If you go anywhere in France for a week, where would you go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! I like the idea of taking the train to Aix-en-Provence, or somewhere nearby, and then renting a car to explore. Maybe two or three nights in Paris, and then four or five in Provence.

I did look up the hotels a few posters suggested - they look gorgeous, sigh… - but they had no availability on my dates (June 1). Any other recs for hotels or itineraries?

They probably just haven't extended their calendars out to mid-2023 yet. It's really doubtful they are booked up 10 months in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! I like the idea of taking the train to Aix-en-Provence, or somewhere nearby, and then renting a car to explore. Maybe two or three nights in Paris, and then four or five in Provence.

I did look up the hotels a few posters suggested - they look gorgeous, sigh… - but they had no availability on my dates (June 1). Any other recs for hotels or itineraries?

They probably just haven't extended their calendars out to mid-2023 yet. It's really doubtful they are booked up 10 months in advance.

This was my thought as well.

[Anonymous]

Make it 9-10 days if you want to leave Paris and really enjoy yourselves.

I would start in Paris 2-3 days, take the TGV train to Avignon, rent the car in Avignon and then 2-3 nights in one of the Luberon villages like Roussillon, Gordes or Menerbes. Or just outside of one of the villages if you prefer to spread out on some land. Then village hop by car for a few days. Next head to Aix on Provence for two nights. One day exploring Aix. One day doing winery tour. Return rental car to Avignon. One last night in Paris before flying out the next day. You could do hotels, but honestly I love Airbnbs in Provence because you can shop the markets for amazing fresh food to eat at home. Make sure to take a look at the market schedule for the various villages as that's a fun way to plan an itinerary. Most have a market day 1-2 times a week. Lourmarin is one of my favorite villages. L'Isle sur la Sorgue has a big and famous market on Sundays and a lot of interesting antique stores. Roussillon has the ochre cliffs to explore.

Depending on the time of year, I would also consider:
Paris/Lyon/Annecy
Paris/Strasbourg/Alsace Wine Route
Paris/Normandy road trip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make it 9-10 days if you want to leave Paris and really enjoy yourselves.

I would start in Paris 2-3 days, take the TGV train to Avignon, rent the car in Avignon and then 2-3 nights in one of the Luberon villages like Roussillon, Gordes or Menerbes. Or just outside of one of the villages if you prefer to spread out on some land. Then village hop by car for a few days. Next head to Aix on Provence for two nights. One day exploring Aix. One day doing winery tour. Return rental car to Avignon. One last night in Paris before flying out the next day. You could do hotels, but honestly I love Airbnbs in Provence because you can shop the markets for amazing fresh food to eat at home. Make sure to take a look at the market schedule for the various villages as that's a fun way to plan an itinerary. Most have a market day 1-2 times a week. Lourmarin is one of my favorite villages. L'Isle sur la Sorgue has a big and famous market on Sundays and a lot of interesting antique stores. Roussillon has the ochre cliffs to explore.

Depending on the time of year, I would also consider:
Paris/Lyon/Annecy
Paris/Strasbourg/Alsace Wine Route
Paris/Normandy road trip

Great advice here- we spent 4 nights in the Luberon and loved it. In November though a lot of places will be closed- April-October is the full season, mostly. Also, might be able to fly in/out of Marseille and avoid the added land transit from Paris. There are some great bnbs in the area also that are simple but very nice and around $100/night, in between Avignon and L'Isle Sur La Sorgue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make it 9-10 days if you want to leave Paris and really enjoy yourselves.

I would start in Paris 2-3 days, take the TGV train to Avignon, rent the car in Avignon and then 2-3 nights in one of the Luberon villages like Roussillon, Gordes or Menerbes. Or just outside of one of the villages if you prefer to spread out on some land. Then village hop by car for a few days. Next head to Aix on Provence for two nights. One day exploring Aix. One day doing winery tour. Return rental car to Avignon. One last night in Paris before flying out the next day. You could do hotels, but honestly I love Airbnbs in Provence because you can shop the markets for amazing fresh food to eat at home. Make sure to take a look at the market schedule for the various villages as that's a fun way to plan an itinerary. Most have a market day 1-2 times a week. Lourmarin is one of my favorite villages. L'Isle sur la Sorgue has a big and famous market on Sundays and a lot of interesting antique stores. Roussillon has the ochre cliffs to explore.

Depending on the time of year, I would also consider:
Paris/Lyon/Annecy
Paris/Strasbourg/Alsace Wine Route
Paris/Normandy road trip

Great advice here- we spent 4 nights in the Luberon and loved it. In November though a lot of places will be closed- April-October is the full season, mostly. Also, might be able to fly in/out of Marseille and avoid the added land transit from Paris. There are some great bnbs in the area also that are simple but very nice and around $100/night, in between Avignon and L'Isle Sur La Sorgue.

Thanks to both of you. We have credits from a canceled trip during covid, and have to fly into Paris. After France, we have to make our way to London, where we are going to spend another week. So unfortunately I don’t have all the time in the world, but even a taste of Provence or, as you both are suggesting, the area around Annecy, would make me happy. We will be renting car, so if we stay somewhere in Provence for 5 nights, is a day trip to Annecy possible? I’d prefer to stay in one location and just noodle around and explore the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved Annecy

+1

Did not like Aix - maybe people got my expectations too high. Found it very busy and the opposite of charming.

Loved Nimes and Orange. The kids might enjoy Carcassonne. It’s a bit touristy but legit fortified castle and the streets and alleyways are fun to get lost in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make it 9-10 days if you want to leave Paris and really enjoy yourselves.

I would start in Paris 2-3 days, take the TGV train to Avignon, rent the car in Avignon and then 2-3 nights in one of the Luberon villages like Roussillon, Gordes or Menerbes. Or just outside of one of the villages if you prefer to spread out on some land. Then village hop by car for a few days. Next head to Aix on Provence for two nights. One day exploring Aix. One day doing winery tour. Return rental car to Avignon. One last night in Paris before flying out the next day. You could do hotels, but honestly I love Airbnbs in Provence because you can shop the markets for amazing fresh food to eat at home. Make sure to take a look at the market schedule for the various villages as that's a fun way to plan an itinerary. Most have a market day 1-2 times a week. Lourmarin is one of my favorite villages. L'Isle sur la Sorgue has a big and famous market on Sundays and a lot of interesting antique stores. Roussillon has the ochre cliffs to explore.

Depending on the time of year, I would also consider:
Paris/Lyon/Annecy
Paris/Strasbourg/Alsace Wine Route
Paris/Normandy road trip

Great advice here- we spent 4 nights in the Luberon and loved it. In November though a lot of places will be closed- April-October is the full season, mostly. Also, might be able to fly in/out of Marseille and avoid the added land transit from Paris. There are some great bnbs in the area also that are simple but very nice and around $100/night, in between Avignon and L'Isle Sur La Sorgue.

Thanks to both of you. We have credits from a canceled trip during covid, and have to fly into Paris. After France, we have to make our way to London, where we are going to spend another week. So unfortunately I don’t have all the time in the world, but even a taste of Provence or, as you both are suggesting, the area around Annecy, would make me happy. We will be renting car, so if we stay somewhere in Provence for 5 nights, is a day trip to Annecy possible? I’d prefer to stay in one location and just noodle around and explore the area.

Day trip- not really, you basically have to go up to Lyon and then east- big mountains in between. Annecy is fantastic also. Can't go wrong either way. Realized this is in June and not November (confused with other post).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved Annecy

+1

Did not like Aix - maybe people got my expectations too high. Found it very busy and the opposite of charming.

Loved Nimes and Orange. The kids might enjoy Carcassonne. It’s a bit touristy but legit fortified castle and the streets and alleyways are fun to get lost in.

Good to know, thank you. Getting lost in streets & alleyways is what we’re after.

[Anonymous]

We loved this hotel just outside of Gordes: https://www.jasdegordes.com/

Also recommend visiting the Pont du Gard—amazing Roman aqueduct/bridge. Bring bathing suits, as you can swim in the river that flows underneath.

We didn’t make it there, but heard great things about Les Calanques outside of Marseilles—beautiful seaside cliffs for hiking and boating.

[Anonymous]

Corsica is one of the best places I've ever visited.

[Anonymous]

It’s been many years since I was there, but the Burgundy region is beautiful. We stayed in Beaune but made it to Dijon as well. Lots of amazing wine and food!

[Anonymous]

NP. What if you don’t want to rent a car? So, if you have a week, are flying in and out of Paris, and want to spend 2-3 days in an idyllic city/town that you can take the train to and stay in without needing a car…what would folks recommend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. What if you don’t want to rent a car? So, if you have a week, are flying in and out of Paris, and want to spend 2-3 days in an idyllic city/town that you can take the train to and stay in without needing a car…what would folks recommend?

So many good options. I would add on one of the next tier cities.

Lyon
Bordeaux
Toulouse
Strasbourg
Lille

They’re all so different. Research and see which one you fancy. I personally adore Lyon. It’s an incredible food city, fascinating history and very different vibe from Paris. Only about 2 hours by train from Paris.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make it 9-10 days if you want to leave Paris and really enjoy yourselves.

I would start in Paris 2-3 days, take the TGV train to Avignon, rent the car in Avignon and then 2-3 nights in one of the Luberon villages like Roussillon, Gordes or Menerbes. Or just outside of one of the villages if you prefer to spread out on some land. Then village hop by car for a few days. Next head to Aix on Provence for two nights. One day exploring Aix. One day doing winery tour. Return rental car to Avignon. One last night in Paris before flying out the next day. You could do hotels, but honestly I love Airbnbs in Provence because you can shop the markets for amazing fresh food to eat at home. Make sure to take a look at the market schedule for the various villages as that's a fun way to plan an itinerary. Most have a market day 1-2 times a week. Lourmarin is one of my favorite villages. L'Isle sur la Sorgue has a big and famous market on Sundays and a lot of interesting antique stores. Roussillon has the ochre cliffs to explore.

Depending on the time of year, I would also consider:
Paris/Lyon/Annecy
Paris/Strasbourg/Alsace Wine Route
Paris/Normandy road trip

Great advice here- we spent 4 nights in the Luberon and loved it. In November though a lot of places will be closed- April-October is the full season, mostly. Also, might be able to fly in/out of Marseille and avoid the added land transit from Paris. There are some great bnbs in the area also that are simple but very nice and around $100/night, in between Avignon and L'Isle Sur La Sorgue.

Thanks to both of you. We have credits from a canceled trip during covid, and have to fly into Paris. After France, we have to make our way to London, where we are going to spend another week. So unfortunately I don’t have all the time in the world, but even a taste of Provence or, as you both are suggesting, the area around Annecy, would make me happy. We will be renting car, so if we stay somewhere in Provence for 5 nights, is a day trip to Annecy possible? I’d prefer to stay in one location and just noodle around and explore the area.

I’d save Annecy for another trip. There is so much to do and see in Provence alone. I’ve been multiple times and still haven’t been to all of the villages and sights I’d like to explore. If Aix doesn’t appeal to you, I would take a day trip to Cassis and go see the calanques by boat or hiking. Just absolutely gorgeous. You could also spend more time in Avignon as another poster suggested. Or go see Gorges du Verdon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. What if you don’t want to rent a car? So, if you have a week, are flying in and out of Paris, and want to spend 2-3 days in an idyllic city/town that you can take the train to and stay in without needing a car…what would folks recommend?

So many good options. I would add on one of the next tier cities.

Lyon
Bordeaux
Toulouse
Strasbourg
Lille

They’re all so different. Research and see which one you fancy. I personally adore Lyon. It’s an incredible food city, fascinating history and very different vibe from Paris. Only about 2 hours by train from Paris.

Thank you!