France Itinerary
 

My husband and I are traveling to France for two weeks in October 2012. I want to get some feedback on our itinerary, as well as the best way to book train travel between the destinations. Also, any hotel recommendations in Avignon or Dijon? Thanks!

Sunday arrive in Paris
Sunday - Wednesday - Paris
Wednesday - Saturday - Bordeaux
Saturday - Marseille
Sunday - Wednesday - Avignon
Wednesday - Friday - Dijon
Friday - Paris
Saturday - Fly out of Paris

I would ditch Marseille. It's a minimum 6-hour train ride from Bordeaux, leaving you virtually no time to spend there.

And what made you choose Bordeaux? Wine? If not, I'd skip that too.

Train bookings can be made on www.voyages-sncf.com. There a loads of threads here explaining exactly how to do it.

I agree with St.Cirq. Forget Bordeaux and Marseille (and Dijon). Spend a week in Paris. Train to Avignon and then rent a car in Avignon and enjoy more of Provence. With only two weeks I would limit myself to 2 cities/areas. (Paris and Provence. Otherwise you spend most of your time traveling between places. They will be there when you come back).

I would definitely ditch Marseille ,it has changed a lot. I have being there long ago, and the only reason that would make me return is a nostalgic look at 588, Rue Paradis, the title of the wonderful movie by Henri Verneuil, with Richard Berry, Omar Sharif and Claudia Cardinale.
This 1992 movie really touched my heart , although as I said the Marseille of that film is long gone, how do I know?///...because an old friend of mine lives near Marseille.
Bordeaux on the contrary is a city I would return, however I understand StCirq's point, that probably is spend more time in Paris. I can agree with that too.

Well, I like Bordeaux, too, but frankly I made at least 20 trips to France before I went there, and it sure didn't grab me the first time around (it's a great place to shop for furniture and appliances, though - better than Périgueux, which is much closer to me). Most Americans I know who've gone there were less than impressed.

I actually was going to suggest skipping Dijon also, but didn't want to hit the overkill button. If the OP wants more than 2 destinations, I'd keep it in for 2 nights.

Thank you for all of the suggestions and feedback. I have been to Paris four times before and loved every minute! For this trip we would like to experience what else France has to offer. My husband wants to visit the wine region so that is why we are going to Bordeaux. While there we are looking at wine tours to Medoc and St. Emilion. I understand the thoughts about skipping Marseille, but we are just stopping in Marseille to spend the night and not really to do much touristy stuff. Would you recommend Lyon instead of Dijon?

<<My husband wants to visit the wine region so that is why we are going to Bordeaux.>>

France has dozens and dozens of wine regions. You don't need to zoom off a logical course from Paris south to do wine tours.

And I don't understand spending all day on a train to go to Marseille if you "are just stopping to spend the night." Why wouldn't you spend the night in Avignon, since that's where you're headed next day anyway?

Avignon is a must see. From there a nice day trip would include Arles (try to catch it on market day) and Les Baux. I had the opportunity to visit them while on a bicycle vacation. Fantastic!! Have a wonderful trip.

Have been to both Bordeaux and Burgundy and would highly recommend Burgundy over Bordeaux. The wine towns are lovelys and Dijon is great. If you want to see a wine region I would split my time between Paris, Provence and Burgundy. We stayed in Beaune in Burgundy and loved every min.

I would train from CDG to Avignon on arrival and pick up the car, then drive to Burgundy, then train to Paris from Dijon and end your trip in Paris.