Hello Fodorites,
Looking for some advice, suggestions again from the experienced and expert travelers. We're going to France June 2019 for Women's world cup games. The first 2 games are in Reims and Paris. Myself, wife, daughters age 29 and 16 will meet other family (between 2 and 6 others TBD). Looking at perhaps renting a villa between Reims and Paris, wondering what this area of France has to see and experience. We're mostly nature lovers, and definitely not shoppers, natural museums but not art. Historical yes, cultural somewhat. From Paris it might be just my wife and myself possibly headed to the Dordogne region for another week or so.
Thanks in advance!

I presume by "villa" you mean a chateau? Or a large country estate? At least those are cheaper there than they would be in Provence in high season, that's for sure. You can probably get one for $500 a night or even less.

like this?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6846719
or https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/30103208

I guess you know that area is known for champagne, other than that, WW battle history, of course. They make some wine, also, of course. It's flattish or slight hills, agricultural land, and a lot of the NE is rather unremarkable industrial areas, especially metallurgy or automobiles. It's not a particularly wealthy area, either.

Hi Christina,
Thanks for the air bnb links which as you mentioned are extremely reasonable for a larger group. It seems that Reims region is really not the most fascinating part of France although we are interested to check out both the champagne and the World War I and II battle history and sites. Because of my 16 yo, summer job, our travel dates (with respect to games and timing), are not the greatest. At the moment, as we have visited Paris once, I'm thinking of arriving June 7 and taking the TGV to Belgium. We would have a few days there and then to Reims (apparently through Paris) again on the TGV for the first game on June 11. I did find 1 or 2 air bnb large enough for us right in Reims. Since the World Cup schedule is just recently announced, I think bookings will likely be taken soon if we don't act.

The next game on the 16th is in Paris so we might spend several days in the City of Light. From there, I'm thinking of going to the famous south of France to see the Dordogne.
John

So we've come up with a tentative itinerary, hoping for some good suggestions:
Tentative Schedule:
~ June 10 / 11 - Arrive London from USA
June 15 - Eurostar London to Paris $77 / $155 Depart Noon London Arrive Paris 15:17
June 15 - June 20 - Accommodations Paris: Home rental for brother's family and ours (5 nights)
June 16 US Women's team game Paris
June 20 - TGV Paris to Le Havre 15/20 Euro Depart Paris St. Lazare 12:46 Arrive Le Havre 14:55
June 20 US Women's team game Le Havre
June 30 - Accomdations Hôtel Des Phares, Sainte-Adresse (multiple rooms tentative booking for 1 night)
June 21 - TGV Le Havre to Lyon (?) via Paris (~5 hours with 1 connection) 60/69 Euro
Car Rental (AutoEurope?)
Chambery (?)
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (?)
June 27 - TGV Lyon to Paris
June 28 or 29 US Women's team game Paris or Rennes
June 20 - Depart Paris for USA

Perhaps that is a June 30th departure for home?

I say this as someone who has been to two men’s world cups and one women’s. Half the fun is before and after the game. It looks like you will be arriving mid-afternoon on the 20th. Will that give you enough time to enjoy the festivities?

Looks like the game is at 9 pm so you are probably ok. I know I would still try and get to town early in the day. I suspect both teams will have qualified for the next round at that point. That should make for an especially fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Thanks xcountry, Yes departing Paris for US on or about June 30. The "Edit" function doesn't seem to edit when I tried it.

That's a good tip to arrive earlier for the US Sweden game in Le Havre. We are traveling with my rather affluent brother that has gone to many, many men's and some women's world cups. At the moment, the problem seems that the US allotment of tickets is out - according to my brother with more to come out some time.