Hi, everyone!<BR>My husband and I are going to France for the first time. We have two weeks on everything. Can you give me any suggestions how to plan our time? Good hotels? Nice restorants? <BR>Thank you.

Planning a trip to (just) France can present as wide a horizon as a trip to all of Europe. I strongly urge a trip to the biggest public library (or bookstore, or both) you can find - - to load up on big picture-filled, coffee-table-sized books to rev up your appetite, and help you find what looks most appealing to you.<BR><BR>Having said that, I'd say you can include two or three areas (especially if they're close together), plus Paris and the Ile de France itself (which can easily fill a week and/or segue into trips into Normandy or the Loire valley or the Champagne region). Normandy can almost be two regions in itself - - the Haute Normandie (closest to Paris) with Les Andelys, Gisors, Giverny and the "Vexin" region - - and Basse Normandie (lower - - i.e., closer to the sea) with the beaches (D-day landing sites and cemeteries), Deauville, Bayeux and much, much more. A visit to coastal Normandy readily sets the stage for exploring on out to Brittany - - if the Celtic side of France appeals to you.<BR><BR>There's also a taste of Germany in Alsace-Lorraine (further beyond the Champagne region), and this is convenient to head onward to Dijon and the northern end of Burgundy.<BR><BR>And I haven't even mentioned the south of France - - with the Dordogne (just east of Bordeaux), the southern end of the Rhone valley and the heart of Provence - - and for many people, the jewel of it all, the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera) with Monaco and the Alpes Maritimes.<BR><BR>As is popular to say here on this forum, you are in the best stage of (planning) your trip right now - - the discovery phase. Come back often and there are lots of people who will reply to more questions - - whether more specific or still broad. It's lots of fun to share with you the evolution of your plans.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I would plan to spend at least a week in Paris - that's still the jewel of France. Then you have to pick one or two other areas to visit. I wouldn't do more than that. The question is, what are your preferences? If you're heavily into wine, Bordeaux, Burgundy would be good. Everyone loves Provence. Alsace is really interesting with little wine villages and small roads winding through the vineyards. Normandy and the D-Day Beaches - awesome and thrilling. So you'll have to decide - everyone has their own favorites and nobody can tell you what's best. Read up on them at a library and see what interests you. Not to worry - they're all good so no matter where you go you'll enjoy. Just save others for your next trip. For Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

Hi Natalie, be sure and follow up on Fred's offer of info on email, it was enormously helpful to us and we spent 9 days in Paris, except for one day to Normandy and the D-day beaches. We also spent a week in S. France, but we have at least another week or two to spend in France before I claim to have a working knowledge of that fascinating country. p.s. I usually always agree with and enjoy reading Rex's advice as well. Judy

No advice really. However, my family (me, wife and daughter) are going to France for the first time in June. We intend to spend the entire time (8 days) in Paris. However, I was wondering whether I should rent a car to do some day trips.<BR><BR>Any thoughts from anyone?

to scott:<BR><BR>Yes, I'd recommend getting a car and getting out of Paris - - in fact, I'd recommend that you move out of Paris for three of your eight days. You'll reduce your lodging costs, and see a whole new side of France at the same time. Besides, getting and out of Paris (and parking the car while you have it IN Paris) will reduce much of the enjoyment of having the car!<BR><BR>I have never stayed at this place - - but it's on my "must-try" list sometime soon - - http://www.chateaudejonvilliers.com - - the location and setting seem ideal for exploring some of the wonderful day-trippable places to the northwest, west and southwest of Paris.<BR><BR>Do NOT miss Chartres, nor Versailles (though you would NOT have to leave Paris to see either).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Keep in mind that the different parts of France have very different cuisine.<BR>Brittany, the greatest seafood, and Normandy big on apples,and Calvados(made from apples in most dishes, also great hard cider, Burgundy famous for its Bresse chickens,snailsgreat wines,<BR>Provence for its healthy vegetables, olives, melons,and so much more where in Alsace, the food is germanic with great beers and white wines. The architecture will also be different in each part. Know what you don't like and that will steer you to what you do prefer. i hope this helps.

France is home to several gothic Cathedrals, if Architecture is interesting to you. There's Riems, Chartres, Remy, Mont St. Michel, to name a few. Then there's the cathedral at Ronchamp. Not Gothic, but ya gotta look. All the cathedrals have an amusing history, and their stories are well documented. The library or the bookstore is the place to start for this tour.

To Scott, you wouldn't need to go to the trouble of renting a car to get out of Paris. You can easily make day trips to Versailles or Chartres for example by train. You could even arrange a day trip to the D Day beaches. Fred has a number of day trips on his website and how to get there. <BR>And even 8 days is not too long to spend just in Paris. Have fun.<BR>To the original poster if you are going to split your trip you may want to consider doing your "out of Paris" portion first since you can either get a train or rent a car at CDG--then return and settle into your Paris portion.

Thank you so much, everyone.

Natalie: You didn't say when you were going. France can get cold - and Paris is cool all the time. 2 weeks including travel time is plenty. Arriving in Paris from the airport can take over an hour - however Paris really deserves at least 5 days - finest museums in the world and really the most beautiful (modern - 19th century) city in the world. The metro system is a breeze - watch out for pickpockets at the Louvre station - huge crowds at the Louvre - so much to see - we prefer the left bank 6th and 7th arrondissments - quieter and cheaper - must see St. Chappelle - also recommend a small restaurant in the 7th next to Les Invalides "Le Maupertu" very friendly good food and reasonable prices - we also did La Tour D'Argent - while emminently memorable you need a tower of silver to pay the bill. - regarding day trips - driving is OK once you get away from Paris but the periphique can get confusing - try and see the Chateau around Paris, Versailles is very impressive but very crowded - can do day trip via train easily we day tripped on train to Fontainbleu then to Ch Vaux le Vicomte - beautiful not crowded and a lesson in hubris. The Loire is very nice in the spring and summer - cold in winter and fall - Normandy was great - great food and sights. What can I say all of France is beautiful and there is too much to see - don't spread yourself too thin - read some books figure traveling times and costs the weather etc. if you try to speak French they will pity you and speak English - make room reservations early and even dinner and lunch reservations are helpful - which can be made by concierge in hotel. French Hotel reservation system in excellant and available online includes photos comments try the following address http://digital.france.com/hotels<BR>also recommend LaTonnelerie in the Loire - the Tourville in Paris. the Lion D'or in Bayeaux - Good Luck

Most people don't know that they can spent an outstanding visit to France, Italy, Germany, or most anywhere in Europe, and never stop at a city or town that they have ever heard of. Just turn and go, go, go.<BR><BR>(InvitationToTravel.com)

Jim, jim, jim<BR><BR>Each book $15, $40 for all three; includes Tax & postage.<BR>If you are a member, PayPal is acceptable. Otherwise a check mailed to Jim Humberd, 79-409 Horizon Palms Cir, La Quinta, CA 92253, will get the book(s) in the mail immediately. <BR><BR>Time for a mail campaign with one cents postage on it to tell Jim how we feel. He can pay the postage due.<BR>

Scott: <BR>I can't see the sense of renting a car during an 8 day Paris trip--there are enough day trips to choose from that will get you there quicker and with a lot less hassle. My personal favorite is the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.