Alice9

I'm just starting to put together an itinerary for a 2 week trip to France in late May/early June 2012 (final dates will depend on airfare).

We were last in France in 2007, where we were in Nice and then spent most of the time in Provence - St Remy, Carpentras, Bonnieux... it was a wonderful trip. In 1995 (I think), we spent a week in Paris.

SO, I think I'd like to spend 3 or 4 days in Paris. I think I'd like to spend time in the Dordogne and/or the Languedoc-Roussillon region. We would probably start in Paris (not wedded to this idea), take a train to ... somewhere and then rent a car. I would prefer not to have to go back to Paris to fly home, but haven't researched airports enough to know alternatives.

What do you experts think? Good time of year for this trip? 3-4 days in Paris 10 days or so elsewhere a good split? Any suggestions for good central locations to do day trips from?

I'm still tardy on my trip report from our trip in June 2011 (Switzerland and Austria), and I feel terrible starting a thread on a NEW vacation, but I will definitely get back to the OLD one (I'm usually so good about that, I don't know what happened this year).

Thanks as always,
Alice

TDudette

We flew into Nice and out of Lyon and that was fine.

You could reverse it Paris/Nice. Don't know your place of origination so that would affect flights being non-stop.

We did to a Paris to Provence back to Paris trip (see report if you are interested: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-sandwich.cfm )

We did lose time to traveling back and forth in the TGV-it slowed down both times. I have no first-hand experience but Marseille has non-stop flights to Dulles (D.C.)-worth looking into?

Alice9

Well, Dulles would be fabulous, we're in the DC area.

TDudette

Again, I don't have first hand knowledge of the Marseille airport or that flight.

DH and I flew from Philly to Nice (changed at Heathrow-plenty of time) and that worked out fine.

There used to be a non-stop from Dulles to Paris as well. That would couple well with the Marseille flight and you wouldn't have to back track, eh? Non-stop is soooo great.

Having Balto/DC/Philly all within reasonable drive makes travel options good. I should think that time of year would be very nice. You might be a tad early for lavender-again I can't say. Hub and I usually travelled in March.

ira

Hi A,

>I'm still tardy on my trip report from our trip in June 2011....<

And you want us to help you on your next trip?

Shame!

ira

Hi A,

I don't think you can spend too much time in Paris. Four nights would be fine.

>I'd like to spend time in the Dordogne and/or the Languedoc-Roussillon region. <

You can do both.

We started from Bordeaux, drove down to Narbonne and then worked our way back via Carcassone, Albi, the Gorges du Tarne, Figeac, Cahors and Sarlat to Libourne, from where we took the TGV to Paris for a few days.

Details at http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34676645

Alice9

Ira, thanks, you are always a font of good information. I'll look at your trip (and do my trip report like a good girl), and be BACK with more specific questions.

I must admit I like narrowing in a trip, starting with a vague notion, honing it, filling in details and then having an itinerary. THEN the airfare search so I can have my dates and THEN the looking for accomodation. The anticipation is fun but never exceeds the event!

Alice

mamcalice

On our most recent trip to France, we flew into CDG, spent 6 days in Paris (Our 8th trip and it wasn't nearly long enough) and went to the Dordogne for 10 days. We flew out of Bordeauux. It was our first trip to the Dordogne and I would like to have spent a couple of days in Bordeaux before our departure but there was so much to see and do in the Dordogne. Next time.

Alice9

mamcalice, did you do a trip report on the Dordogne? If not, what was your itinerary? What were the highlights for you?

Thanks,
Alice

I agree about Paris, I'm dying to get there again.