My husband and I are planning a trip to France, and would like to visit the beaches in Normandy and then go to Bordeaux wine country. Which one first is not important. Can fly to any major city in France. Any suggestions for 5-6 days itinerary?

Thanks.

Bordeaux was the subject of a very recent thread. Read it & I think you will ge some useful advice.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34946570

Stu Dudley

Thanks. Will be it be realistic to combine Dordogne with Normandy beaches? Should I look for different "wine cuntry" area?

Do you have a total of only 5-6 days? If that's the case, I wouldn't bother with the Dordogne, after all. I'd either go back to Paris and then take a day trip to Reims and the Champagne country, or zip down to Bordeaux and visit the city for one day and take a wine tour out of the Maison du Vin the next.

Are you driving or taking trains?

If you have not been to the Loire valley, it might be more logical to visit that wine area, which includes well-known wines such as Bourgueil and Sancerre.

It's a long transfer.

While it does not produce as many fine wines as the Bordeaux area (but it does produce a number of very good ones) the Loire Valley is considerably more convenient.

To an extent, the choice is dependent on your wine interests.

We have been to the Loire valley and love Bordeaux sines. If we decide on Dordogne for our base, where should we stay? Best way to get there from Paris? Will one day in Normandy be too far? Best wineries/wine tastings?