France in November - ideas other than Paris

[Anonymous]

We’re going on a family trip to France in November with my 10 and 7 year old. We’ll spend a few days in Paris but need a second place to visit- not another city, preferably someplace a little more outdoors/relaxed. Think like a castle with cool villages to explore, and maybe do a few wineries (my kids are well behaved and my dad who doesn’t drink can watch them). I thought about southern France but it looks too cold to do beaches. The only area we don’t want is Provence since we were there recently. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Where in Provence did you go? It's a big area, and the logical place based on your desires, in November. It won't be warm but won't be cold, and while many places will be closed, there will be a few open.

Anywhere further north will probably be pretty unpleasant weather-wise.

[Anonymous]

French here. November is the worst time to visit, it's cold and rainy, and Christmas decor may not be up yet. No Thanksgiving. But if you're sure, then I would just embrace the grey and go to Mont St Michel, if you can get hotel rooms on the Mont itself (very hard). It's priceless to get up in the morning before the hordes come in, and walk about that unique site!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:French here. November is the worst time to visit, it's cold and rainy, and Christmas decor may not be up yet. No Thanksgiving. But if you're sure, then I would just embrace the grey and go to Mont St Michel, if you can get hotel rooms on the Mont itself (very hard). It's priceless to get up in the morning before the hordes come in, and walk about that unique site!

+1. Absolutely…the November weather is the perfect setting for Mont St Michel, and OP it’s a site your kids will never forget.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the Christmas markets start opening around November 20th or so, if you’re going toward the end of the month. Strasbourg is nice, the cathedral is amazing, and you could see the villages around there.

Strasbourg has a great tram system around the town and it even goes to the small German village across the river. That little town has a really lovely Christmas markets, with live music on weekend days.

[Anonymous]

The Loire Valley. Cheverney (Tintin museum), Chenonceau, Loches on market day (dungeons and old town), Chambord, Leonardo da Vinci at Amboise.

[Anonymous]

Yes Mont St. Michel and Normandy. stay in Bayeux and do the WWII sites

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes Mont St. Michel and Normandy. stay in Bayeux and do the WWII sites

+1. We were there in the spring but my kids loved Bayeux and the WWII sites.

[Anonymous]

A long time ago I was in Annecy—it was lovely and quaint! Not sure what it’s like now, but worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux. Drink. Thats all there is to do in France that time of year.

[Anonymous]

What about Avignon and area? I had looked at that with my kids because the medieval stuff looked very cool.

[Anonymous]

We were in Normandy and Bayeux in April, and it was amazing. We had such a good time driving around looking at WW2 sites and walking around Bayeux. I'm not sure what the weather would be like in November though, but it might be a nice addition if you decide to go to Mont St Michel. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to do what we wanted in Normandy and go to MSM. As a FYI, the Bayeux Tapestry museum will be closed starting in September for a couple of years for renovation.