France
 

We are going to France next weekend. We plan to rent a car and spend 2 nights in Amboise (near Tours). We would like to visit some local wineries, taste wine, and talk to winemakers. Any suggestions? How about restaurants or interesting chateaus? We will be in Paris for 2 days, any suggestions on current exhibitions at any of the museums or interesting new restaurants - we are staying on Ile St. Louis in the 4th arrondissement.

I would recommend reposting this with a different title - slightly more specific, like "Amboise wineries recommendations needed" or something. Just "France" is a little general...

And, having never been there, I can't help you - good luck.

Oh, and there's an Ingres exhibit at the Louvre that had a long line. Didn't go, but wanted to.

The area south-west of Tours is the best for wine.
The best white are the Coteaux du Layon. (absolutely fantastic)
The best red : bourgueil, Chinon

www.jeremierita.canalblog.com

I forgot to mention Vouvray for the white, very good also

Touraine region is very nice, and wine is one of the France's finest

Expositions :
Ingres at musee du Louvre. You can buy an all day ticket by net(FNAC.com or at the FNAC stores) and so you avoid the crowd(direct entry by passage Richelieu)
This allows you also entry to the museum...

Cezanne/Pissaro at musee d'Orsay : same as for the Louvre but the ticket has a exact horary schedule- entry is on the right when you are in front of the musee
This allows you also entry to the museum

Le douanier Rousseau at the Grand Palais
and there is not a long wait.No museum.

Magritte(papers, watercolors and collages) at the musee Mayol, railway station Rue du Bac.There is no waiting.
Allows also entry to the museum(Mayol is
a french sculptor).

For us(family of 4 : parents and 2 daughters 19 and 12) : rank has been :
1°) Magritte
2°) Cezanne/Pissaro
3°) Ingres
4°) Le doaunier Rousseau.
There are FNAC stores : Rue de Rennes
near gare Montparnasse,
Champs Elysees, same side than Virgin or Disney store, but nearer/Arc de Triomphe
one at the Forum des halles and finally
one avenue des ternes.
The ticketing counters are well indicated and generally at the entry of the store. You can pay with CC.

Restaurant :
a good italian : Santa Lucia, near church Saint Sulpice-no reservation

a good view : restaurant Le Georges, the brasserie at the top of the centre Pompidou at Beaubourg, not too expensive and such a view...

a good menu "prix fixe" worthing the money with wine and coffee : la table de Joel Robuchon, avenue Bugeaud, at 45 €.
It's a 2 stars Michelin, and you need a resrvation. It's open 7/7 days.
There are some dishes in "small" portions and so an a la carte is not so pricy.

A nice decor : la Fermette marbeuf,
5 rue Marbeuf .

Erik.
Erik.