France
 

My husband and I are planning our long overdue honeymoon in France next July-August. We would like to be there for 3 weeks. Any suggestions about where I should definitely visit or things to do?
Thanks!

go in April or Oct.

Visit Paris

We loved the Normandy Coast, stayed in a small town in Normandy and got a Taxi ride for 5 hours to take us to all the sites. Also loved Amboise. We stayed across the river in a very small town Sorry, I can't remember the town at this moment(the town's name starts with an "N", and the B&B has the same name as the town) at a B&B the owners are wonderful. We took the train and enjoyed the experience.

Jackie, jackie, buy a guide book to see what terrain, type of food you two love. (for instance, I don't like Alsacian) What type of terrain. If your husband likes water, you must see the coastline. If he prefers mountains, You have several areas to choose and the food will be different in all. Once you decide what area, we will all be here to help.

Besides for spending time in Paris I recommend a few days in strasbourg followed by traveling around the villages of Alsace. i love the French/German culture and quaint villages.

The landscape and the light and the pace of Provence. The chateaux and the vineyards of the Loire. And of course, always Paris. Especially on a honeymoon (cliche, but still true.)

Everyone has his own favorite parts of France, and they are so varied that asking a really general question like where should we go in France will only serve, in the long run, to confuse you, or at least to give you too many options.
France is an amazingly varied country. It is like 20 little countries wrapped up in one. You need to do some basic research and decide what kind of geography, what kind of food, what kind of accommodation, what kind of culture, what kind of activities interest you, then come back and ask specific questions.

Do you like luxury hotels in bustling metropolises? Or hot air ballooning over vineyards? Do you want to settle down in a small stone house in a Provençal village for a week or two, or hop from city to city? Would you rather see Impressionist paintings or go spelunking? Are you fussy or open-minded? Do you prefer mountains or the seashore? Do you prefer bouillabaise or choucroute royale?
Nobody here can do more than throw out ideas about what THEY like unless you tell us something about what YOU like.

gee, I thought that was what I said?

Ah, succinct yet kind, Cigalechanta. Quite a rare combination here on Fodors.

For some of us slow learners, it takes hearing something several times in different ways to get it ingrained so thanks to all contributors (keep the wisdom coming StCirq! )

Hi Jackie,

cigalechanta and StCirq have given you good advice.

Three weeks in France can be a great adventure, once you've done your homework.

Come back with a draft plan for specific advice on what to do and how to do it.

The DK Eyewitness Guide for France is well organized and has lots of information, good illustrations and pictures.

All the advice above is right on target. Rick Steves also has a guide covering just France with a good variety of stops. As said above France is like a variety of countries all rolled into one:

Mountains - Go to Chamonix
Sea and Beaches - La Cote D'azure
History - Abounds from prehistoric caves in the Dordogne to WWI Verdun to the Normandy d-day beaches

Wines - Almost anywhere from Burgundy to the Loire

Grandeur - the Chateau country

Not to mention churches, museums and casinos. So pick what you enjoy and have a great trip.

Go to all as many swimming pools and beaches as you can. When you come back, please give us a deatiled report on the state of mens' swimwear in Frnace.

In particular, please give us a breakdown of swimwear preferences by:

1. Region

2. Age Group

3. Income Level

4. Physical Attractiveness

5. Ethnicity

Thanks in advance. I am sure your husband will LOVE seeing you conduct field research on this topic during your honeymoon.