Leely

I recently discovered I have a week of vacation that I will "lose" if I don't take it by January 31. So I was thinking it might be nice to go to France in January. I've never been outside of Paris (which I love), and I'd like to go to a different area.

Which area/village would be pretty, charming, interesting in January? I'll probably travel by myself, so I'd prefer to take the train as the thought of driving myself in France in the dead of winter doesn't appeal.

I like culture (art museums, historical sites, impressive archictecture), but I'm not averse to nature (walks, vistas, etc.). I don't want to ski. Maybe Annecy or Perouges or...

Any advice/suggestions appreciated. Other ideas welcome--flights are so cheap in January that I'm open. And I often travel in winter, so I know I won't be getting fields of wildflowers, etc.

Thanks for any opinions you can offer and sorry this is so vague.

kevin_widrow

How about Nice? Weather should be OK even in January. Certainly the best you'll find anywhere in France. Lots of great museums in the area without the crowds. Plus some excellent local villages to stroll around.

-Kevin

Scarlett

Hi Leely,
After reading various trip reports and articles about Provence, I have that on my list of out of Paris places to go.
Here is one of the best of the more recent Provence reports, see if any of these towns/areas appeal to you.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34540151

The weather might be a bit better in that area too.
Lucky you, a "discovered" vacation week

Leely

Kevin and Scarlett,

Thank you for your replies--now I can spend my weekend researching, one of my favorite hobbies.

Yes, a "found" week of vacay. Too bad I haven't found any extra $$ in my bank account!

Leely

Scarlett

LOL, yes, we all need to be able to "find" more vacation dollars

Enjoy the researching~

Kristinelaine

I agree with Kevin -- Nice, and surrounding villages would be great. Lots of art -- since Fr. artists liked to go there and paint/sculpt/etc. Vence and St. Paul de Vence are very nice and there is a small railway that goes up into the maritime alps and some very old villages/towns there to see. I envy you.

Underhill

You might think about Burgundy. Dijon has major architectural offerings, a fine museum, and many other attractions. Autun boasts a splendid cathedral and picturesque medieval precints, Roman ruins, and other good sightseeing. Beaune offers the Hospice, a medieval hospital with a fine Burgundian tile roof, as does the nearby Château de Rochepot.

If you could rent a car for a few days you could visit the Abbaye de Fontenay, the basilica at Vézelay, the Renaissance Château de Tanlay, and any number of other sites of historical significance.

Then there are all the excellent restaurants and wine châteaux...