Hi,

Next May we'll be traveling to Spain, and I thought we could add an extra 10-14 days to travel through France then fly out of Paris. I've never been to France although I've dreamed about it since I was a jeune fille. Have considered staying for a week in a house or apt. somewhere, renting a car and doing day trips (then taking a train to Paris), or we can make our way to Paris by car and stay in different places along the way. I'm torn between traveling through the Dordogne or Provence (or a little bit of both), so I'm looking for any and all suggestions/advice you can offer me. Obviously I have a year to complete my itinerary so I'm in no hurry, just excited. Thanks!!

Hi

I think you should choose either Spain or France but not both. Spain is a fabulous country and there is much to take in (as France is although I haven't done much there). What I did was tour Spain for about 3 weeks and then Paris for 3 days on the way home. I think this plan would be far more leisurely.

Hi C,

With 10-14 days, I suggest that 1/2 the time be in Paris. Thus, either Provence or The Dordogne.

That would be the question - Should I spend the time in The Dordogne or Provence? Which would be the better route up to Paris? Or maybe they would both be equal in distance and I just need to decide where I would rather spend my time. Any ideas for a first time visitor to France? We'll be spending 10 days in Spain already, I'd like to take advantage of spending some time in France also. Thanks!

Your choice of the Dordogne or Provence would probably depend in part by which part of Spain you will be coming from. Coming from the Basque area, you can easily access the Dordogne (which I will do myself in the fall); coming from the BCN side you will be able to travel easily to Provence, or the Dordogne. I would give the Dordogne about 4 days on a first trip...more if you rent a house there, of course.

We'll be traveling up from Barcelona.

Hi Chas,

It's 4:40 hr from Barcelona to Aix-en-Provence and 6:10 hr to Sarlat-la-Caneda.

You won't go wrong with either.

My choice would be The Dordogne.

The Dordogne, of course...

A couple years ago, I did a Spain-France trip that worked well for me.I took the train from Barcelona to Perpignan France, picked up a car and drove to the Dordogne via Carcassonne and Albi with nights in both. After a few days in Sarlat, I drove north to Bourge with a stop in Oradour sur Glane. I then explored the Loire Valley from my base in Amboise. I dropped the car in Tours and took the TGV to Paris.

The Dordogne gets my vote. And getting to see the Loire too is a bonus.

In the month of May ?... Provence, of course !

Patricia (in Provence)

I would split the 10-14 days between both those areas and save a detailed visit to Paris for another trip when you will not have a car.

I agree with ekscrunchy, these two regions of France are quite far apart, so it really depends on from where you are departing Spain. If near Barcelona, take the Provence. If near the Basque area, take the Dordogne. I´ve been to both, and I absolutely loved the Dordogne...