Between Paris and Provence
 

My wife and I and our 4-year old daughter are spending two weeks in France in June. We are spending the first week at a villa in Provence (near Roussillon). We are spending the last 3-4 days in Paris (both of us have been several times and don't want more than that with a 4-year old). Any thoughts on a quaint town in which to spend 3-4 days on the drive back, in-between Provence and Paris? Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Why don't you book something in the Loire Valley... You can visit some of the chateaux in that section of France... Perhaps the town of Chinon and the Hotel Diderot (Backroads uses it on their casual inn bicycle tour of the Loire Valley): http://www.hoteldiderot.com/centralang.html

Beaune or Dijon in Burgundy (don't know if I'de call Dijon "quaint").

Stu Dudley

We usually stop in Burgundy on the way to Provence from CDG. This year it will be Avallon again.

If you want something closer to Paris-where you could make day trips to Sens, Fontainebleau, Moret-sur-Loing, Vaux-le-Vicmonte etc...
there is a fantastic Logis de France in the country along the Onde river...Manoir de l'Onde outside Sens by a couple of miles. closed mondays tel. 03-86-67-05-93. Huge garden w/fountain, bikes at no charge and a heated, covered swimming pool for you and your daughter to enjoy. Excellent cuisine. We got a web demipension for two for excellent value and th beds were the best in any stay in France. On a country lane that follows the river to the little dam.

Thank you all for these ideas. I will do some research on all of them. We have reserved a car at CDG and were planning to drive to Roussillon. Someone has suggested the hi-speed train from CDG to Avignon TGV and then rent the car there. Any thoughts?

Others have asked your train question and the overwhelming response has been to take the train and pick up a car in Avignon. Less time, less stressful, not an altogether pretty drive have been the reasons given.

amwosu, I was just going to say the same thing.

I'll add a bit more. We've done it this way a number of times: overnight flight to CDG, then TGV from CDG to Avignon. We take the navette into Avignon and spend our first late afternoon and evening in Avignon. Nice place to wander around when you're jet-lagged, and there are numerous hotels to choose from.

Next morning we take the navette back out to Avignon TGV where we pick up our rental car. Then we drive to the house we've rented, stopping along the way for essential supplies.

Avignon TGV to Rousillon is an easy drive and you don't have to drive into the city. You simply skirt the edge of it on your way east.

Anselm

If you have a lot of time..not just 2 weeks...you can have a great trip on the side roads..not the autoroute..many great and scenic journeys in between. It just takes time!! Most are in a hurry to get from Paris to Provence or back. You could spend two weeks just wandering around the areas in between!

enjoy..............

Thank you all. I booked the hi-speed train for the trip to Avignon today (thanks to MorganB's SNCF guide for this) but we will drive back. I think we will stay in or around Beaune. Any hotel suggestions? Trip Advisor would indicate Hostellerie De Levernois as the best choice.

Beaune is a lovely city for walking. Since you'll have a car, make sure your hotel is within the city's ring road and can provide parking. Streets are tight for driving but ample for the 4 year old's stroller. Enjoy your trip!

Last year we got a good web deal through venere.com at the Henri II in Beaune (r. Faubourg St. Nicolas) that included bkf in the price; it's a Best Western. A/C worked great and was most appreciated and the garage is great IF you don't have a van--low ceiling. Nice location just at the ring road...just walk through the lovely Porte St. Nicholas and continue down the street, passing wine négociants along the way. You come to the market square and Hospice in a very short time-maybe 10 min/15 max.

Personally, I don't think you could do better than Hostellerie de Levernois. Wonderful lodging and dining. It is a memorable place for me. Go for it!!
Enjoy...........

jhunt....I would take the hi speed train from CDG to Avignon (takes about 2-3 hours) and rent a car at Avignon. The car rental location is right at the train station. We did this last September and it was ideal, especially after a long flight to Paris it was much better to relax on the train than to have to drive 4 hours to Provence. As for a quaint town on the return, Beaune is a beautiful town for a short stay. PS you will love Provence!

jhunt, we've done the Paris - Provence drive a few times, and I always think to myself after...we should have taken the train. The drive is long and although not unpleasant, it's not particularly amazing either.

I agree with the poster to spend your extra few days in the Loire Valley. You may also wish to stay longer in Provence or go to the Dordogne. The wine area between Provence and Paris is nice, but I think you might enjoy the Dordogne or Loire more with 3 -4 extra days.