we are planning to drive through france - two couples in our fifties enjoy food %26amp; wine and want to get a good look around france as we haven%26#39;t been before.
We have never been to europe before and are planning our first trip for July 06.
We are planning on getting the train from Barcelona to Perpignan and want to drive over a week to get to Paris - through avignon, lyon, dijon, and the loire valley. Does this sound like a logical itinery and is it enough time? Where would be the most important places or best places to stay? Are we best to book our accomodation in advance as we will be travelling in the 2nd week of July. We would ideally like to drive for 2 - 3 hours per day and stay a night in each place arriving in Paris on Friday 16th July.
Any suggestions would be very welcome and help with suggested towns %26amp; places to stay at would be great! Would it be easier to get the train from Barcelona straight to Avignon and start our driving after our night here? Would love any help!!!
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My advise would be to take the train from Barcelona to Avignon if you are not thinking of stopping anywhere in between.If you want to see Provence you have to allow at least 2 days.The drive to Lyon will only take you 2 hours from Avignon by motorway. Then the rest of the trip calling at Dijon or the smaller villages ie Nuit St George, Givry Chambertin if you want to visit the caves (vinyards) After the Loire (A good drive) and then on to Paris. It is absolutely essential you book you accomodation at this time at the season is by then in full swing!If you need any further help contact me at ann@lescarmes.com (I am based in Isle sur la Sorgue in Provence (15mins from Avignon) Good Luck
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Thanks so much for your advice!
So just to summarise it would be a good idea to
1. train to avignon, pick up rental car - 2 nights here to explore Provence
2. Drive to Lyon (2 hours) and have 2 nights here
3. Drive to Dijon (how long would this take?) and have 2 nights here - would you suggest staying in Dijon itself or are there some nice villages / towns here that would be good to stay at?
4. Drive to Loire Valley (how long would this drive be as well) - thinking of staying at Manoir Les Minimes in Amboise for 2 or 3 nights as a base to explore the area. Then train to Paris to arrive on Thursday 13/7 (is it Bastille Day on the 14/7?)
Do you think this sounds like a nice trip and will not be too rushed %26amp; give us enough time to see the different regions?
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For a idea of how long each journey will take, go on www.viamichelin.com.
We%26#39;ve always found them accurate. We often decide how long we want to drive for %26amp; then look for a place in the vicinity.
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I am writing this from the Luberon Valley which is east of Avignon, and naturally I think you should spend the whole time here. Nevertheless, to see Provence you might book into an hotel either in or near St. Remy-de-Provence, which is central to doing a bit of touring through our beautiful region. The must-see list (and sorry folks, but Avignon isn%26#39;t really on it)...
the Pont du Gard (on the west side across the Rhone about a half-hour from Avignon)
Arles (museums, Van Gogh territory) lots of Roman ruins including a wonderful Roman arena where bull fighting is held sometimes (the bull lives)
Aix-en-Provence, a shady haven of a university town that is one of France%26#39;s most stately and charming cities. Read Two Towns in Provence by MFK Fischer.
If you have additional time, come out to the Luberon to the gorgeous mideval hill towns such as Menerbes (read A Year in Provence), LaCoste, Bonnieux, and Roussillon.
Les Baux south of St. Remy.
St Remy%26#39;s marvelous market day is Wed. morn.
On the way north (I am not sure why you want to go to Lyon)...you can visit the Burgundy wine towns (Beaune is especially nice)..Dijon is much bigger and harder to navigate. Or leaving Provence you could visit the Cotes du Rhone towns (most stop at Chateauneuf de Pape but I prefer the villages around Gigondas and Vacqueras.
NOTE PLEASE Your trip will include a fete during the 14th of July celebrations (France%26#39;s fourth of July type). Things will be open partly, but there is that French people on vacation thing. YES to restaurants and dancing in the sts., possibly no to supermarkets and museums. Our village has a dinner with dancing/DJ or band..in our square. It is always marvelous--everywhere has something special the night of the 14th-so plan ahead so you can join in the fun.
I agree to go from Barcelona to Avignon by train..and stay awake for the Montpellier-Avignon part-great scenery.
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I agree with maisonrose. Spend more time in Provence and skip the Lyon stop. St. Remy would be an excellent location to easily get out to other points recommended. But I would include a visit to Avignon.
Tom
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I recently drove thru much of France starting in Paris then to Barcelona then to Venice and back to Paris. If you%26#39;re planning on starting in Perpignan. I have a suggestion based on the best part of my families trip. You would already be in the Cathar region and could go north instead starting with a close-by and fascinating town (and largest walled city in Europe) -- Carcassonne. If you do -- read up on the interesting history of the area. Stay as close to the citadel as possible (as the main town area seems a bit too run-down). Worthy of a couple days stay. Then proceed north to the equally fascinating Dordogne region. Read-up some more. This, the birthplace of homo-sapiens, is full of unique and beautiful things such as the little town of Sarlat (a good and fun central location to visit numerous sights). Sarlat is a beautiful little ancient storybook-like town made of the orange-ish local stone into artfully designed houses and buildings. A true old-world experience. The nearby villages thruout the area all have their own stories as do the numerous Cathar and Renaisance castles. The many paleolithic and crystalline caves thruout the area offer are some incredible sights. This area will keep you busy for a week. Then onto the Loire with all its many obvious sights -- good for 3 days or so. The best castle -#1 Chambord --- #2 Chonanceau -- and then the worst is the so-called %26quot;sleeping beauty%26quot; (but really %26quot;cheesey%26quot;) castle called: Chateau Usse. To tell you the truth, I (and my family) found Avignon area to be the least favorite of all the many places we visited over the month we were there. P.S. make sure you understand the correct fuel type (in French) to put in your vehicle and carry at least $150 euro cash with you (traffic fines are paid on the spot directly to the officer) while you%26#39;re driving and 20 euros or so in coins for the many toll booths you%26#39;ll be passing thru. Happy Trails.
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P.P.S. forgot to mention the most important potential event you could experience -- July 14th in Carcassonne -- reportedly the best fireworks show in all of Europe, do to its unique setting (the great walled city as a backdrop) -- Google %26quot;carcassonne fireworks pictures%26quot; to get an idea.
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As I said in my first post, I think that the Luberon is a must and I would say that to stay somewhere arround Isle sur sorgue is better than St Remy.Of course St Remy and Les Beaux are a must to visit but to treck everyday from there to go to Gordes, Rousillion, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Opede, Menerbes, Apt, Sault and the lavender fields is too far! You will waist time.Where I am is also only 15 - 20 mins to the ancient walls of Avignon. The road from St Remy into Avignon is not good at that time of the year.Just remember you are in high season and everything takes a bit longer!
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Also remember that the very popular Tour de France takes place in July - hotels near the route will be booked, roads closed at times, crowds heavy. Just check www.letour.fr for the route and dates. I would leave the car before arriving in Paris and take the train - no need to have a car in Paris! Have a great time!
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Maisonrose...are you still there? My family %26amp; I...total of 7..4 being children from 14-4 would like to rent a villa, farmhouse, something in the country...next Sept. 2007. Do you have any suggestions as to the best place to base ourselves. Would a week in Paris %26amp; a week in Provence be too much. I guess it all depends on how much running around we try to do. Thats not a good idea, I know. Would rather be in the country than in a town. Any suggestions? Woyuld appreciate it. Thanks
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