Hi everyone!
I am flying into Paris and arriving early morning. Spending 8 days/7 nights and then flying out of Paris again. We are thinking of spending 1 day in Paris (I have been once for 3 days and seen the major sights although my boyfriend has not) and then spending the rest of the time driving and exploring another region. I am interested in the countryside, beautiful landscapes, food and wine. I don't speak a word of French either. Any suggestions. I found a good deal to fly to Nice or Marseille and was very interested in exploring the South of France

When are you going?

Hopefully, more than fifty days from now.

That would give you the opportunity to learn 250 words or more of French.

Today would be a good day to start.

Fly to Nice. Rent a car, and meander from there to Avignon. Take the train back from there.

Best wishes,

Rex

Burgundy has everything you want to see (and taste!). Dijon is 1h30 only from Paris by TGV. here are a few pictures to give you an idea...
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=43499444733
if you need some help just ask!
corinne [email protected]

I would definitely spend a few days in Paris - at least half of your time. Then I would spend the other half either driving in the Loire Valley or, take the good flight deal to Nice and explore that area.

You didn't indicate what time of year you plan to go. That might influence recommendations on where you drive (e.g. if you are going in late June or early July, you might want to go to Provence to see the lavender).

Hi T,

>We are thinking of spending 1 day in Paris (I have been once for 3 days and seen the major sights although my boyfriend has not) ....<

I suggest that you spend your time in Paris, with one daytrip.

It would be a shame to deprive BF of a visit to one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the world.

My Lady Wife and I have been to Paris many times over two decades and are now going to France for the first time.

We will still add a week for Paris.

<<It would be a shame to deprive BF of a visit to one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the world.>>

I will respectfully disagree, ira... indeed, methinks you are a little too monolithic about the importance of "see London for a week, see Paris for a week" as the first and only cornerstone for traveling in Europe.

If travelergal wants to show to her boyfriend the Europe that appeals to HER most - - and maybe an essential part of Europe for her is the sense of discovering someplace where one has never been - - then she should do just that.

And although I was equally "lecture-y" on how she can and should learn some obligatory amount of French, I think that travel can and should be a way that young people (in romances, or aspiring to be) can show each other "who they are" by how they adapt to the unique situations that travel presents. If she wants to show boyfriend how she will (or thinks she will) love (or adapt to) the French countryside behind the wheel of a car - - with or without having learned any French - - then I say, go for it.

We all give advice here on how we <i><b>think</b></i> others <i>ought</i> to travel (clearly I do, and often!) - - from luggage choices, to transportation options, to pink jogging suits...

... but I am least comfortable with the advice to change someone else's planned-for destinations, based on our own preconceptions of what is &quot;better&quot;.

Hey Rex,

&gt;... but I am least comfortable with the advice to change someone else's planned-for destinations, based on our own preconceptions of what is &quot;better&quot;.&lt;

No problem. However, think how unhappy BF will be if he dies and goes to heaven having missed a chance to see Paris.

My apologies if this posts more than once. I can't seem to get it to &quot;take&quot;...

====================

&lt;&lt;However, think how unhappy BF will be if he dies and goes to heaven having missed a chance to see Paris.&gt;&gt;

Well,this certainly hits the nail on the head. I just flat out disagree on this.

How unhappy will BF be (in heaven, of all places!?) if he dies and misses out on the joys of having a daughter? or beaming at her wedding? or looking down at the bend in the river Seine, from Chateau Gaillard, on top of that big hill? or tasting a real tarte a l'oignon in Alsace (all of which I have done)...

or parasailing over Annecy? or seeing Machu Picchu? or swimming across the Ohio River? (none of which I have ever done)...

I just really do NOT believe that my list... or your list... of places one MUST go... or things one MUST do... is inherently better than anyone else's.

Ira,

How did you get to Paris without going to France? That sounds interesting.

Wow! A lot of discussion about my question. First of all, we are going May 21 (overnight flight) until May 29 when we fly back.

I have taken in all your advice and agree that my boyfriend might like Paris- I liked it too. I asked him and he said that he was excited about seeing the south of France and mentioned that he wasn't that interested in the touristy stuff in Paris. Still I was thinking that he might still want to see other things.

SO, I was considering flying into Nice on May 24 (that gives us 2 days in Paris at the start) then spending 5 days in Provence, and then flying back to Paris same day as flight out (5 pm). Is this a good division of time? Will I still get to see things that I want and get a taste of Provence?

Only thing is that we fly out of CDG airport to NYC and flights from Nice that would work with our schedule fly into Orly. How long and how much to transfer airports. Would an easier solution be to fly out of Marseille since it is not only cheaper but also flys directly to CDG airport and at a time that works for us? If we did that what do you all suggest is a good route to take to see a good amount at a not too rushed pace in Provence. We would then pick up a car in Nice and drop off at Marseille. What would you all suggest as a good car rental company? Also, Should we spend 1st day in Nice and then drive around?

I know these are a lot of questions, but I don't want to miss out on the good flight deals.

Thank you everyone!

&lt;&lt;What would you all suggest as a good car rental company?&gt;&gt;

www.autoeurope.com may be the only name you need to know.

Others are

www.its-cars-hotels.com
www.kemwel.com

and i even think that checking travelocity is worthwhile.

Hello:

If you arent dead set on touring the Cote D'Azur and Bouche du Rhone, of which Nice and Marseille are cities in those respectives departements, why not head for Gascony? There are delighful villages west of Toulouse, chief of which Auch, the capital of the province of Gers. Auch is home to the Cathedral Ste. Marie, a handsome church built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Auch and the surrounding area have a somewhat surrendipitous appeal. Lovely bastides and villages, great food and very good vin du pays i.e Cote du Gascogne (white) and Buzet (red.

As far as language is concerned, if you speak English slowly enough, in all likelihood you will be understood. Drop me a line if you want some further info on inns, hotels etc.

Regards.
Luis