anastacia

We are planning two weeks in Europe in July. Our family consists of three people: myself, my husband and our six year old daughter. I'd like a week in Paris. Then where to? We went to Italy two years ago and loved it.

Perhaps the Cote d'Azure? Provence? The Loire valley? I would like to see at least one chateau.

We live in on the east coast of the US. I am hoping to get to under 10K including airfare.

Thanks!

danon

July can be hot in France - some beach time might be nice for you daughter. Menton or some other small town would be my choice.
You can also do a number of day trips from most towns on the Cote.

cigalechanta

There's so much to see in Paris that a week is not enough IMHO.

Fra_Diavolo

Normandy. Brittany. Loire.

Nice and cool that time of year.

adrienne

Rent a car and drive to Normandy, stopping in the Loire Valley enroute to see a chateau or two. There will be plenty to keep you busy for a week - Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, D Day beaches, Mont St-Michel.

StCirq

Your daughter would probably love the Dordogne. Castles galore and prehistoric caves, gorgeous scenery, great food, canoeing on the rivers.........

But really, there are castles all around Paris, too, and just about everywhere else in France. A few hints about what else you'd like to see and do would help.

ira

Hi ana,

Within a few hours by train you can be in Strasbourg for Alsace, Dijon for Burgundy, Libourn for the Dordogne, Avignon for Provence, Normandy, or London, England.

anastacia

Thanks for the advice. My daughter has enjoyed looking at pictures of Versaille so I think that's what she'd like. Castles enchant her. She also likes beaches a lot.

My husband said he liked Carcassone. How far is that from Paris? Is there anything else to see in that area that anyone recommends?

Thanks again.

StCirq

Carcassonne is the largest walled medieval city in France, and a long way from Paris. It will be absolutely mobbed in July. You won't want to spend more than 2-3 hours there anyway. I surely wouldn't make it my primary destination outside Paris. There's plenty to see and do in the area, but I would not make Carcassonne the focus; rather, perhaps, a stop on the way to the coast or Provence. But really, I would go with one of the suggested areas above and forget about Carcassonne for now. If your daughter likes beaches, take the train to La Rochelle and spend a few days on the Ile de Ré. Or head to Normandy or Brittany.