ms_sue

We're in the early planning stages for a 2 or 2 1/2-week trip to France next year. It's our first, so we're open to suggestions. We definitely want to spend a few days in Paris, and we're especially interested in Provence. We will probably arrive in Paris and rent a car as we leave.

Would it be best to limit our trip to Paris and Provence, or could we do justice to another area, such as Burgundy? Also, we're trying to decide whether to go in June or September. We have just returned from a wonderful, but wet, trip to Italy ("high water" in Venice), so we are aware there are no guarantees, but any ideas as to which would afford us the best climate and the least rain?

rex

Getting a lot of rain in June or September (almost anywhere in France) seems rather improbable to me - - but you just returned from Venice (in May?) and had acquae altae? I would have said that it was improbable to experience THAT in May too!

With 14-18 days, I think that sure you can do a shorter stay in Burgundy, en route to Provence. Others may chide you for cutting Paris short, but I see no problem with Paris 5, Burgundy 3, Provence 7 + 1-2 "slush". Even Paris 3 (at the beginning might be fine, if you prefer a more rural/smaller town trip - and maybe plan on adding more Paris at the end if you find you want more.

The days are, of course, longer in June, which I find to be very nice.

Sounds great for either month. Wish it was on my agenda for 2005. Who knows - - maybe it will be! Fodorites' trip 2005, anyone?

Best wishes,

Rex

ms_sue

Rex, you are not the first one to comment on how "rare" our Venice experience was. But most of Western Europe experienced this rather unusual weather front this year. We had rain and horrendous winds in Florence as well. The climate gradually improved while we were in Tuscany, and by the time we hit Rome (mid-May), we had magnificent weather. All in all, we didn't let the unforeseen deter us, but it has made us a bit gun-shy.

Thanks for the advice. My preference is for June, but that's mainly because I'm excited and don't want to wait till September.

Obviously, it depends on personal preference, but would Burgundy be one of the better choices to add to Paris and Provence? My husband has been an avid wine person for many years; my interest leans more toward quaint towns and the picturesque.

SalB

Burgundy would be a good add-on. It has quaint picturesque towns . . . and excellent wine. Both of you should be happy.

Rex's itinerary was excellent.

If you do Paris at the beginning of your trip, don't pick up the rental car until you are leaving town. That saves you having to pay for parking in the city. We just take the Metro back out to the airport and pick up our car as we leave Paris. It's worked well for us.

I'll put my vote in for June also. It's a beautiful time of year. Spring is such a hopeful season . . . and you don't have to wait until September!

StCirq

Since you experienced unusual weather in Venice you are aware that weather can never be predicted. That said, either June or September should be lovely in Paris and Provence. September would be my choice. The kids are back in school, it's warm enough to swim, and there is USUALLY less rain than in June. There is, of course, the mistral, which seems to like to pop up in early fall.
I'd spend a few days - like 5 - in Paris, then take the TGV to Lyon and spend maybe 3 days there, without a car unless you want to explore Burgundy, which wouldn't be a bad thing to do. Then either drive to Provence or take the TGV on to Avignon and drive around the Bouche-du-Rhône area of Provence for a few days. Then drop off the car, take the TGV back to Paris, and head for home. With luck, you can get PREM's fares on the TGV, making the train travel very inexpensive.

3gigs

A couple of suggestions: take the TGV directly from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Avignon (3-hour trip), get your car there, use St.-Remy-de-Provence as your base for touring western Provence. Stay at Le Mas des Carassins, an easy 10-minute walk from the center of town - a great 3-star inn with pool and restaurant, and helpful staff. You can access major villages of the Luberon (Rousillon, Gordes, Ansouis, Bonnieux, etc.) and other sights (Pont du Gard, Les Baux, van Gogh's asylum, etc.) from there, and St. Remy provides a weekly market, a couple of good regional museums and fine restaurants and shops. Go to Lyon if you are interested in great food and a medieval precinct within a major 21st century city. Stayin the Old Town, at La Tour Rose if you want to splurge, and try any of the surrounding restaurants (we had a great dining experience at Notre Maison, also in the old quarter). Then spend the last part of the trip, at least 4 days, in Paris, sans automobile (return it in Lyon and take the TGV back to Paris). Hotels too numerous to mention (tho' for the first visit you should be in the 1st, 6th or 7th arrondisement) but try Fodor's Rivage Hotels of Character and Charm in Paris for suggestions, and check the Trip Advisor website for user reviews. Side trips to Chartres (west) and Riems (east) worthwhile. Planning is half the fun so read a lot and talk to others who have been there. And please - ignore those stupid posts in this forum about rude Parisians. Have a great trip.

isabel

I also agree that Paris, Burgundy and Provence in 2 and half weeks is good. And that last suggestion of saving Paris for last is not bad. I've done it with Paris first, but I love Paris so much I can't wait till the end of a trip for it. A couple of friends of mine just did that trip and they said it was great getting on the train at CDG and using that first day (usually a bit jet lagged) to just veg out on the train to Avignon.

How do you feel about staying in one place versus moving every so often. Most people tell you to pick only two or three spots and do day trips but I would suggest a few nights in central Provence (Avignon area), a couple in Aix (or you could combine those two) and then a few in the Cote d/Azure (I recommend Vence). Then head up through Burgundy. I haven't been to Lyon so can't comment, but there are many small towns worth staying in for a few days.

Then drop the car at Orly once you get to Paris. We did that on the way back from Burgundy and it was very simple. Easy public transportation into Paris central (and closer than CDG if you're the cab type). I would leave at least four full days for Paris though.

You're going to get many suggestions for different configurations for this trip. We on this board love to live vicariously through others by planning their trips to places we love, and France is much loved.

Underhill

Burgundy is a lovely region to visit, and it's a nice transition between Paris and Provence. Burgundian food and wines are wonderful, as I'm sure you know, and the countryside is beautiful. I'd suggest spending several days there and visiting Vézelay, Dijon, Autun, and Beaune on your way south. If you want detailed information on Burgundy, let me know and I'll give you some links.

mamc

I agee that, if you have 2 1/2 weeks, Paris, Provence and Burgundy sound wonderful. I would prefer September but for one thing. Late in June, the lavender should be blooming in Provence. You note that this is your first trip to France. If that is the case, I would want to spend at least 6 or 7 days in Paris, 7 in Provence and 3 in Burgundy. We found it easier to take the TGV south and rent the car in Avignon. Find a place in Provence with a pool (3gigs has some great ideas)and explore Provence from there. It is wonderful to return to your hotel after a busy day and spend a bit of time relaxing by the pool. You will love France!

Underhill

On our first trip south from Paris we drove, and because of that we saw so much that we would have missed had we taken the train: most of Burgundy and the beautiful drive through the Rhône Valley.

mikemo

So much of France is wonderful, but I would highly recommend the far NE - Alsace - the folks are great and the food and wine are world class.
The towns/vills on the Route de Vins are a trip back to the 17th Century.
M

rex

<<we drove, and because of that we saw so much that we would have missed had we taken the train:...>>

Brings back a fond reminiscence of a great place for lunch: La Beursaudiere near Nitry - - I have posted about this place previously.

ms_sue

I appreciate all the excellent advice and opinions. I think I have my homework cut out for me. Is Dordogne worth considering in addition to/or instead of Burgundy?

Also, I notice that with the exception of one poster, everyone seems to tout traveling from Paris to our other chosen locations by train rather than by car. Is this more a matter of saving time, or is driving in France particularly difficult, or what?

mamc

With the amount of time you have, Paris and one or two other regions will be plenty. I would not recommend adding the Dordogne but you might do some research to see whether you would like to substitute it for Burgundy.

StCirq

ms sue:

I'd stick to three places total, including Paris. Do check out the Dordogne, though. You might find you'd be more interested in that region than in Burgundy - or not. It's certainly an option, though.

Driving in France isn't difficult, but it is different from driving in the USA, and I think some people find it intimidating. Driving in and into an dout of Paris makes some people panicky. If you have any qualms at all, I'd take the train to your second destination, whether it be Burgundy or the Dordogne, pick up your car there, and then enjoy the drive to Provence. At the end of your trip I'd suggest ditching the car in Provence andtaking the TVG back to Paris - it's just so much more efficient that way.

rex

I shouldn't/wouldn't speak for the train advocates, but my reading is that others favor driving one way, train the reverse. Perhaps due more to the painlessness (and speed) of the train, not due to the pain of the drive. Presumably you will have already enjoyed a look at what there is to see by car on the way down.

ChatNoir

Underhill, I'd love to see those links for detailed info on Burgundy.

Underhill

Here's one, the first article on Burgundy that I did for the bonjourparis.com web site. Note that things have changed at Bouilland: the chef moved to Provence last spring, but the new owner has retained the Michelin star for the restaurant.

http://www.bonjourparis.com/pages/ol...articleId=1215

As soon as I find Part II of the series I'll post it for you.

Other articles can be found--I hope--at the same part of the site (Provence and Brittany mostly, but also one on Villages Fleuris).

ChatNoir

Thanks Underhill, we can always count on you to deliver the goods.

ms_sue

Underhill, thanks for that link. I've bookmarked it.