Would like to see areas other than Paris while in France. Only there 5 days. Is Provence a possibility in time frame?

I'd strongly suggest you make the most of your time in Paris and not wander away for more than one day, at the most. If you do, Provence is reachable by TGV, but you still wouldn't have much time to do anything worthwhile unless you stay overnight--which you can do at the penalty of lost time in Paris. I'd stay closer to Paris and if I wanted to get out of town, I'd visit some of the nearby chateaux, go to old villages like Senlis, or see the cathedral at Chartres.

You would certainly be rushed to try to see any of Provence, but an early morning TGV from Paris to Avignon might be possible (takes about 2 1/2 hours to get to Avignon). Avignon itself is worth seeing, but if interested, there are rental car facilities at the train station, and you could rent a train and go see Pont du Gard, which is about 1/2 hour west of Avignon and definitely worth seeing. If you have not heard of it, it is a perfectly intact, huge Roman aquaduct and the area is beautiful and truly amazing. You could see what you want to see there in 45 minutes or so, go back to Avignon and see a few sights in the walled city, maybe, then catch an evening TGV back to Paris? Worth looking into!

With only five days in France, I would forego Provence. So much other good stuff closer - - Normandy, the Loire, Burgundy or even just around l'Ile de France.<BR><BR>But hopefully, this is not just five days in Europe, is it? What's the rest of the itinerary? Ir might affect my answer.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

to the top<BR>