I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the options that France presents and am hoping to benefit from the expertise of my fellow Fodorites.

I’ve been to Paris once, many years ago, but have not been anywhere else in France. Spending some time in Paris again (at least 4 or 5 days) is a must, along with visits to Chartres and Giverney. I’ve been considering a 3-week trip that would include parts of Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley, but then I get intrigued by the Dordogne and Provence, or Burgundy, or. . . . I’m having a very difficult time deciding!

Criteria for the trip include:

- I would like it to be as different as possible from my last few trips (which were, in reverse order, to northern China; Croatia and other parts of the former Yugoslavia; the Yucatan peninsula and Chiapas; and southern Italy, including Sicily, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Puglia).

- I would like the trip to involve a fair amount of variety - cities and towns, different styles of architecture, varied natural scenery, etc.

- Great food and drink.

I will be traveling solo, which is my preference. I don’t speak French, but will do my best to learn at least a few basics. I generally prefer to use public transportation, but suspect that having a car will make this trip more do-able and am willing to rent a car as necessary. I don’t mind changing hotels frequently, even every night or so. I’m not seeking beach time and I’m not specifically seeking relaxation (I’m sure I’ll do plenty of relaxing over dinners). My goal is to take full advantage of the time I have to see and experience things (except that I don’t like getting up at the crack of dawn). I expect to take this 3-week trip next May.

I’d appreciate any insights you can offer me. Thanks so much!

We thoroughly enjoyed our 2008 driving trip through Normandy. The people were friendly, the towns were quaint and of course the WW II history was important to us. We drove and took our own GPS with us to use, although you can get a rental car with one too. We did a loop that went from CDG, to Giverny to Rouen, to Honfleur to Bayeux to Mont St. Michel swing down to Amboise, back up to Chartres to Versailles where we turned our car in and then did Paris last sans car. Saw a lot, did some unplanned stops and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Michelin Green guides usually have an introductory section on culture,the arts and history of France. You might want to look at the Green Guide for France and choose the geographic areas according to what piqued your interests.

Other than Paris, you will need a car to see the best parts of France. You didn't tell us whether you like museums, shopping, relics/ruins, castles, picnics, etc. However, I will get this thread started.

I suggest you fly into Nice and out of CDG. Spend the first week in Nice, traveling by bus or train to Eze, St. Paul de Vence, Villefrance sur mer, Antibes (esp. the Picasso museum), Monte Carlo, Menton and the like. OR fly into Marseille, rent a car and spend a week in St. Remy exploring the Luberon, Arles, Avignon, etc.

Second week, TGV to Paris and spend your week there. Third week, pick up a car and explore Burgundy, Normandy or Alsace (Route de Vin).

Thus, you have country the first and third week (although Nice is not small, it is manageable and has a small town "feel" to it) and big city (not to mention beautiful) the second.

I'm anxious to hear what others think.

I would spend a week in Paris (with a couple of daytrips as you've outlined), a week in Normandy/Brittany, and a week in the Dordogne. I would rent a car in Paris and drive from there to Normandy, then Brittany, then drive down the coast to La Rochelle and visit it and the Ile de Ré for a couple of days. End up with a week in the Dordogne. Drop the car and take the train back to Paris.

You can play with the actual number of days in each region, but this would give you an amazing variety of French experiences.

Thank you all for your comments!

patandhank - If I go to Normandy, I hope to visit each of the places you mention, so I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your journey!

Michael - I have 8 different guidebooks for France, which I have been studying for some time. The problem is that too many areas pique my interest!

zorrosf - Thanks for offering a suggestion, even without some critical information about my preferences! I enjoy museums, relics/ruins, castles, churches, picturesque villages, parks and gardens, brief stops in markets (to take a few pictures), scenic areas, the arts, and the chance to see and experience other parts of the world. I don't particularly like shopping, although I buy gifts for family and friends whenever I travel.

StCirq - I'm intrigued by your suggestion, because I was getting the impression that a week would not be enough to see what I would want to see in either Normandy/Brittany or the Dordogne. But I probably have some unnecessary redundancy in my wishlists, so I will definitely reconsider. The variety of experiences I would have if I can combine these areas would be amazing!

We did a similar (but 4 week) trip about a year ago. We did Paris, Normandy, Dordogne and Provence with about a week in each. Of course, the best way would be to spend a year there, but that's probably not do-able . But you will certainly get to see plenty with that much time in each area. Agree with StCirq, start in Paris, enjoy all the sights and places, then rent a car to Normandy, visit the beaches and the cemeteries and then all the small villages in the area as you head south out of there. You will probably have to choose between Provence and Dordogne, I don't think in 3 weeks you'll get to both (Paris could take the entire time if you wanted). Both Provence and Dordogne have wonderful villages and sights to see and history to tell. I agree with StCirq also that when you are finished, leave the car and take the train back to Paris. I wrote a trip report about our journey called "Our Month in France". In any case, you are embarking on a fantastic time, whichever areas you decide to visit. Enjoy.

We did a three week trip in 2006 and spent 4 days in Paris, rented a car and drove to Burgundy and spent 4 days. Then we drove to Provence and spent a week there, and then drove to Dordogne and spent a week there. It was wonderful! So different and all lovely. The food was amazing (especially in Dordogne!).

Good luck - or should I say Bonne Chance

Thanks, jobo and jamikins! I've printed jobo's trip report and jamikins' report on Brittany, but I'm not seeing a report by jamikins on Dordogne. Did you have a chance to write one?

If you click on my screen name you'll find literally thousands of posts about the Dordogne.

StCirq, I've been drawing extensively on the expertise you have so generously shared on this board over the years. Your knowledge of, and obvious love for, the Dordogne is inspiring. I am hoping to come up with a plan of the sort you suggested, combining some of Normandy, Brittany, and the Dordogne with my time in Paris, and I sincerely hope you will weigh in when I do!