France, the south-east in 14 days
Mar 6th, 2011, 12:10 PM
#1
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France, the south-east in 14 days
Hi travellers,
We made a great fourteen-day cultural and natural roundtrip trough the east and south of France.
Starting out of Belgium we drove straight to the Champagne area and we visited the center of Reims, with the famous cathedral. The next day we spent a superb day in the old city of Troyes. Houses and buildings remained in the original state, which makes it even more interesting to visit than the more famous city of Reims !
In Bourgogne we made an interesting visit of La Chaise-Dieu with the famous abbey, and Vezelay as a pilgrim stop on the route to Compostela.
In the Auvergne region, we stayed in Polignac, a name very wellknown in the history of Europe… The city of Le Puy-en-Velay is also a popular sleeping place for the pilgrims. There are a lot of religious monuments all over the city.
More south Conques in the Midi is a mediaeval city with a great abbey, high on the hill. Estaing is the birth place of the former president Giscard d’Estaing of France. Rodez has an old center and a gothic cathedral, worth to visit.
Through the Gorges du Tarn, with a splendid nature, we enjoyed the Cevennes and hit to the Provence. A day in the Camargue where the bulls for the fights are grown and where still some wild horses can be seen, was enjoyable. After a short visit to Aigues Mortes, a fortified city where several crusades started, we took a break on the Cote d’Azur. Next day more culture with Arles, wonderful cryptes under the city house, and the abbey of Sénanque.
On our way back north we took a day in Beaune with the marvelous Hospices de Beaune.
This roundtrip with lots of cultural and natural highlights is easy going in two weeks time.
If you like more details please ask me here, I will be pleased to inform you. Or you can take a greater look on the dutch travel story online; http://www.fotoreisverhaal.net/frankrijk/.
I hope I have given you enough reasons to spend some more time in La Douce France. Looking forward for your experiences. Good luck !
jeepeejee
We made a great fourteen-day cultural and natural roundtrip trough the east and south of France.
Starting out of Belgium we drove straight to the Champagne area and we visited the center of Reims, with the famous cathedral. The next day we spent a superb day in the old city of Troyes. Houses and buildings remained in the original state, which makes it even more interesting to visit than the more famous city of Reims !
In Bourgogne we made an interesting visit of La Chaise-Dieu with the famous abbey, and Vezelay as a pilgrim stop on the route to Compostela.
In the Auvergne region, we stayed in Polignac, a name very wellknown in the history of Europe… The city of Le Puy-en-Velay is also a popular sleeping place for the pilgrims. There are a lot of religious monuments all over the city.
More south Conques in the Midi is a mediaeval city with a great abbey, high on the hill. Estaing is the birth place of the former president Giscard d’Estaing of France. Rodez has an old center and a gothic cathedral, worth to visit.
Through the Gorges du Tarn, with a splendid nature, we enjoyed the Cevennes and hit to the Provence. A day in the Camargue where the bulls for the fights are grown and where still some wild horses can be seen, was enjoyable. After a short visit to Aigues Mortes, a fortified city where several crusades started, we took a break on the Cote d’Azur. Next day more culture with Arles, wonderful cryptes under the city house, and the abbey of Sénanque.
On our way back north we took a day in Beaune with the marvelous Hospices de Beaune.
This roundtrip with lots of cultural and natural highlights is easy going in two weeks time.
If you like more details please ask me here, I will be pleased to inform you. Or you can take a greater look on the dutch travel story online; http://www.fotoreisverhaal.net/frankrijk/.
I hope I have given you enough reasons to spend some more time in La Douce France. Looking forward for your experiences. Good luck !
jeepeejee
Mar 7th, 2011, 10:16 AM
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BrianRS, it was indeed our intention to visit the land of the Cathars and Carcasonne... The interesting way down made us short in time, so we had to return before reaching our goal ! Next time probably ?
Swagman, difficult to choose, Bourgogne was very enjoyable..., but every location give us joy !
Food in France is very easy; take a simple restaurant, close to the people, where the locals go and enjoy your meal !!!
Thanks both for your comments.
Swagman, difficult to choose, Bourgogne was very enjoyable..., but every location give us joy !
Food in France is very easy; take a simple restaurant, close to the people, where the locals go and enjoy your meal !!!
Thanks both for your comments.
Mar 7th, 2011, 12:56 PM
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Viajero2, we sleeped always in B&B's the country side. Adresses found in the Guide Routard (in french)/ Trotter (in dutch), about the same as the Lonely Planet guides in english.
For the Camargue, Cote d'Azur en Arles we take two nights in Eygalières, a small village near the Alpilles (see the website). In France there are plenty nice B&B's.
For the Camargue, Cote d'Azur en Arles we take two nights in Eygalières, a small village near the Alpilles (see the website). In France there are plenty nice B&B's.
