Going on honeymoon for 10 days. Starting in Paris but also thinking about attempting to squeeze in Bordeaux. Realistic? I have been to Paris twice before and wanted to see a new area.

It is about a 3 hour train trip from Gare Montparnasse on the TGV to Bordeaux. Given the frequency of the trains, I think you could even make a day trip out of it.<BR>There is a departure at 7:25 that gets in at 10:30.<BR>Coming back you could leave as late as <BR>18:39 and get in at 21:45.<BR>The one-way fare is about 56 euros.<BR>

I think a Provence or Brittany would be a more interesting trip. You can easily overnight at Mont-Saint-Michel as a two day trip. It is only 4 hours about to either Avignon or Bordeaux but to me Avignon is a more interesting destination particularly if you rent a car there to explore the region. A two night three day trip is easily done. 10 days in Paris is really not very long and we would have a hard time to spare many days for another locale. Overnight at Saint-Michel at one of the hotel high up on the Mont after the tourists are gone is a lovely experience and it will only use up two days. It is also about 4 hours away with train to Rennes and a connecting bus to the Mont. The French Toursist Bureau has schedules. I recommend that you give serious consideration to this.

Amy---<BR>I think it's wise to "do" somewhere else if you've been to Paris twice before. You might consider the "bullet train," the TGV, from Paris to the Med coastal area. But for goodness' sake, do plan to stay over for one or two nights wherever you go. Another great trip is to rent a car in Paris for a couple of days and just drive around to visit all the beautiful chateaux. If you plan an itinerary carefully, you can stop at three or four chateaux in a day, visiting each one sufficiently long to get a feel for it. As for Bordeaux, if that's where you want to go, you have already received some recommendations. For me, there are lots of places to see and things to do that are not Bordeaux. Isn't it nice we are all different?

How about the chateux de la Loire --- very romantic, or Dordogne?

Is there a special reason for Bordeaux? I agree with previous posts, there are more interesting places.

not tied to Bordeaux--I have been to Burgundy before and loved it. I am open to any other suggestions!?

Consider Lyon. It's only a 2 hr TGV trip and would make a great 2 night stay.

Sure you can. A couple of days in the area would be fine. Spend one day east of Bordeaux, especially St Emilion, and another up north in the Medoc, Haut Medoc, Pauillac area. Understand, Bordeaux is best if you're a wine lover and can appreciate standing in these great vineyards. If not, there are better areas to go to. Provence is great but would require many days. Alsace is my favorite area, easy to get to from Paris and great for driving the small wine towns even if you're not into wine, and doesn't require a lot of time to appreciate. For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

Amy:If you want to go to Bordeaux, the town itself is not overly interesting. It is traffic congested provincial capital. If you are interested in wine, do rent a car and drive around haute Medoc; Pauillac,Margaux,Saint-Estephe and Saint-Emillion. Saint-Emillion! don't miss this well preserved qaint medieval town. You may need all day just walk around and be immersed in the ambience. I am a wine lover and die-hard Francophile so maybe I am prejudiced, but you can not find prettier place in any other country. This area is more invaded by Europeans than Americans. If you can splurge,do stay at Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac which is a beautiful fomer residence of vineyard owner. This hotel is beautifully renovated. They have 2 round rooms in the old tower section and it is highly recommended to stay in one of these. The hotel has Michelin one star restaurant and the service, food and decorations are all top notch.1 or 2 days minimum recommended. <BR>If you have some more time to spare drive to Perigord region. It is worth the trip. I stayed 5 days at Hotel le Moulin de l'Abbaye in Brantome. The hotel was an old abbey with a still working water wheel turning with slowly flowing Dronne river. You could enjoy fabulous meals right next to the river. The whole area was covered flowers, flowers. Brantome is also very well preserved medieval "bastide" and the town is actually an island in the river Dronne.<BR>You can reach Brantome by car from Bordeaux within 2 hours.<BR>Also highly recommendable places to visit are Salat, Domme, Castelnaud and La Roque-Gageac. All these places are the back ground of Michael Crichton's "TIMELINE". I liked the book very much.<BR>As I said before this is all very subjective opinion but is definitely worthwhile to explore IMHO.<BR>Please contact me if you need more information. I spent total 2 weeks there in 9/2000.