We will be in France the end of May. We've been planning to spend three days in Bordeaux, but now are thinking maybe we should go to Normandy for the three days/nights instead. Haven't been to either area, although we've been to France many times.. Any suggestions, opinions and recommendations would be most appreciated.

Why did you pick Bordeaux? What's making you think of Normandy instead? Where will you be before and after these three days?

Totally apples and oranges, so yes, what went into your thinking about each?

Good questions. We've been to Paris many times, Provence, Riviera and driven from Barcelona along the coast to Provence. We are going to Paris for 6 days [hope to go to French Open one day] and thought Bordeaux might be nice, relaxing and interesting. We have a reservation at a beautiful hotel in town for 3 nights. Thought it might be a good place to go before Paris. I have a vision of a travel poster - get over your jet lag in Bordeaux! A relative said how could we pass up Normandy. So I'm rethinking the plan. Any thoughts would really be appreciated.

We've been to both Bordeaux and Normandy. I'm not sure what one would do in the city of Bordeaux for 3 days - we stayed a day and moved on to the Dordogne. Lovely. We loved Normandy and 3 days is a good time to see the highlights. The countryside is lovely - we were also there the end of May. The poppies were blooming. We stayed in Bayeux (had a car) and made day trips from there along the coast and to the WWII sites and beaches. Bayeux is a lovely town with plenty to see and lots of good restaurants. Traveling from Normandy to Paris you can pass through Giverny which, if you haven't seen it, is spectacular in May.

I urge you to read just a little about Bordeaux and Normandy and see which appeals most.

As I said before, apples and oranges. Bordeaux is a city, and not a terrifically appealing one at that for most Americans (I love it, but am there very often and know it well). Normandy is an entire region. It's like asking should we visit Oklahoma City or New England. I think you need to do some research beyond your vision of a travel poster (which doesn't fit with any description of Bordeaux I've ever heard of or can come up with after 20 years of visiting the place) and figure out what your goals are.

There is PLENTY to do in Bordeaux for 3 days, by the way, assuming you'd consider visits to Arcachon, Cap Ferret, and the Dune du Pylat. Even without visits there...it's a big city.

We spent almost two weeks in Bordeaux during the time of the volcano mess last year. This meant that rental cars were scarce and then the French decided to have some rail strikes, as well, kind of forcing us to spend time in the city. We did get to Arcachon even though it was still a bit chilly for beaches - quite lovely.

I do know that it is very convenient to take the TGV from Bordeaux-Paris, if that is a consideration for you. Bordeaux has a great tram system (when not en greve!).

if you are wine orientated,bordeaux is a good place
use libourne railway station for saint emilion
you have europcar through www.autoeurope.com
or/and bordeaux for the wine route=D2 with famous villages such as margaux,saint julien,pauillac,saint estèphe
with autoeurope you do not have penalties to drop off in another location other than the pick up one
paris>bordeaux/libourne in 3 hours by TGV

if you are wine orientated,bordeaux is a good place
use libourne railway station for saint emilion
you have europcar through www.autoeurope.com
or/and bordeaux for the wine route=D2 with famous villages such as margaux,saint julien,pauillac,saint estèphe
with autoeurope you do not have penalties to drop off in another location other than the pick up one
paris>bordeaux/libourne in 3 hours by TGV

Agree with all of above...apples and oranges. You didn't mention where you will be flying into/out of, which might make a difference.

If you are a history buff and like quaint countryside and ocean beaches, I would choose Normandy. Tons to see and do. Usually one travels along from site to site, where you wouldn't be near your hotel to rest, so I don't know how "recuperative" this option would be.

If you're into wine, Bordeaux is easily do-able by TGV, but is a big city, with all the good/bad points of a big city. Libourne is smaller and you'd be able to get out into the countryside (i.e. St. Emilion) faster by car should you want to do some wine tasting.

My personal option would be La Rochelle - gem of a historical old port town; it's got everything...water, sports, lighthouse, castle/old wall remains, the most beautiful train station and great restaurants. 3 hours on TGV from Paris.

Stay at the Best Western Hotel France-Angleterre-Champlain that is in a gorgeous historic ancien Hôtel that has a gorgeous walled in private garden where you can relax, have a drink or stroll to unwind. the marble staircase, the original chandeliers, the staff all make it a true "vacation" experience.

Coutanceau's famous Michelin restaurant, right on the beach with full-view bay windows, is my husband's favorite all-time restaurant experience. We could easily spend three days, car-less in la Rochelle; it's a very happening place. But if you do have a car, there is always the ile de Ré nearby as well as Saintes, Royanne, etc. to discover.

4 days....no response from BOUCHET re his/her interests....

I'm back. Away for the weekend. After much thought and reading, we've decided to spend our 3 days before Paris in Normandy. [Better New England than Oklahoma City, StCirq.] We have a reservation in Honfleur. Hopefully will rent a car at CDG and be on our way. Should we do a tour of D-Day sites or go on our own? If a tour, any recommendations? Although we don't have much time, would like to go to Mont-St-Michel also. Other highlights not to be missed? Also, we love food, so any restaurant recommendations?

You better rent the car BEFORE you leave or 1) you won't have a car or 2) "you will pay through the nose" as my grandmother used to say.

Thanks. I'm going to work on that today.