travel help

[iris]

Good morning

I would really appreciate some assistance in planning a trip to France. My wife and I are going end December for seventeen days.

We have already factored in approximately 4 days in Paris to start with. After that we would like to work our way down to the south of France, (the middle to eastern side, via Burgundy). Previous trips to Europe were very hectic due to us moving from one city to another every day or two. This time we would rather like to establish three or four bases as we travel, from where we would make daily excursions to places of interest – and so move downwards at a leisurely pace.

Other than the really “must-see” tourist spots, we prefer to go in search of beautiful scenery, little villages, strolling through the old parts of cities, castles, generally soaking up the atmosphere etc. and not too much museums etc.

We have not decided on transport yet, either taking the train from one base to another and using trains/buses for our daily excursion – or renting a car. We’ll probably take a plane or high-speed train back to Paris at the end.

Any suggestions as to the general route I could take down from Paris, with a few suggestions to which cities could be used as a base for the area would be very helpful! I am not sure, for instance, if it is worth taking a detour via Strasbourg on our way down. I just want to be sure that we don’t miss any of the truly must-see cities/villages.

Thanks very much!

Shaun

[Jenny]

Hi Shaun and welcome to our forum.

Someone on here is bound to have the answers for you.

[Rob]

Hi Shaun and welcome from me too. You'll have a terrible job deciding, there's so much beautiful countryside to see. We've got a whole heap of info and photos of the countryside coming later in the year
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Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing!

[Marcus]

Hi Shaun...


It seems you'll have great time coming... (even if December is not the best period for such trip). I'll try to answear in my point of view...

First, you spoke of Strasbourg. It's abviously a very beautifull city, but in December (from the 8 to 24) it overcrowded by peaple coming for "Strasbourg Christmas Market". It's typical fest of this city, known everywhere in France, but (as i've been there once for such occasion) it's terribly difficult to find it's own space. But ut's abviously beautifull.

Because of the period you travell there, i would not go in very tiny village (as if it rains as it does most of the time in December, it could be very unenjoying). But, admitting you still want it, i recommend some places (mainly in South as i'm from there) listed from north west to south :
- Dijon (i've been there twice, and found it very very pretty ; the old city is mainly the most interesting point after the castle). Not far, you can find many great French wines ( Nuit St Georges, Seurre, Beaune...) in its beautifull landscape.
- "Fontaine de Vaucluse" and "Isle sur la Sorgue" : Two village not far from Avignon. This area is a must-be-seen of South, due to its past (middle age town well conserved) and landscape (one of the most reputed in France). Not too far, you'll find Orange and "Vaison la Romaine" with its Roman buildings. Near too, you'd have "Chateauneuf du Pape", a great red French wine.
- "Les beaux de Provence", a tiny village typical of the old south. Not far, you have the village of "Saint Rémy de Provence" (bigger than the first one) rather typical too from where you can discover not too far "Camargue". Region of countryside, with kind of ranch (don't know if you use this term even in English). Interesting spot of this region, Baucaire,
- "Aix en Provence" : renown with reasons. Let's have a walk in the mountain just above (Ste Victoire) to discover the vegetation of the place... Both are my favorite in South.
- Many village near the sea, even if the season is not appropriated. All is oppened mostly during week ends, and you can discover French Riviera without thousands of vacationers The one i'll recommand : Cassis, St Cyr, Giens 'near island' (), Ramatuelle, St Raphael, Ste Maxime...

I know you didn't want "must see spots", but, if you like countryside, it's so easy to found some... and in December there enough few peaple to get these spot (in my opinion). Nevertheless, i ca give you places without of interest but rather beautifull landscape if you want near Lyon, Avignon, Marseille and French Riviera.
Lastly : Do you planned to visit Versailles ?

Firendly (and with my awfull froggy English)
Marcus.
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Semper Fidelem

[Rob]

What a lovely helpful post. Thanks Marcus
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Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing!

[Marcus]

You're welcome, it's a pleasure.
Just ask, i'll try to answear...
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Semper Fidelem