I am planning a trip to France with my wife perhaps in May. We don't travel much because I am terrified of flying, so I wanted this trip to be special - first class, ultra luxury, money-no-object all the way. I figure 8-10 days, maybe half in Paris and the rest elsewhere. Any ideas on unique or special experiences? As for accomdations, I was planning the George V in Paris. Would it be useful to hire a car and driver in Paris or would that not make sense? And what type of experiences outside Paris might fit the bill for this trip? Winery tours perhaps, private tours? Thanks!

Roland;

You need a tour guide, chauffer, anything?

I would not hire a car and driver in Paris! I would, however, have a car pick me up from the airport and drive me to a special occasion. If you are staying at George V or the like, the hotel can arrange these things. re after- what interests you?

I am curious why a car and driver in Paris is a bad idea? Would we just be sitting in traffic all the time? Is everything walking distance from the hotel?

As for after Paris, perhaps Loire Valley chateau. Definitely Versailles. Maybe Giverney. Is La Rochelle worth the trip? Mont St. Michel?

Wny NOT a car in Paris? First of all, parking is very difficult. Then, traffic is fierce. Given those two facts, why waste your time in driving? Just take taxis or use a car and driver. Some Paris sights will be within walking distance of your hotel, but not all, but a combination of walking and taxis will get you anywhere.

Giverny is worth visiting if you're a Monet or garden fan. Mont St-Michel really needs 2 days; it's a long trip over from Paris. Versailles, on the other hand, can be done nicely in one day by suburban train from Paris. The gardens will be beautiful in the spring.

You might instead spend two days seeing the Loire Valley and then
head down into Burgundy, see Dijon and Beaune, and have a private tour of some of the many excellent wineries and eat at several of the fine restaurants.

La Rochelle is too far to go with the amount of time you have unless it's a town with special meaning to you. In that case, eliminate something else from your itinerary and go down by train.

Car and driver, of course, if money is no object. Who cares about parking or traffic when there's a driver?

I mean, do you expect a royalty to ride the Paris bus or metro? Of course not!

My office has a great view of the entrance of the George V. Just watch yourself when the owner, Prince Al-Waleed, comes storming out regularly with his 8 bodyguards -- they push both commoners and customers out of the way. Meanwhile, he has decided to buy the entire Four Seasons chain, so I guess the Canadian flag will disappear, leaving only the Saudi, French and EU flags.

TTT

If I wanted a high level of guiding and "sheltering" on excursions out into Paris, then I would hire a guide, and travel by taxi with that guide to the various locations, A car and driver is mor expensive, and once he drops you off, you are on your own until he finds a place to park the car to re-join you.

Best wishes,

Rex

I would definitely have a car/driver pick you up at the airport.

And no - Paris is way too big to wlk everywhere - unless you plan on wlking miles nad miles per day. But I would not bother to have a hired car around the city. If you have your own chauffeur/car (that you own and employ permanently) this can work. But if you just hire a car the driver will try to pick up other (unofficial) fares rather than waiting for you outside a museum for 4 hours or a restaurant for 2. (They're not supposed to do this - but most do - and - then sometimes they're not there when you need them.) I would just do cabs from the hotel.

As to what else to see/do. You really need to give us some clues.

You could see part of the Loire and stay in one of the superluxury chateaux resorts.

Or you could train down to the Riviera and stay in one of the super deluxe hotels in Nice or Cannes. There you might want a car/drive to take you on day trips to some of the smaller towns/museums etc.

A car and driver, plus selected guide(s) for selected excursion(s).

A trip to Champagne country and a little Moet et Chandon or some such "magic" and perhaps dinner and a night at LaCrayeres might be something you would enjoy. I've not done that but have read that it's an amazing experience.

Enjoy! Your wife is a very lucky lady! And, you are a very generous man!

joy/luvparee

Hi Roland... IF, you were treating/spoiling me on this trip, I would first hire a first class guide for Paris and co-ordinate with the guide what you wish to see and how best to do it. Such a guide will cost you from $150-$300 per day. If you get a good one, he/she will dramatically increase your enjoyment and experience in the city.

My wife was ill when we went to Paris. We were fortunate to have a guide who was sensitive to her situation and the result was a wonderful visit for both of us. The guide met us at the hotel in the morning, discussed in general terms the plan for the day, and stayed with us as long as we wished. We made a few requests but mostly left the planning to the guide. It was a great success.

May is a perfect time to be in France. Have a great trip.

If I were you I'd look for a Virtuoso travel agent.... or some other high end agent. We usually do all our own planning but on one complicated trip an agent was a life saver.