TracyBrom

My 15 yo daughter is doing an exchange in Pessac outside of Bordeaux. I am picking her up on July 22nd to drive to Paris. Where should we stop along the way? We can stay overnight 1 or 2 nights. We have a pretty healthy budget. I'd like to do something really wonderful with her. Also, any ideas in Paris? I plan to stay at the Hotel Lutetia. Thanks!

Michel_Paris

How long in Paris? What are your interests? What time of year?

TracyBrom

We will have a week in France when I pick her up on July 22nd in Bordeaux. So we can spend 2 or 3 days before we get to Paris. Then 3 or 4 days in Paris. Just want to get the flavor of France and then do some basic sites in Paris.

Michel_Paris

You do not want/need to drive in Paris...so you could take the train to Paris, and spend your time there. With only a week, and Paris having so much to offer...Has she been to Paris?

TracyBrom

She hasn't been to Paris. I just didn't want to miss something along the way that would be a good experience such as a beautiful village. But you recommend spending the time in Paris? I suppose we could spend a day in Bordeaux as I have never been there. Thoughts? Thank you!

Michel_Paris

You might also want to lay out your days for us. I assume your week starts the day you pick her up, not when you land in Paris? Does your week include leaving day..which is 'lost' getting to airport.

If you did go to Paris, you could still do a day trip out of the city. Versailles is one of the most popular one, easily reachable by train.

ira

Hi TB,

You do know that it is only 3:25 hr by train?

For a car route, look up Bordeaux -->La Rochelle --> Paris "Sightseeing" at www.viamichelin.com. In addition to LR, you will pass through Tours.

Enjoy your visit.

TracyBrom

What do you think of the Chateau De Mirambeau? Should we stay there for a night? I haven't booked the itinerary yet. I am trying to get some information first. We aren't very constrained by the schedule so want to spend about a week. We may very well take the train if that's easiest. What's in Tours? Could we do a chateau tour from here? Stay at the Chateau de la Bourdaisiere? I really appreciate your input.

StCirq

I don't know your daughter, of course, but in my experience there is very little about stuffy châteaux hotels out in the countryside that appeals to teenagers.

I would rent a car and drive from Bordeaux out to Cap Ferret and the Dune du Pyla and Arcachon (unless your daughter has already visited them), then up the coast to La Rochelle. Park yourself there for a day or two and make sure to go out to the Ile de Ré. You might visit the Cognac area along the way. Then ditch the car and head back to Paris on the train. If you want to add a day or so in the Loire valley, get off the train at Tours (but don't stay there) and rent another car or join a day tour to a château or two.

TracyBrom

StCirq - Thanks for the suggestions. Where would you stay in those locations?

StCirq

That would depend on my budget, whether I wanted to be on the ocean or in town, and a few other factors.

TracyBrom

StCirq - I really like your suggestions and they are more in line with my idea of fun as well. Budget is very healthy. I'll pick her up on July 22nd. Stay overnight in Bordeaux. Drive up the coast as you suggest and spend 3 days in Cap Ferret and La Rochelle. What's the ideal itinerary? Will we encoubter a lot of traffic? I'd like to be at the beach. What's Ile de Re? I can't find it. Where would we then get the train to Paris? We plan to stay at the Hotel Lutetia. By the way, I am also in the DC area.

TracyBrom

By the way, I'll be traveling with my partner who is older and a hotel snob. Thanks.

Michael

I would drive from La Rochelle to the Loire valley. There are things to see between these two points.

The first twelve pictures represent sights within such a drive:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623276890499/

StCirq

I would spend the first night in Arcachon. It's only a half-hour drive or so from Bordeaux. From there you can easily visit Cap Ferret and the Dune du Pyla and be on your way the next afternoon to La Rochelle. Since there's a hotel snob along, I'd recommend www.hotelduparc-arcachon.com.

Ile de Ré is a gorgeous little island off the coast of La Rochelle. It's famous for its sel de mer, and you can see the salt flats everywhere. It's very reminiscent of a Greek island, with whitewashed houses and bougainvillea everywhere. Saint-Martin is the "capital" city. For the hotel snob: http://www.hotel-de-toiras.com/

But you might want to stay in La Rochelle itself, which is a lovely town: http://www.splendia.com/en/residence...-rochelle.html