Thanks to suggestions from StCirq and Cigalechanta I've settled on my itinerary for France in Nov/Dec this year: 3 nights Nantes, 3 night La Rochelle, 3 nights Paris.

I know what I want to do in Paris. Any suggestions for must sees or must eats in Nantes and La Rochelle?

Also waiting to hear the suggestions...we're heading to Brittany in a few weeks. Have about decided not to go as far south as La Rochelle unless somebody offers some "not to be missed" ideas.

TTT

Hi, Indy:

I'm cutting and pasting here some info I posted awhile back for someone else asking essentially the same things:

La Rochelle has lots to offer - the two old towers flanking the ports, a museum of natural history, a museum of the New World, a museum of perfume and perfume containers, an aquarium, a beautiful Hôtel de Ville, and plenty of shopping in the arcaded cobblestone streets off the port and beyond. It's all readily accessible from the port. Some of the best seafood in France can be had in this area. Restaurants to look out for include Les Quatres Sergents, Richard Coutanceau, and Restaurant le Bistrot de l'Entracte.

Thanks StCirq I always appreciate your advice. And thanks to you cigalechanta for topping some threads for me to get a few more responses.

Anyone else?

Be sure to go out to the Ile de Ré. If you don't have a car you can rent a bicycle, or I'm sure there are buses. St-Martin, the "capital" of the island, is the prettiest town, but the whole place is lovely - loads of whitewashed houses and bougainvillea, like a Greek isle. You can often catch the locals gathering the famous sea salt of the island, and if not you can certainly buy some.