Hello!

We are a large family 10 of us with young kids (ages 5, 2, 1) and aging parents that are not able to really walk. We will be visiting France. Honestly this might be my parents last trip there, so its more about covering ground than covering every sight and sound.

We ideally want to spend time in France but it wont be intense and we will not be covering each museum, chateau and chapel. Its really a whirlwind to get a taste as there is no way we can truly enjoy everything with the kids, and aging parents. We would like to sight see and mix it in with food and taking in the local culture

My entire family will all be together from July 5-July 24th. We are hiring a 2 large vans and drivers to be with us for the entire duration so driving is not an issue.
July 24th- August 18 it will just be my husband, my 2 kids (5, 2) and myself, and we will be driving ourselves. Trains are not an option for us with kids and luggage. We will likely pick up a car in Marseilles and drop it off in Paris.

Below is what I have put together based on the feedback of several Fodorites and friends.
StuDudley - your itineraries have helped immensely. I hope one day to travel in depth as you have. Thank you.

Questions - I need help in terms of which areas to visit, and accommodations. We love wine, cheese and food. Our kids are young enough to go with the flow and have some fun time as well.
- Colmar - where should we stay in regards to which city. Should we stay in Strasbourg and drive. Which hotel or B&B do you recommend
- Beaune - where should we stay in the city?
- From St.Tropez to San Sebastian we have a few days and want to break our journey where should we go?
- From Bordeaux to Paris again we have a few days and want to break our journey where should we go?
- Is Normandy - St.Michelle good with kids? If so where should we stay.
- My older son is obsessed with the eiffel tower - Paris is for him, Ive been several times. What should we do in Paris. This is dedicated to him....

Land at CDG - July 5th Go directly to Reims to get over jet lag. Kids will be in hotel with the nanny while we will be out.
July 5-7th - Reims
July 8th - Reims to Colmar
July 9th - Colmar in and around-
July 10th - Colmar in and around
July 11th - Colmar to Beaune
July 12th - Beaune in and around
July 13th - Beaune in and around
July 14th - we have this extra day possibly and can add it to either the Burgundy or the Colmar leg of our trip
July 15th - Check in to our villa in St. Remy
July 15-July 26th - Villa in St. Remy
July 26th - Head to St.Tropez
July 30th - Head to San Sebastian - this is a long drive and we would like to cut it at the half point and spend 2 nights. Where should we stay
Aug 3rd - San Sebastian
Aug 4th - Bilbao
Aug 5th - San Sebastian
Aug 6th - San Sebastian
Aug 7th - Leave for Bordeaux we are meeting friends in Bordeaux
Aug 8th - Bordeaux
Aug 9th - Bordeaux
Aug 10th - Head towards Paris. This is a long drive and we would like to cut it at the half point and spend 2 nights. Where should we stay?
Aug 11th - ?
Aug 12th - ?
Aug 13th - ?
Aug 14th - ?
Aug 15th - Paris
Aug 16th - Paris
Aug 17th - Paris
Aug 18th - Head Back to LAX

Thank you in Advance!

St. Tropez for the seashore? If so, from Saint Rémy it would make more sense to go to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue, staying on the west side of the Rhone, since you intend to then drive to San Sebastian.

Don't want to throw ringers, but why are you going to Saint-Tropez? The Camargue is much more interesting as mentioned above. The beaches on the Atlantic are far superior. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz and San Sebastian among others will be less crowded and confused than Saint Tropez. You could decide to go to SS via Toulouse or through the Pyrenees.

If you have your hearts set on Saint-Tropez you could stop nicely anyplace from Montpellier to Narbonne. I don't know about the driving. All my travel in that area has been by train.

I agree completely about St-Tropez. It's out of the way gven your driving plans, and the Camargue and Atlantic beaches are much nicer, and could be less crowded.

I would go through Toulouse to get to SS. You could stop somewhere on the outskirts along the Canal du Midi or farther on, in Tarbes.

For your stint from Bordeaux northward you would probably enjoy La Rochelle and/or the Ile de Ré.

Thank you for your responses. We are going to St. Tropez to meet up with friends who will be down there and it's one of those things my husband wants to do. I have been there so I am neutral!

That is quite a trip! I sure couldn't do it let alone with 3 little kids, so kudos for that.

Bordeaux to Paris isn't really that long, unless you don't like to drive more than a couple hours. It's only about 6 hrs. I think the coast (La Rochelle etc) are a good idea if you want that, but that is veering off the route to Paris and so then the drive from Ile de Re to Paris is about the same length as from Bordeaux.

Of course the Loire Valley area/chateaux/Tours etc is sort of the obvious choice many would make (I wouldn't do that with your trip details unless you were really interested in those chateaux, which I don't think you are), but I will suggest Bourges. I just visited there the first time last summer and really liked it a lot, and one nice thing is that it is much smaller and more manageable than a big city. It's just a jog over to the east from your route if you were going to do A10 to Paris, and then it is still fairly direct to Paris from Bourges, just going north instead of NE. You can get on the A71 right out of Bourges.


I don't understand your questions about Normandy and St Michel, which are not even mentioned on your itinerary.
Since you have 4 extra days, you could do both but that may be a bit much.

What a wonderful trip. I always suggest trying to change hotels less frequently when it is possible.

I took the train from Bordeaux to Paris and it was half the traveling time. I "hear" ya about schlepping luggage though. As I looked at the map, Poitiers appears to be about half way and has some interesting buildings. Can anyone comment about the town?

ps--I'd give as much to Paris after your Aug. 10 days. One night on the way unless there is something really special.

Following - as we will be about a month behind you, with your first two weeks identical to much of our itinerary, except we will be in Luxembourg and then the Mosel River Valley in between Reims and Colmar area (Kayserberg), then Beaune. (In Beaune, we have rented a cottage in town).

If you decide to spend more time in Paris, you might want to consider an apartment rental - just be sure the owner has a registration number for a legal short-term rental. I always think the extra space - as well as having a kitchen - is a bonus. Imagine with young children along, even more of a bonus.

I loved Bilbao, but given that it's relatively easy to reach from San Sebastian -- I believe the bus takes about 1'15" -- you might consider visiting it as a day trip rather than relocating for a night.