Bestsuggestions for a weeks visit outside of Paris-in May-to see the life in France away from the central attraction. Is there a city that one can locate in and then take bus or train to outlying areas?

For a whole week, I would go to Provence and use Avignon as a base. You can see a lot by bus and/or train. Cigalechanta had a post about doing this a couple of years ago; she might see your post and top the earlier thread.

Thank you--I will go to travel book to explore. We have a former exchange student friend in Reims and another in Nartignat but they are too far apart to hit both. So maybe will settle on an entirely different place.

I would rather stay in Lyon than Reims for a week, and Avignon even more. Reims isn't on a high-speed rail line, for one thing, whereas you can go quite a few places from Avignon by train easily, or bus. I'll admit there isn't that much around Reims I'm interested in by train or bus, either.

I'm planning a couple of days in Reims in March. It has more to do than I thought. I'm going to have to hustle to see everything on my list. Nevertheless I don't think I'd stay there a week. The rail connections do leave a bit to be desired.

I like the Avignon/Provence suggestion. You'll see a very different part of France. One I've only read about.

I've been to Lyon twice. I would not recommend it for you. I truly enjoy Lyon. It has amazing food, great museums and the old town is great for wandering. However it is another big city. I would never say it's a mini-Paris just like I'd never say Chicago is a mini-NYC. Lyon does have it's own look and feel. But it is another big city.

I think your feelings of wanting something different from big city Paris will be better served in Provence.

The South of France is getting more intriguing. Maybe we can make a quick trip to Reims from Paris for a night---or else settle for seeing Peggy here in Florida if she makes a planned trip in April. Back to the travel books. Thanks for suggestions