...where would you go?
Next April I will be spending some time sailing around Tunisia with my father. My husband and I have decided that on my way home to the US, he will fly to Paris and meet me, and we will spend a few days somewhere in France. The question is - where to go? I will be honest and say I know NOTHING about France (except that I like the wine and don%26#39;t like the cheese). Paris doesn%26#39;t actually hold much interest for me - he%26#39;ll spend a couple days seeing the museums before we meet, which is good, as I am a complete troglodyte when it comes to fine art. We tend to prefer smaller cities and towns/villages rather than large cities; we like the mountains AND the coast. We like to hike, visit wineries, and I love architecture (the older the better). We prefer small, intimate inns to large fancy hotels. We love to eat, but I am a vegetarian and very allergic to fish. We prefer to take it slow, rather than race around trying to see anything. Car rental is always an option, though we prefer to travel by train.
Given all that - any suggestions on an area of France we might like to visit for a few days, before we return to the rat race?
Many thanks!!
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While deferring to those more knowledgeable, I think the Loire Valley might be worth considering.
There is so much to do there - including visiting troglodyte caves, lol!!
There are some wonderful small villages, some lovely towns, some great architecture in the chateaux and obviously some spectacular wineries.
The following chateaux are ones I like a lot:
Chambord (near Blois). The Leonardo da Vinci designed double helix staircase is something else. Great fun to play hide and seek in if there aren%26#39;t too many people about.
Cheverny - This produces its own wine that is sold from the chateau (as well as being available in supermarches etc). The family are still involved in the running of it and there is a level of intimacy and connection with the people involved.
Chenonceau. This is beautiful. The long room over the bridge tells such a sad story. While Usse may claim to be the original Sleeping Beauty castle, I think this is much nicer.
Vilandry. Incredible gardens. A very strong human story in the family tale of Joachim de Cavalhos and his American wife Anne Coleman (please excuse my spelling).
Valencay - This Napoleonic castle again has so much drama in the walls. The caves in the gardens are so wierd... You can feel the cold emanating from them as you walk close to them.
There are some beautiful villages in the area outlined in this book, which we used while we were in France last month:
amazon.com/Undiscovered-France-Insiders-Beau…
If you hire a car, then driving along the Loire river is really lovely. The Loir river is also beautiful. (Yes, they are two different rivers)
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Sorry - I forgot to mention the town and the wine of Chinon.
Beautiful, beautiful town, fab, fab wine. A definate must-see.
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Now really, beanalainn, have you just been everywhere? You gave me so much great advice for Ireland, and now France??? :)
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Yankee Travelr,
If I could I would love to live in France.
We spent 3 1/2 weeks there last month and we were also there at the end of May-beginning of June.
It is an incredibly diverse country with some wonderful people and the weather is better than in Ireland ;o) And the wine is pretty good as well!!
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Any other suggestions out there?
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Hi there,
Just read great advice from %26quot;Ireland%26quot;.
As a student, I studied in Tours - the centre of the Loire Valley - and it is indeed most beautiful - cannot fault anything that was said.
As you asked for other suggestions - we spend a great deal of time in the Dordogne and Lot region.
The towns are truly picturebook - could give you a long list of them - known for its great food and beautiful countryside.You do only have three days but you could see the highlights within this time period
The region is considerably further south from Paris than the Loire - a train would get you there in several hours though - or you could fly to Toulouse or Bergerac.
If you want more details please let me know.
Best regards.
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I agree -- the Loire would be a good choice.
And don%26#39;t toss out the cheese -- unless you%26#39;ve been here, and actually tried REAL cheeses from REAL producers (not off an assembly line) you cannot judge French cheeses.
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If ytou like mountains and coast then Nice is your small city =]
Easy access to the mountains and along the coast by train , lots of beautiful mediaeval villages surround Nice and there is easy access from paris by train or plane.
Nice has amazing and very diverse architecture- its on medieval old town, Roman amphitheatre and town remains , lots of amazing art deco and belle epoch buildings
I would advise using public transportfrom Nice becaus ethe transpoort links are so good and cheap.
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Without a doubt, I would find a place in Brantome and just hang out. Lots of cool places close that make fun day trips too. Actually, almost anywhere in the Dordogne holds some appeal....
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