Don't know where your travel plans will begin, but why not fly them directly to Nice on Delta from JFK? Though just having re-read this thread, I'm guessing you'll be traveling within Europe?? <BR> <BR>If that is the case, let the guys "go for it". They will have a great time, whether they drive or take the train. <BR> <BR>

Just to further confuse you, there is a direct TGV from CDG to Nice--leaves at 11:30, gets in at 7:30 pm (approx). I checked the rates, and the full rates are 1898 FF for the three, but evidently if you are traveling with a small child (Decouverte Enfant), all three get 25% off. You might want to check www.sncf.fr or for schedules, the German rail site is good: www.bahn.hafas.de <BR> <BR>My honest advice is not to plan a long drive after a transatlantic flight; there are also TGVs to Avignon from the airport, more of them and shorter rides, but Nice is closer to Antibes. Your husband could buy the tickets right at the airport (much easier than in a train station) and the information people usually speak good English.

Hi Monica. I'd say it depends on how much your husband loves driving. I love driving, but I still wouldn't want to drive all the way down to Provence from Paris; I think that distance on the autoroute might get a bit dull after a while. But, if your husband LOVES to drive, he might enjoy it. <BR> <BR>Personally, I'd recommend a train/driving combination because then your husband and sons will get to experience the super-fast TGV (which I'd think they'd really like) as well as driving. They could take the TGV to Avignon (about 4 hours from Paris), or Marseille, and then drive the rest of the way.

Yes, you're husband is crazy - for marrying a woman who would go to the internet to ask complete strangers for ammunition to use in a spousal argument.

Hi Monica, <BR> <BR>Mappy France (http://www.mappy.fr/direct/mappy/accueil) proposes express itinerary (CDG - Antibes) in 9 h 30, Bis itinerary in 13 h 30, assuming good traffic conditions. <BR> <BR>A good combination might be TGV down to Avignon and then Bis itinerary, but, I repeat, not on the first weekend of June.

The drive would not be a crazy idea, if they were going to make it part of their vacation - stop for anight here or there, do some sightseeing etc. However, if they are just planning to spend their time on the motorway, on as little time as possible, it might not be much fun. I agree with posters above that they may not save much money either - car hire and fuel cost are not cheap, and there is the extra expense of keeping children amused on such a long drive. Is it too late to buy tickets through to Nice?

This refers to India, but it applies perfectly to Southern France during the summer months: <BR> <BR>Most road users observe a version of the Highway Code based on an ancient text. These 12 rules of the road are published for the first time in English. <BR>ARTICLE I The assumption of immortality is required of all road users. <BR>ARTICLE II The following precedence must be accorded at all times. In descending order, give way to: cows, elephants, heavy trucks, buses, official cars, camels, light trucks, buffalo, Jeeps, ox-carts, private cars, motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws, pigs, pedal rickshaws, goats, bicycles (goods- carrying), handcarts, bicycles (passenger-carrying), dogs, pedestrians. <BR>ARTICLE III All wheeled vehicles shall be driven in accordance with the maxim: to slow is to falter, to brake is to fail, to stop is defeat. This is the Indian drivers' mantra. <BR>ARTICLE IV Use of horn (also known as the sonic fender or aural amulet): Cars (IV,1,a-c): Short blasts (urgent) indicate supremacy, ie in clearing dogs, rickshaws and pedestrians from path. Long blasts (desperate) denote supplication, ie to oncoming truck, "I am going too fast to stop, so unless you slow down we shall both die". In extreme cases this may be accompanied by flashing of headlights (frantic). Single blast (casual) means "I have seen someone out of India's 870 million whom I recognize", "There is a bird in the road (which at this speed could go through my windscreen)" or "I have not blown my horn for several minutes." Trucks and buses (IV,2,a): All horn signals have the same meaning, viz, "I have an all-up weight of approximately 12.5 tons and have no intention of stopping, even if I could." This signal may be emphasized by the use of headlamps (insouciant). Article IV remains subject to the provision of Order of Precedence in Article II above <BR>ARTICLE V All manoeuvres, use of horn and evasive action shall be left until the last possible moment. <BR>ARTICLE VI In the absence of seat belts (which there is), car occupants shall wear garlands of marigolds. These should be kept fastened at all times. <BR>ARTICLE VII Rights of way: Traffic entering a road from the left has priority. So has traffic from the right, and also traffic in the middle. Lane discipline (VII,1): All Indian traffic at all times and irrespective of direction of travel shall occupy the centre of the road. <BR>ARTICLE VIII Roundabouts: India has no roundabouts. Apparent traffic islands in the middle of crossroads have no traffic management function. Any other impression should be ignored. <BR>ARTICLE IX Overtaking is mandatory. Every moving vehicle is required to overtake every other moving vehicle, irrespective of whether it has just overtaken you. Overtaking should only be undertaken in suitable conditions, such as in the face of oncoming traffic, on blind bends, at junctions and in the middle of villages/city centres. No more than two inches should be allowed between your vehicle and the one you are passing - and one inch in the case of bicycles or pedestrians. <BR>ARTICLE X Nirvana may be obtained through the head-on crash. <BR>ARTICLE XI Reversing: no longer applicable since no vehicle in India has reverse gear. <BR>ARTICLE XII The 10th incarnation of God was as an articulated tanker. <BR>

I would NOT, kids or no kids, get off the plane in Paris and drive to Nice. It is a long, long ride, and most of it will be on the motorways, making it anything but a fun trip, particularly after a flight from the states. Add 2 kids to the trip, and I doubt very much that anyone would have a good experience. <BR> <BR>The train ride is a possibility, though it's not (as someone else indicated) necessarily going to save you much money. And since you will still need to get the car after the train, you'll have a long day on the train while you're jetlagged and then some. If you add the cost of a hotel for one night, I seriously doubt that you'll have saved any money at all, and you'll have lost some time together. <BR> <BR>I would seriously consider the time savings of flying to Nice, either directly from the States or from Paris. I think you'll find that cost won't be that much extra, and the wear and tear on everyone will be much less.

If they do decide to fly,Monica, make sure they have lots of time to make their connection in Paris. Twice members of our family have missed the connection to Marseille because it took longer than expected to get through customs, the flight from the U.S. was delayed and got in late, etc. My preference would be to have at least two hours between the arrival of the first flight and the departure of the second. Good luck!

Florence, thank you so much for posting that "translated" ancient text of the Indian Highway Code. I laughed so hard while reading it...that I almost took my eyes off the computer screen and drove into a ditch. :~)

Capo, <BR>Are you from India or Southern France?

Hi Sharon. From India? No, why do I have an accent? :~) Southern France? Also no, but I can dream, can't I? <BR> <BR>I'm from the city where it -- as in the title of David Laskin's book -- "Rains All the Time": Seattle.

Capo, <BR>I guess your "...I almost took my eyes off the computer screen and drove into a ditch..." led me astray... <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Mom: <BR>The drive from Paris to Avignon is long, brutal (reckless drivers, exasperating delays) and not particularly picturesque. Much better to spend the night/day in Paris, take the TGV from Gare de Lyon to Avignon (discount seats for kids, family units), then rent a car from Avignon rail station and drive to Antibes. The drive to Antibes can also be frustrating at that time of year, but much more picturesque. Otherwise, a TGV from CDG in Paris to NIce would be the best bet...much cheaper than air, and more comfortable.

There is a brand new super-high-speed TGV line due to open in another couple of months, which will cut 2 hours off travel time Paris-Nice. Fares may increase.

Have you checked out www.europeby air.com? They may have one of those $99 fares for travel between Paris and Nice. Personally, as a veteran of flying to France overnight and then taking a train and then driving o our house in the SW of France, I can tell you that it doesn't make a damn bit of difference how old the KIDS are, it's how old the PARENT driving is that matters. The kids will wilt on the train or in the car. The least amount of driving time is what you should be aiming for. Have them fly to Nice or take the TGV, whatever the cost.

Well, I was looking in here researching for another trip for this May 2003 and saw my old post. Update: They FLEW to Nice (with their bicycles)and it was perfect. They were fine. A little tired but excited and happy. The 5 year old did VERY well (the trip back to Calif was a different story!!) So, if you can, fly. A fabulous trip. The whole family wants to go back.