I want to bring my mom to France as she has never visited this beautiful country before. I plan to do a 1 week trip but I realize it will be very rushed. I just want to take her to the highlights of France. Paris is a given. But where should I bring her after: Cote d'Azur, Provence, Loire Valley? She loves food, little cute shops, exploring and wants to really feel like she's in another country.

Hi, <BR><BR>when are you going?<BR><BR>If you are giving yourself one week for Paris and XXX, I would maybe not go down to the coast as it will take a while to get there.<BR><BR>are you driving? if so, the Loire chateaux are maybe 3 or so hours from Paris. If by train, Provence (Avignon) is about 3 or so hours by train, more to drive.<BR><BR>I do not see how you could go wrong with either Provence or the Loire valley. The Loire would have more castles, both areas have a lot of wineries. <BR><BR>Beth

In just one week, but wanting more than Paris, I'd opt for a driving trip spending one night at Mount St. Michel, stopping at Honfleur and maybe Rouen, or even Giverny on the way, then down to Loire Valley for one or two nights and exploring some of the chateaux. Three nights is the most I could imagine giving up from the week in Paris, only leaving you four nights there.

Every year we go to Paris and plan to go somewhere else for a night or two.We still haven't managed to tear ourselves away from the city of Paris~if you feel you must, I would take a train to Chartres for the day, giving yourselves the treat of seeing the Cathedral,wander the town,eat lunch, and maybe shop,then back to Paris! How nice to go to Paris with your mom,I would love to take that trip with my daughter..c

With only 7 days I wouldn't go running around the country. Paris is still the jewel of France and 7 days is not very much to even begin to see everything. Why not stay in Paris and if you want to go to another town, take the RER to St Germain-en-Laye, a charming little town to walk around. Or take a day trip to Giverny or Chartres or one of the other places easy to get to. For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

Stay in Paris the whole time, and take a daytrip to Versailles one day and another day trip to the Loire Valley another day (you can take the train to both).