranche-sur-mer.

Hi; I think you have a difficult/long cross country problem by either car or train. What you could consider is Stu's suggestion of staying in the Dinan area. Much to do and see. I sugggest three days at this chateau, www.chateaudebouceel.com/ You would have had a car after leaving Paris going to Normandy. When leaving Dinan, go to Nantes for an over night. Drop the car off before going into the city. The next day, Fly Air France, 1 1/2 hours to Nice. Pick up another car for your final week. Flights in July were inexpensive on www.lowestairfares.com/ Enjoy iris1745/dick

P.S. If you fly, on the 24th of Sept., it is $103US PP on Air France, Nantes to Nice. Leaving at 7:35am and arriving at 9:05am. iris1745/dick

Alright my trip has been flipped. Due to difficulty in getting an apartment in Villefranche -sur-mer that was in our budget and that had the amenities that we wanted like water view wifi etc...we changed our schedule. so we are now leaving the States Thursday September 10, arriving in NIce September 11, 2009.

We will take possession of our apartment on Saturday September 12-departing Saturday September 19.

I am still trying to put together the middle of the trip to include Normandy. I appreciate the comments about the long drive. Won't we miss alot of france if we fly from NIce to Paris?

Anyway staying in Paris Friday September 25 thru October 1 departing early October 2 for home from Paris.

Additionally has anyone used AT&T international phone service. I was told when I purchased our phones that all I had to do is call and let them know that I wanted their international plan. I do have a phone that I used in Scotland and Italy.

Thanks Much

chb

Hi chb; This change has made it easy to plan. Fly Nice to Nantes on Air France for $94PP. Leave on the 19th at 9:45am and arrive at 11:20am in Nantes. You have six days. Hire a car and spend three nights in the Dinan area, perhaps a two hour drive fron Nantes. I suggested a chateau in a previous post. Then drive to the Normandy area, Bayeux, for three nights. We loved our hotel [small room] and they had private parking. www.liondor-bayeux.fr/english/le-lion-dor.php Bayeux is one of the few towns that remained in tact after WW2. You could then drop your car at the Orly airport or Versailles [four hour drive] and take the train into Paris. iris1745/dick

Yes, we have AT&T for our cell and have used it in France with no problems. I went to our local store before we left and had the international plan acitivated. When we returned home, I had it turned off. It was very easy to use, and we will be doing the same thing for our Paris trip in a few months.

Hi; The air fare to Nantes from Nice [$94]was found on www.kayak.com If someone knows of a 'cheap' fare to Rennes from Nice, that would be even better. On kayak, Nice to Rennes it was [$604]. iris1745/dick

Just to throw in another monkey wrench--I tend to agree with Ira. Yes, there is a lot you would miss by either flying or taking the train. If it were me, I would drive and plan to angle the trip through southern Provence and the Dordogne to Dinan. Folks will be quick to jump in and say you would end up with some one night stays, but you will see some wonderful places!

Love it!!!!! Many thanks I am going to look at all the suggestions.

chb

A necroposter advertsising a site.
Am I suspicious or should I report this post ?

given that our Korean friends seem to be able to do whatever they are doing with impunity, I don't think that there's a lot of point, W.