We are going to a conference in Paris(6 nights) and would like to do a side trip for 4 nights. Any suggestions? I have looked into Normandy, Loire Valley and Burgandy. We would rent a car. I am having trouble fitting any visit into only four days. I would like a few more. Which area do you feel would fit this short time frame and how would you divide the time??Thanks

Into the mix, add in the TGV. You can use it to get to the area you want to visit, then rent a car at the destination, return via TGV. For example, Provence.

They're all good destinations, but since you mention Burgundy and will have a car, I'd take the TGV to Lyon, spend a couple of days there, then drive around the Burgundy countryside - Dijon, Beaune, etc.

You realize with 4 days you could also easily do Provence - the TGV to Avignon is just under 3 hours.

But really, any one of these makes a good 4-day excursion.

Also we will be going mid september. Taking the TGV to the area is a good idea...especially since the first day driving with jet lag is difficult.

Consider high speed train to Brussels (little more than one hour) and then changing to local train to Bruges (about an hour). We visited Brussels, Paris, Bruges last September and it was great combination.

Hi C,

You can get to Dijon in under 2 hr for 17E.

Coco is one of our regulars, and she won't toot her own horn, so I recommend www.myhomeindijon.com

Hi cparris,

How about Montreux on Switzerland's Lake Geneva? It's in the French part of the country, so you'll still be immersed in French culture, cuisine, and language. But it's a lovely area and is particularly lovely in Sep. You can visit vineyards, castles, tiny villages, and take a cruise on the lake. Montreux is about 3h from Paris by TGV. Last year, I got a Piccolo fare between the two for 20E (bought 90 days early).

Have fun!

s

Does Burgandy have alot of festivals in Sept. for the wine? I guess we would be there Thurs. night 9/11 to 9/15. The grapes are harvested then right?? or is it later in the month? If we do Normandy though would you suggest 1 night Rouen, 2 nights Bayeux, 1 night Mt. St. Michele. I would like to stop in Giverny on the way to Rouen?

The wine is harvested when the grapes are ready - there's no set date. But it's highly unlikely the harvest would be taking place as early as you're going to be there.

Yes, your plan for Normandy is fine. Rouen's a great city, and you can easily do Giverney on the way. You might want to fit in at least a lunch stop or something in Honfleur if you go to Normandy, too. Very charming place. And consider stopping at Chartres on your way back to Paris.

If you're driving, do a loop, not a destination region. There are so many things to see, even if you just get a one day taste per area.

Taking the train to the Loire is a perfect 4 day adventure(we did so in Sept.'07)

We stayed at www.chateau-de-perreux.com just outside of Amboise and it was the perfect location to visit the chateaus in the area. We did Chambord, Chenenceau, Villandry, and the DaVinci house and enjoyed them all.

Many restaurants nearby--about 10 min. to Amboise.

Well, I am still trying to convince my husband to spend a few extra days. Then we could really do another area and not rush around. That would be nice. So maybe normandy and Loire Valley or Provence or Burgandy and ?.

My husband is game for 8 nights. Is there anyway to do both Normandy and Burgandy? It seems too much driving. I would also like to go back to Provence...our last (and only) trip there wasn't the best. My son ended up spending the night in the hospital in Avignon...so I have some unplesant memories although the people were wonderful. My husband really wants to see Mont. St. Michel. What do you think. For some reason I just can't decide.

If you're renting a car in any case, leave your itinerary open and improvise according to the weather or your inspiration of the moment.

It is still quite easy to travel in France without reservations if you have sufficient mobility. Just don't start looking for a hotel after 6 pm.

One form of 'insurance' that I have sometimes used when I am not completely sure of accommodation is to reserve something through the www.accorhotels.com site as a possible backup. All it takes is a 1-minute phone call before 7 pm to cancel any reservation you have made if you have found something else better before then.

Check driving times on www.viamichelin.com if you are unable to calculate driving conditions and distances.

Good ideas kerouac. I am always such a planner...for hotels and stuff. My husband would be totally shocked if I didn't plan everything. The viamichelin site is good. I don't like to drive more then 2-3 hours any day if I can avoid it unless there are good stops inbetween.

Have you considered London?

London...no. I don't know that I will ever go back there, unless one of my children end up in a study abroad there. It has really changed in the last 10-15 years since I first went there. We went a few years ago.