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Plans have changed! Where to go three days prior to Paris?

Plans have changed! Where to go three days prior to Paris?

Old Feb 13th, 2012, 11:27 AM
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Plans have changed! Where to go three days prior to Paris?

Our plans for Europe this summer have changed (long story) but we find ourselves with three or so days to travel outside of Paris. We would love to see somewhere in the South of France, where we have never been. Provence? Cote d'Azure? Can someone who is an 'expert' on this area recommend a place to go for three days in June? We will train from Paris, could rent a car if needed, and would like to see something other than Paris. Is this too far to go for just three days? We have been to Brittany.
We would love a charming town or small city to explore. Can anyone help a South of France novice? (PS This is for 5 adults, a couple not so young) Thanks!
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 11:32 AM
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My experience with the south was a ~4 day visit to Lyon. Larger city, but has an area where the major sites are located. I stayed near train station but spent most of my days in the 'interesting' areas. Also took train to Chambery, skirting the Alps. Nice ride.

Rated at the culinary capital of France. UNESCO-listed Old-Town. Some scenic hilltop roman ruins with views and very good gallo-roman museum.

TGV from city directly to CDG in ~3 hrs.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 11:40 AM
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You can get to Provence on the TGV from Paris in 3 hours, so no, IMO it's not too far to go for a short stay. I'd take the train to Avignon, pick up a rental car, and explore either the Bouches-du-Rhône area or the Lubéron.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 11:40 AM
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3 days? do you mean one day to travel there, one day to BE there, and returning the 3rd day? If so, I think I'd opt for a closer destination. The suggestion of Lyon / Beaunne would be pleasant. If I were going down to Nice, I think I would want to spend at least 3 days THERE.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:13 PM
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I love Lyon but think someplace with more of a contrast to Paris would be nice. I'd choose Provence in June.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:17 PM
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As St. Cirq says, not at all hard to get to Provence, and then back to Paris via TGV--3 hours. LOTS to do in 3 days. How long do you have in Paris. ARe you arriving at CDG--take the TGV from there, if so.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:26 PM
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If you take, say, a 7 am train, you'll be in Avignon by 10 am. SO you have pretty much a full day the first day, a full day the second day, and a 7 pm train on the third day would give you basically three days.

And I wouldn't continue to Nice - that might be just a bit too far for a 3-day jaunt. There's more than enough to keep you happy in the area around Avignon.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:34 PM
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Your advice sounds great! I love St. Cirq's advice. Can you tell me if there is a good place that you know of to use as a base hotel, etc? Would we look to stay in the city of Avignon? I would love a charming inn or something of that nature.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:40 PM
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hoteldelacite.com in Carcassonne super nice
Arles lecalendal.com very nice in Provence
beaune.com Burgundy capital pretty more for foodies/winos
my top 3 cute walkable towns for a few days
couple of hours on TGV from Paris and a pretty journey.
Avignon is nice if you want a bigger city with the Popes
Palace the Clarion is nice there a restored nunnery very
cute from personal experience. Have fun!
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:42 PM
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Set in central Avignon, this 16th-century hotel offers an outdoor pool with a large sun terrace.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/clar...tlouis.en.html
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:56 PM
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I am not partial to driving in and out of big cities, but for this trip, I think I'd get off the train in Avignon, rent a car and go into the city and sightsee for the day, then head to someplace nearby that's more peaceful (St-Rémy is very popular, a good size but not a city, and a good base for visiting the Pont du Gard, Uzès, Arles, the Camargue, etc.). You can search St-Rémy hotels/B&Bs here on Fodors and get some good ideas.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 12:59 PM
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We stayed once at Mas du Carrassins in St Remy. It was easy to get into and out of with a car and walkable to the center of town.....and an easy drive from Avignon TGV.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 01:04 PM
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http://www.masdescarassins.com/anglais.php

Sorry, can't remember or spell very well!
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 01:23 PM
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St Cirq is right on!
There is tonnes of stuff to see in the vicinity of Avignon - do not bother with Nice, Cannes and the Riviera during this trip - you have no time for that and getting stuck in the coastal traffic will get you frustrated to no end! Make sure you have a good guidebook!
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 04:13 PM
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If you go very far, transport will take up at least half of your first and third days. Not leaving you much time for your destination. Avignon, about 3 hours by train, is a good center for public transportation. Aix-en-Provence, not much farther, is worth 3 lazy days.

Closer destinations are Normandy (the WWII beaches, Rouen, Honfleur, the resort towns of Deauville and Trouville) and Strasbourg (all the cute towns of the Alsace). Or maybe a short trip to Amsterdam or Brussels -- or Bruges.
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Old Feb 13th, 2012, 04:52 PM
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While I love Provence, may I toss in another (closer) option.

What about Champagne country - Reims and/or Epernay. Close to Paris; doable by public transport, plenty to see (and drink!)
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Old Feb 14th, 2012, 05:09 AM
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Margo - Would we need a car for Chamgagne country? Where would we base ourselves?
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Old Feb 14th, 2012, 09:57 AM
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I think the Champagne countryside is downright boring compared to many other parts of France. Of course if you're really into champagne, that changes the equation.
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Old Feb 14th, 2012, 10:12 AM
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As close and easy to get to is the Loire region. But for the bang for the buck, it would still be Provence.
What's this stuff of taking up all your first and third day for travel?
And I am so NOT a fan of Aix--but others love it. A big congested city for me. Prefer the little quaint/exotic towns of Provence.
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Old Feb 14th, 2012, 11:27 AM
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I am looking at staying in St. Remy but wonder if there is another lovely town to stay in besides this one. Frankly, the accomodations in St. Remy look kind of forlorn on the internet. Any other suggestions? I think we will stick with Avignon area, and see the Loire another time. Thanks!!!
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