Help with France Itinerary
 

Hi all. I've been reading some of the recent posts about travel to France and also been doing some research into this, but I do need some help. I'll be meeting up with a friend for about 8 days or so in April 2003. We've both been to Paris before, and he's had some business take him to Lyon and some other locations, but this is our first trip together. <BR><BR>I'll be arriving in Paris, and taking the TGV to Lyon to meet up with him. Spend a day or two here, then go to Paris for another couple of days. I would like to visit a chateau or two in the Loire valley. We also plan to get to Versailles for half a day. We are also big Monet fans, so we wanted to try to get to Giverny as a day trip from Paris.<BR><BR>As you can see, I have a lot of ideas on what we can do, but I'm not really sure in what order. I'd like some help in trying to put this all together. Thanks in advance for all the help.

sjk:<BR><BR>The answer to your problem is called a map. Amazing things, really. You look at them, you locate the places you want to visit, you can even draw lines between them to help you figure out which direction you're going. Then you check out what kind of transportation is available between them and make some choices.

Ohboy, what a smarta$$ you are!<BR><BR>US

I'm a train person myself, but with what you want to see and do I'd think rental car.<BR><BR>2 nights in Lyon, rent a car. 2 nights in the eastern Loire to see some chateaux maybe Chambord &amp; Chenonceau. Hit Versailles for most of a day and spend 1 night out around Giverny somewhere. See Giverny then dump the rental car and spend 3 nights in Paris.

I agree with David that a rental car would be a good investment -- and do ALL of the travel you will be doing outside of Paris in one continuous trip -- then dump the car at CDG airport (to avoid driving in Paris proper) and take the train or shuttle into Paris for your last few days.<BR><BR>Another thought: as you will already be in Lyon, why not consider seeing Burgundy (and/or Champagne) on the way to Paris?<BR><BR>John H.