Rural week
 

We're going to France for the first time. Our plan is to stay in Paris for 3 days on the front end and 3 days on the back end, with a week in between somewhere out in rural France. We're hoping to hike, bike, maybe go to the beach (not required), eat well and drink some wine. Where would be a good out-of-the-way, small place to go, perhaps to take daytrips from a base?

The Charente might be the region for you. Check the Michelin Green Guide for things to visit. It is the cognac and pineau des Charentes area, and is fairly close to the ocean. I suspect that it is less touristy than neighboring Dodrdogne.

How about taking a train to La Rochelle and spending a few days there and on the Ile de Ré (as a daytrip)? The beaches there are a bit weird (at low tide there appear to be miles of mud to wade through to get to the water), but they're clean and the area IS less touristed than others in France. La Rochelle itself is a fabulous town with lots to see and do and great seafood restaurants, and I'm sure you could hike and bike on area trails along the beach and inland.

The Morvan (sp?) area of Burgundy? See http://www.morvan-tourisme.org for more info.

Best wishes,

Rex

Look into renting a house or apartment in a village or in the country. You have a base for hiking or biking, you can savour rural France, and you don't waste your precious week packing and unpacking.

As for a place--there are thousands of them. Good hunting.