Suggestions on a 7 day Itinerary in France
Jul 1st, 2005, 08:32 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suggestions on a 7 day Itinerary in France
I am planning to go to France in Jul end with my wife and 2 kids ( 14 and 8 yrs). After speending 3 days in Paris, I want to spend 7 days touring other parts of France, by car. Being a family with kids we want a mix of history, culture and sightseeing (landscapes and architecture).
I have made an itinerary as follows. I am not sure if it is too hurried and if we are spending time at the right places in the circuit. Suggestions welcome (even to change/modify itinerary).
Day 1 : drive from Paris to Loire valley and see chateau's of Chambord, Cheverny and Blois. Stay at a B&B at night near Chateau de Chenonceau.
Day 2: See Chateau de Chenonceau and drive to Limousin areas. Visit town of Limoges. Stay at a B&B near Brive-laGiallarde.
Day 3 : See villages of Callonges-la-Rouge, Gimel-les-cascades and areas around.
Day 4 : Drive to Bordeaux visiting Sarlat-la Caneda, Domme. Stay at Saint-Emilion or nearby.
Day 5 : See Saint Emilion and drive to Languedoc and see the towns of Carcasonne, Beziers,Sete and Montpellier. Stay close to Sete or Montpellier
Day 6 : Visit Avignon and some palces nearby (?)
Day 7 : See Marsailles and drive back to Paris to reach by evening 7/8 PM
Suggestion to improve the itinerary would be welcome.
I have made an itinerary as follows. I am not sure if it is too hurried and if we are spending time at the right places in the circuit. Suggestions welcome (even to change/modify itinerary).
Day 1 : drive from Paris to Loire valley and see chateau's of Chambord, Cheverny and Blois. Stay at a B&B at night near Chateau de Chenonceau.
Day 2: See Chateau de Chenonceau and drive to Limousin areas. Visit town of Limoges. Stay at a B&B near Brive-laGiallarde.
Day 3 : See villages of Callonges-la-Rouge, Gimel-les-cascades and areas around.
Day 4 : Drive to Bordeaux visiting Sarlat-la Caneda, Domme. Stay at Saint-Emilion or nearby.
Day 5 : See Saint Emilion and drive to Languedoc and see the towns of Carcasonne, Beziers,Sete and Montpellier. Stay close to Sete or Montpellier
Day 6 : Visit Avignon and some palces nearby (?)
Day 7 : See Marsailles and drive back to Paris to reach by evening 7/8 PM
Suggestion to improve the itinerary would be welcome.
Jul 1st, 2005, 08:52 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I understand that some people like to see as much as possible, and others like to pick a couple of places and unpack for 3 or 4 nights. Either method is perfectly find. That said, I'm still going to advocate for something a little less ambitious. Maybe pick the Loire Valley and one other area, so you can stay in just two places and take a few day trips.
A couple of years ago, my husband and I stayed in St. Remy de Provence and Carcassone, and really liked seeing that part of France, particularly the Languedoc region and the fabulous ruined castles.
A couple of years ago, my husband and I stayed in St. Remy de Provence and Carcassone, and really liked seeing that part of France, particularly the Languedoc region and the fabulous ruined castles.
Jul 1st, 2005, 08:54 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are trying to do much too much. I would suggest that you pick - at most - two locations to visit by car - after Paris. If you are interested in the Loire Valley, then Normandy or Brittany would be good choices. I have been to almost all of the places that you want to see and will tell you that your itinerary is overwhelming - especially with children.
Jul 1st, 2005, 08:54 AM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These are all interesting places to see, but it seems to me that you will be trying to cover far too much in 7 days. You will be rushed, and spend much of your time on busy highways.
Why not confine your trip to the Loire Valley and Dordogne? You will find that there is more than enough there to meet your expectations. Slow down, and save the rest for another trip.
Why not confine your trip to the Loire Valley and Dordogne? You will find that there is more than enough there to meet your expectations. Slow down, and save the rest for another trip.
Jul 1st, 2005, 09:11 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would do Paris and only one other destination, such as Loire Valley or Normandy. We did Paris for 8 days, then Loire Valley and Normandy with a total of 15 trip days a few years ago, and we still need to return again.
Jul 1st, 2005, 09:12 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's another response saying you're trying to do far, far too much. Spending each night in a different place can get tiring for anybody, especially kids.
And your locations are pretty far apart - you'll be spending a huge percentage of your time driving. I would suggest that you start with a map of France, figure out distances, and then pick one or two other areas. We visited the Dordogne several years ago, without kids, but it looks like a great area to visit with kids. There are many castles, beautiful landscape and magnificent food (as well as being able to take boat trips on the rivers).
More specifically, St. Emilion is more interesting for adults than kids, and even for adults, there's not that much to do unless you're interested in wine. I would suggest more time in the Domme/Sarlat area.
And your locations are pretty far apart - you'll be spending a huge percentage of your time driving. I would suggest that you start with a map of France, figure out distances, and then pick one or two other areas. We visited the Dordogne several years ago, without kids, but it looks like a great area to visit with kids. There are many castles, beautiful landscape and magnificent food (as well as being able to take boat trips on the rivers).
More specifically, St. Emilion is more interesting for adults than kids, and even for adults, there's not that much to do unless you're interested in wine. I would suggest more time in the Domme/Sarlat area.
Jul 1st, 2005, 09:24 AM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Either way you go, you mention staying at Chenenceauu... may I suggest
http://roseraie.portland.co.uk/main-en.html
http://roseraie.portland.co.uk/main-en.html
Jul 1st, 2005, 09:27 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not only do you, IMO, have way too much packed into this short timeframe, but your route doesn't make much sense. Let me see if I can suggest some "edits" to it:
Day 1. Paris to the Loire Valley is fine. To save some time and hassle, you might want to catch an early morning TGV to Tours and pick up a car there instead of driving out of Paris. If you drive, unless you get out of town very early, I'll doubt you'll achieve your goal of seeing three châteaux that day. Three château in a full day would be more than enough.
Day 2: Any particular reason you want to see Limoges? It certainly wouldn't be on a 7-day itinerary of mine. Boring town, and the porceleine's cheaper in the USA. Same for Brive - is there a particular B&B you're just dying to stay at? If not, skip Brive and drive to a nice B&B near Sarlat. That will take you the better part of the day, and it's not an inspirational drive.
Day 3: Visit Sarlat, Domme, La Rocque-Gageac, and Beynac.
Day 4: Take a canoe ride down the Dordogne and visit a couple of prehistoric sites like Font-de-Gaume and La Roque St-Christophe.
Day 5: Get up early and do a long day's touring of Collonges-la-Rouge, Martel, Rocamadour, and the Gouffre de Padirac.
Day 6: Drive to St-Emilion, stopping on the way at Monbazillac and Bergerac and enjoying the wine country.
Day 7: Drive to Bordeaux, drop the car, and take the TVG back to Paris.
Day 1. Paris to the Loire Valley is fine. To save some time and hassle, you might want to catch an early morning TGV to Tours and pick up a car there instead of driving out of Paris. If you drive, unless you get out of town very early, I'll doubt you'll achieve your goal of seeing three châteaux that day. Three château in a full day would be more than enough.
Day 2: Any particular reason you want to see Limoges? It certainly wouldn't be on a 7-day itinerary of mine. Boring town, and the porceleine's cheaper in the USA. Same for Brive - is there a particular B&B you're just dying to stay at? If not, skip Brive and drive to a nice B&B near Sarlat. That will take you the better part of the day, and it's not an inspirational drive.
Day 3: Visit Sarlat, Domme, La Rocque-Gageac, and Beynac.
Day 4: Take a canoe ride down the Dordogne and visit a couple of prehistoric sites like Font-de-Gaume and La Roque St-Christophe.
Day 5: Get up early and do a long day's touring of Collonges-la-Rouge, Martel, Rocamadour, and the Gouffre de Padirac.
Day 6: Drive to St-Emilion, stopping on the way at Monbazillac and Bergerac and enjoying the wine country.
Day 7: Drive to Bordeaux, drop the car, and take the TVG back to Paris.
Jul 1st, 2005, 10:00 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Way, way, way too much - - spoken by someone who knows the difference and "did it wrong" anyway, just last month (for some right reasons, and some wrong reasons).
See my trip report - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34640631 - - and start by focusing on Part 3 (day two)...
It starts like this:
"Part 3 - - Too much driving. From Oiron to Limeuil at the confluence of the Vezere and Dordogne rivers.
I won’t try to sugar coat it. I blatantly defied my own customary advice: “See where you are more. Move around less.” Others advised against an itinerary this strenuous. This day came close to proving them right."
Your kids will find little of interest in the Bordeaux region, and Carcassonne, Avignon, Montpellier and Marseilles are all too far. Day 1 will be exhausting (or ridiculously superficial); day 4 and day 5 are virtually impossible. And day 7 is an exercise in letting your children see the back of your head from their seats in the car.
I'd love to give you my blessings for a strenuous itinerary - - but not this one.
Best wishes,
Rex
See my trip report - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34640631 - - and start by focusing on Part 3 (day two)...
It starts like this:
"Part 3 - - Too much driving. From Oiron to Limeuil at the confluence of the Vezere and Dordogne rivers.
I won’t try to sugar coat it. I blatantly defied my own customary advice: “See where you are more. Move around less.” Others advised against an itinerary this strenuous. This day came close to proving them right."
Your kids will find little of interest in the Bordeaux region, and Carcassonne, Avignon, Montpellier and Marseilles are all too far. Day 1 will be exhausting (or ridiculously superficial); day 4 and day 5 are virtually impossible. And day 7 is an exercise in letting your children see the back of your head from their seats in the car.
I'd love to give you my blessings for a strenuous itinerary - - but not this one.
Best wishes,
Rex
Jul 1st, 2005, 10:43 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all, cannot be a more unanimous suggestion to the size of my itinerary. I will take your suggestions and limit myself to 2 areas.
I am not hung up on the Loire valley. Any suggestion on what the 2 areas could be. Kindly remember that we are with with kids we want a mix of history, culture and sightseeing (landscapes and architecture).
I am not hung up on the Loire valley. Any suggestion on what the 2 areas could be. Kindly remember that we are with with kids we want a mix of history, culture and sightseeing (landscapes and architecture).
Jul 1st, 2005, 10:47 AM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice is take the TGV from Paris down to Avignon and pick up your rental car there. That saves you 5 hours in the car. Stay in Avignon for 3 days touring the Provence region, then drive to 1 other home base, stay there for 3 days, and then take the TGV back to Paris. The train ride is great and then you aren't being so nomadic.
Jul 1st, 2005, 10:56 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Cirq's suggested itinerary sounds ideal to me. Go with it.
En route from the Loire to Dordogne, you might want to stop to visit Oradour sur Glane, the village destroyed by the SS in 1944. It's been left as it was as a powerful memorial.
En route from the Loire to Dordogne, you might want to stop to visit Oradour sur Glane, the village destroyed by the SS in 1944. It's been left as it was as a powerful memorial.
Jul 1st, 2005, 12:03 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I seem to like StCirq's itinerary.
Can I request for some suggestions on places to stay as per this itinerary. As suggested by most of the postings earlier, staying at 2 ( or at most 3 places) is what I would like to do. Also I am thinking of finding B&Bs to stay at, that way we get the culture of France - What do you thnk?
Itin:
Day 1. Paris to the Loire Valley is fine. To save some time and hassle, you might want to catch an early morning TGV to Tours and pick up a car there instead of driving out of Paris. If you drive, unless you get out of town very early, I'll doubt you'll achieve your goal of seeing three châteaux that day. Three château in a full day would be more than enough.
Day 2: Any particular reason you want to see Limoges? It certainly wouldn't be on a 7-day itinerary of mine. Boring town, and the porceleine's cheaper in the USA. Same for Brive - is there a particular B&B you're just dying to stay at? If not, skip Brive and drive to a nice B&B near Sarlat. That will take you the better part of the day, and it's not an inspirational drive.
Day 3: Visit Sarlat, Domme, La Rocque-Gageac, and Beynac.
Day 4: Take a canoe ride down the Dordogne and visit a couple of prehistoric sites like Font-de-Gaume and La Roque St-Christophe.
Day 5: Get up early and do a long day's touring of Collonges-la-Rouge, Martel, Rocamadour, and the Gouffre de Padirac.
Day 6: Drive to St-Emilion, stopping on the way at Monbazillac and Bergerac and enjoying the wine country.
Day 7: Drive to Bordeaux, drop the car, and take the TVG back to Paris.
Can I request for some suggestions on places to stay as per this itinerary. As suggested by most of the postings earlier, staying at 2 ( or at most 3 places) is what I would like to do. Also I am thinking of finding B&Bs to stay at, that way we get the culture of France - What do you thnk?
Itin:
Day 1. Paris to the Loire Valley is fine. To save some time and hassle, you might want to catch an early morning TGV to Tours and pick up a car there instead of driving out of Paris. If you drive, unless you get out of town very early, I'll doubt you'll achieve your goal of seeing three châteaux that day. Three château in a full day would be more than enough.
Day 2: Any particular reason you want to see Limoges? It certainly wouldn't be on a 7-day itinerary of mine. Boring town, and the porceleine's cheaper in the USA. Same for Brive - is there a particular B&B you're just dying to stay at? If not, skip Brive and drive to a nice B&B near Sarlat. That will take you the better part of the day, and it's not an inspirational drive.
Day 3: Visit Sarlat, Domme, La Rocque-Gageac, and Beynac.
Day 4: Take a canoe ride down the Dordogne and visit a couple of prehistoric sites like Font-de-Gaume and La Roque St-Christophe.
Day 5: Get up early and do a long day's touring of Collonges-la-Rouge, Martel, Rocamadour, and the Gouffre de Padirac.
Day 6: Drive to St-Emilion, stopping on the way at Monbazillac and Bergerac and enjoying the wine country.
Day 7: Drive to Bordeaux, drop the car, and take the TVG back to Paris.
Jul 1st, 2005, 12:31 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thx Cirq,
I was thinking of spending between Euro 65-85 for a night at the B&B.
I am not sure on whether to chose a town/village or country side. I have never been to France and do not know what to expect in either. The reason I am looking at B&B is to grasp the Culture. My son (14yrs) studies French in school and is enamoured with the French culture (that is why this trip to Fr)
thx
I was thinking of spending between Euro 65-85 for a night at the B&B.
I am not sure on whether to chose a town/village or country side. I have never been to France and do not know what to expect in either. The reason I am looking at B&B is to grasp the Culture. My son (14yrs) studies French in school and is enamoured with the French culture (that is why this trip to Fr)
thx
Jul 1st, 2005, 01:02 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aj: Is that 65-85€ per night for all four of you? That might be pretty difficult.
I don't really know of any B&Bs in the Loire Valley - I'm sure someone else here can make a recommendation on that - but here are a few from Allistair Sawday's book that seem central for touring. You could google them and see if they have websites:
Le Moutier (owners Martine and Jean-Lou Coursaget), 13 rue de la République in Mareuil-sur-Cher. Price listed as 53.36€ for two.
La Mardelle (owner Mme Choquet), 68 ru de la Mardelle in Noyers. Price listed as 39.64€ for two
Ferme de la Quintanière (owners Annie and Daniel Doyer), 41400 Vallières-les-Grands. Price listed as 42.69€ for two.
Le Chêne Vert (owner Marie-France Tohier), 41120 Monthou-sur-Bièvre. Price listed as 57.93-83.85€ for two)
Ferme des Saules (Anita and Didier Merlin), 41700 Cheverny. Price listed as 43.45-48.78€ for two.
Breffini Cottage (owners Mary Ellen and Patrick Crehan), 16 rue du 11 novembre in Neung-sur-Brevon.
Near Sarlat in La Roque-Gageac, you might want to stay at the Plume d'Oie:
http://hotels-restau-dordogne.org/li...lg=2&Id=15
Or Le Branchat in Belvès:
http://www.best-of-perigord.tm.fr/he...hat/hotes.html
(that site is good for other searches for B&Bs in the Dordogne, too)
or Le Moulin Neuf in Paunat (a bit out of the way, but a lovely place):
http://www.the-moulin-neuf.com/
I can't think of a B&B I know in St-Emilion, but there is a darling little wine château cum B&B in Ruch, near Ste-Foy-la-Grande that's not far away. It's a sweet, inexpensive place set in the midst of vineyards, and the owners love to show off their wines and the hard work that goes into making them:
http://www.chateaulardier.com/
I don't really know of any B&Bs in the Loire Valley - I'm sure someone else here can make a recommendation on that - but here are a few from Allistair Sawday's book that seem central for touring. You could google them and see if they have websites:
Le Moutier (owners Martine and Jean-Lou Coursaget), 13 rue de la République in Mareuil-sur-Cher. Price listed as 53.36€ for two.
La Mardelle (owner Mme Choquet), 68 ru de la Mardelle in Noyers. Price listed as 39.64€ for two
Ferme de la Quintanière (owners Annie and Daniel Doyer), 41400 Vallières-les-Grands. Price listed as 42.69€ for two.
Le Chêne Vert (owner Marie-France Tohier), 41120 Monthou-sur-Bièvre. Price listed as 57.93-83.85€ for two)
Ferme des Saules (Anita and Didier Merlin), 41700 Cheverny. Price listed as 43.45-48.78€ for two.
Breffini Cottage (owners Mary Ellen and Patrick Crehan), 16 rue du 11 novembre in Neung-sur-Brevon.
Near Sarlat in La Roque-Gageac, you might want to stay at the Plume d'Oie:
http://hotels-restau-dordogne.org/li...lg=2&Id=15
Or Le Branchat in Belvès:
http://www.best-of-perigord.tm.fr/he...hat/hotes.html
(that site is good for other searches for B&Bs in the Dordogne, too)
or Le Moulin Neuf in Paunat (a bit out of the way, but a lovely place):
http://www.the-moulin-neuf.com/
I can't think of a B&B I know in St-Emilion, but there is a darling little wine château cum B&B in Ruch, near Ste-Foy-la-Grande that's not far away. It's a sweet, inexpensive place set in the midst of vineyards, and the owners love to show off their wines and the hard work that goes into making them:
http://www.chateaulardier.com/
Jul 1st, 2005, 01:36 PM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cirq,
thx. I have found a good site www.gites-de-france.fr, that has a good selection of B&B.
Can you recommend in your suggested itinerary, around which locations you suggest we stay and for how many days at each. I can find B&B's around that place.
thx. I have found a good site www.gites-de-france.fr, that has a good selection of B&B.
Can you recommend in your suggested itinerary, around which locations you suggest we stay and for how many days at each. I can find B&B's around that place.
Jul 1st, 2005, 02:45 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aj:
The Gîtes de France properties are VERY popular. I'm not sure you'll find anything there that's still available for end of July, which is smack in the middle of high season - but it's certainly worth a try.
I think the itinerary's pretty clear, assuming you're planning to follow it pretty closely: Night 1 in the Loire Valley, Nights 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the Sarlat area, Night 5 near St-Emilion.
Oh, and I wanted to second someone's suggestion to stop at Oradour-sur-Glane outside Limoges on your way south.
The Gîtes de France properties are VERY popular. I'm not sure you'll find anything there that's still available for end of July, which is smack in the middle of high season - but it's certainly worth a try.
I think the itinerary's pretty clear, assuming you're planning to follow it pretty closely: Night 1 in the Loire Valley, Nights 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the Sarlat area, Night 5 near St-Emilion.
Oh, and I wanted to second someone's suggestion to stop at Oradour-sur-Glane outside Limoges on your way south.
Aug 21st, 2005, 02:26 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got back from my trip to France. It was great. Your suggestions were very useful. I have pictures that I have loaded at a website and am trying to figure out how to share them ( without knowing your e-mail addresses). I also kept a diary and would try and put out a blog (if I can get my head out of the work schedule)
