Middle of France? Drive and stay between Loire and Rhine Aps
 

Hello! We are in Chinon in the Loire now June 5, with two more nights (in Villandry). We Plan to stay 7-10 nights in the French, Italian Alps near Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy at end of trip. We fly out of Geneva June 22nd. We have a car and are a couple.

We need help finding a route though Loire toward Rhone alps to break up the drive. Hubby is interested in Dijon or Beaune. We were both interested in Provence initially but it may be too far/ too much. Both interested in Rhone valley. Any recommendations for smallish medium towns with nature, outdoor activities would be greatly appreciated.

We are traveling on the fly, have done it before several times but are unsure about where to go or which route to take through the middle of France.

Is Auvergne or Limousin worth sleep over?
Go straight to alps?
Rhone valley suggestions?

We enjoy hiking, walks, nature, mountains, cafés, markets. Thank you!


Ps highly recommended Etretat as a overnight trip from Paris. We took two nights driving the Alabaster coast of Normandy from Dieppe to Etretat. Etretat was definitely the highlight. Also highly recommend Giverny as a stop outside of Paris if you enjoy gardens. We went on a Monet trail so to speak.

There are tons of sights in the Rhone Valley:
Nimes, Pont du Gard, Avignon, Orange, Vienne, St. Romain en Gal ......
If you drive through Limousin or Ardeche, you may be intrested in the caves of Lascaux
http://www.lascaux-dordogne.com/en/lascaux-cave
or Chauvet
http://lacavernedupontdarc.org/en/la-grotte/
http://www.ardeche-guide.com/la-grot...grotte-chauvet

Chamonix etc.: most cableways will begoin to run on June 13th
At Courmayeur, many things seem to remain closed until early July.

Thank you, neck eradicate for the info. That is good to know about Courmayer and June 13th on French Alps side lift. So I would say now we have roughly 6 to 7 nights before June 13th to enjoy and travel.

I think we will go for Rhone Valley. Do you think the more northern parts of Provence (Avignon) will be too crowded this time of year?

crowded in June? Not at all!

Check out Le Puy en Velay.

ThanK you kerouac and neckervd. Any mid range (100 to 135 euros) hotel or B&B recommendation for a one night stay in Lyon?