Hello! We (DH and toddler daughter) are going to France for 10 days at the beginning of May. We are flying into Paris, and thinking maybe 4 days in Paris, and the remainder elsewhere before returning to Paris.

We have been to Paris before, so what's on our list is playing with the wee one in some of the garden (tuilleries, champ du mars, etc.), visiting some markets, a Seine boat ride, shopping on the Rue Cler, and possibly a day trip to Giverny. I have also heard something about the fountains at Versailles on Sundays, but I need to find out more.

Now, this is where I really need some help. We would like to find some kind of a centrally located cottage (in a small town or countryside) to spend the rest of our trip. I originally was thinking near Amboise. DH would like to see the beaches at Normandy, but I am concerned if that is do-able as a day trip from Amboise. I have found a nice place to stay near Le-Havre, but I am not sure how much there will be to do for 5 days in that area. Does anyone have any suggestions? We will have a car, but we are trying not to move too much with the toddler, and we like pretty much anything historical, gardens, quaint villages, etc. If there is a zoo or an aquarium nearby, that would be a plus for the wee one.
Thanks in advance,
Kate

Hi J,

>shopping on the Rue Cler,

Only for Rick Steve's fans.

Try the rue Montorguel, Rue de Buci, Rue de la Paix, Rue de Rivoli, Au Printemps, Bon Marche' instead.

Can you tell me which arrondisement is best? I was thinking of the 7th, from my experience with the Rue Cler, but if you have a better suggestion, I am open.

with kids- the 7th near the 6th or 6th near the 7th. I think your idea of a week in April in the Loire with a toddler is great. You should be able to find a nice gite at that time of year. A word of warning- there is a vacation week for French school children in April- I am not sure when this year. It shouldnt impact the Loire as a destination though.

I know you didn't ask for info re: Paris, but we were there last spring with a 5yo and a 7yo.... find our trip report "A Magical Trip with Two Little Girls" or something. Our girls had a great time and we found lots of parks and playgrounds for them!

Enjoy -

Thanks for the advice so far!!! Let me pose the question a different way-- we have 5-6 days the first week of May-- we would like a home base somewhere outside of Paris. We can take a train to a city and rent a car to explore. We would like a variety of experiences, markets to explore, gardens, some historical sites, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations?

There have been some good reviews of Dijon here, and one Fodorite has a place there. It is on the TGV line to Paris.

To be clear, you won't be renting a car to explore Paris, right?

For areas to stay in, I'd pick the 5/6th, to be near Jardins de Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes.

No, no car for Paris (DH is not that crazy!!!) We can either pick up a car in Paris, or, if it's easier/better timewise, take a train to say Tours, and pick up a car to explore the Loire.