My children need wine! Looking for France travel tips
It's that time of the year where I start getting the itch to travel, and need to start planning our family vacation. Since the US dollar is strong, an the Euro is relatively affordable, we were thinking of going to southern France (most likely Provence or similar) in late May/early June for about 3 weeks.
The thing is, since I've never been to this part of the country, I really have no idea where exactly to stay or what to see. Everyone says Provence is beautiful, and it sure looks like it, but I need to start getting specific. So I'm wondering if anyone here has any thoughts on specific towns, hotels/b&bs, from anyone who's been there.
Roughly, we'd like to do 1 week city (Paris, since we'd probably fly there), 1 week country (some type of picturesque village/farm/agro-tour situation between Paris and the coast), and 1 week by water (a friend recommended Cassis?).
Since we have a child, we've found that it's easier when we have a home base that you can then roam around from, as opposed to hop from place to place every day or two. Any ideas what some good home-bases would be in that part of France? We're looking for a relatively relaxed pace.
Also, in terms of driving from Paris to, say, Nice or Arles, is there a scenic route on the way down? Are there any good towns/regions along the way that would be good to stay in?
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We stayed in Aix down south and travelled around a bit in that region. It is pretty decent and after that we spend two nights in Nice. From my experience the Nice/Cannes/Monaco is very congested and driving to visit different places is not easy (especially parking.)
I've heard that Sete is a great place to go if you want to hang out on the beach in a quiet and less pretentious environment.
Last edited by calgarygeologist; 04-07-2015 at 11:13 AM.
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We spent three weeks in France when my daughter was 8 months old, one week of it being in Avignon. I'd recommend 3-4 days in Avignon, a week was a bit too long, though if you have a car, you could easily do some nice day trips from there. We only did one mini-bus tour (Arles, Orange, brief stop in CNP), should have done a second, but everything was booked up when we tried.
RE: Having a car: the only warning I'll give you is that Avignon has the narrowest "streets" I've ever seen and I've been in a bunch of European cities. Dear lord, it was scary driving there and parking is an absolute premium inside the walls. For accommodation, we rented an apartment inside the walls and it was great. This was three years ago now, but if you'd like, PM me and I can see if I can find the rental details.
Have fun! We have travelled the world with our now 3 year old and have zero regrets.
We really enjoyed Nice, and if you have time and a vehicle it is well worth the short drive up the coast to Monaco for a day. We stayed here: http://lesaintpaul-hotel.fr/
becuase it was a bit more affordable and had car parking. It is about a 25 minute walk to the old town area though, but there is the cutest little bus that shuttles along the coast to the beach/old town. The hike up the nearby hill is worth the view.
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We're going to Paris and Normandy in late June and early July. Please post after you've been there as I'm looking for ideas, too. I'm avoiding the U.S. for travel but the exchange on the Euro is acceptable, plus we've been to France. I've managed to find a lady who lives near me who grew up on Normandy who is advising me; she's a terrific resource.
Lived in Nice for a year, best advice I can give you is don't spend a week in Paris. 2-3 Days tops. Saint Tropez/Cannes are really nice, I personally always went to Cannes to shop for clothes (not along the beach though, go a few streets in and find really good deals), nice beach there. Vieux Nice is great to check out, and Massena where lot of shops are and make sure to climb Mt. Boron while in Nice if you do go there, unbelievable views of both sides of Nice.
Lived in Nice for a year, best advice I can give you is don't spend a week in Paris. 2-3 Days tops. Saint Tropez/Cannes are really nice, I personally always went to Cannes to shop for clothes (not along the beach though, go a few streets in and find really good deals), nice beach there. Vieux Nice is great to check out, and Massena where lot of shops are and make sure to climb Mt. Boron while in Nice if you do go there, unbelievable views of both sides of Nice.
I agree with this. A week in Paris is too much I believe. I would say 4 days.
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I won't talk about Paris because there is plenty of info about that.
Euro Disney is just like US Disney, except everyone is smoking.
France is best IMO with a rental car and staying in small towns in the country. The hotels outside Paris are not that expensive and usually have amazing restaurants attached. Dining in France is awesome - a few courses spread out over a few hours (outdoors in the summer) with a cheese platter at the end.
I enjoyed:
Castles on the Loire - ex. Chambord
Champagne Region - Epernay, Riems - abundnant and cheap champagne obviously
Carcassonne - medieval city
Sarlat le Canada - beautiful medieval town - close to cave paintings at Lascaux
Alps - Chamonix, Grenoble, Mont Blanc - try raclette
Despite the stereotype, I found the French very warm and welcoming. Be clear that you are from Canada.
I also agree with the folks that are recommending less time in Paris. We were there 5 days and in my opinion that was a little too long. I would have preferred an extra day or two outside of Paris.
We really enjoyed Nice, and if you have time and a vehicle it is well worth the short drive up the coast to Monaco for a day. We stayed here: http://lesaintpaul-hotel.fr/
becuase it was a bit more affordable and had car parking. It is about a 25 minute walk to the old town area though, but there is the cutest little bus that shuttles along the coast to the beach/old town. The hike up the nearby hill is worth the view.
Can't thank you enough for this recommendation. I'll be in Nice for 4 days on my honeymoon and this is perfect at first glance.
Monaco is okay but unless your super rich, it's a day trip by train from Nice as there is pretty much nothing for us peasants to do there. Honestly. You go, look at how rich everyone else is and see how much your life sucks and then you leave.
I stayed in Nice right by the harbor. It was a decent location. I honestly felt there wasn't much to do there though.
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Monaco is okay but unless your super rich, it's a day trip by train from Nice as there is pretty much nothing for us peasants to do there. Honestly. You go, look at how rich everyone else is and see how much your life sucks and then you leave.
LOL, once again putting the positive spin on things. Half full Polak..... half full.
Lived on France for a year and been back 3 times. Here's what I found:
Paris is a nice short trip/stay to see sights and Cafe browse. Lots to see, but with a young family is incredibly irritating to hop on and off the metro with a stroller or young children if it's busy. There are virtually no public bathrooms, so that makes it doubly hard. Don't drive here. Terrible/awful drivers and few rules.
Brittany is my favorite for seeing "off the beaten path" stuff and war memorials. Lots of cool things there and a totally unique culture as they're not ethnically really French. Kind of like the maritimes vs the rest of Canada. There was some amazing cool beaches by Nevez and Pont Aven was a retreat for many painters so there's lots of art. Again, not a busy tourist destination for non French. Driving is nice because it's not so busy. Weather is similar to Vancouver.
Bordeaux is great for scenery, wine and relaxing. Tons of neat chateaux and bed & breakfasts. Also nice to drive.
The south is gorgeous. I spent the most time here. If you're adventurous, white water swimming along the Gorges du Verdon just north in the mountains is an absolute must. You do it from Castellane which is a really cool little Mountain town with a church and ruins of a dark age monastery overlooking the town on top of a cliff. (see pic and look for a steeple on the top of the cliff). The church and the monastery are accessible with a short hike around back. Loads of neat little drivable towns in the mountains. Driving anywhere south of the mountains will give you a heart attack.
Spoiler!
All the southern coastal towns are great, but always busy. The nicest ones to visit (in my opinion) are Nice (really cool little market in the Old Town plus neat sights), Cannes, Frejus, and if you like a "Hollywood" Europe: Saint-Tropez (pronounced San tropay, don't mess it up!).
If I'm you (no idea age of kid or what you like), but with what I know gets what I would do:
Don't go in mid July through late August. So busy with rude/annoying tourists.
Land in Paris. Pay a bit more for a nicer hotel in a nice part of Paris near a metro somewhat close to the major attractions. Not worth the long commutes to attractions save money if you have a child. At all. Taxi to your hotel won't be cheap, so a hotel with a shuttle would be awesome. First day is only to relax and get used to time change and surroundings. DON'T SLEEP UNTIL BEDTIME. THIS INCLUDES KIDS (if possible). Pick 1 day to traipse and shop along the Champs-Elysee and see Arc De Triomphe, 1 day to take the tourist buses and get out at various stops (including Tour Eiffel) and enjoy light Cafe goodies and 1 day to enjoy the Louvre. Last day is travel day. Get a departure around noon. No need to stress early on the day.
Travel to Quimper (pronounced kampair) in Brittany and rent a car. Make plans for a few beach days of weather permits at Raguenes plage or other beaches near Nevez (lots of camping where you don't need to bring anything www.eurocamp.co.uk). There's a really neat one further south at Anse de Rospico. Do a little research on their culture and try to see if there's any events going on. Enjoy local fresh seafood (I don't normally eat seafood, but wow). Go to Pont Aven for an afternoon and see the Carnac Stones.
Drive south stopping for a day or two wherever you choose all the way to Nice and park car. Dint drive in Nice if you don't have to. Spend a few days exploring nice and the old city (Vieux Nice). Eat lots, walk lots, sleep lots. Take a drive into the mountains. Spend a night or two at a campsite near Castellane. Go white water swimming (if child old enough). Hike to the church. Drive to various mountain towns (take gravol if anyone is even the least bit car sick) and enjoy the near culture.
Fly home from Nice
Pm any questions or post them here
Last edited by Street Pharmacist; 04-07-2015 at 05:10 PM.
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Monaco is okay but unless your super rich, it's a day trip by train from Nice as there is pretty much nothing for us peasants to do there. Honestly. You go, look at how rich everyone else is and see how much your life sucks and then you leave.
There is no more intimidating a feeling than being in Monaco stopped in traffic on a steep uphill in a crappy rental with a manual transmission, and seeing a $400 000 Ferrari edged up to your rear bumper.
Walking around Monaco for a day was nice, it's a cool looking place, and if you are into F1, pretending to drive what you can of the circuit is fun, if you can convince your wife to go along Also if you are into cars, the Prince has an awesome car collection with lots of cool stuff and its worth checking out what is parked in front of the Casino. There was a Bugatti when I was there.
Spent 10 days in Montpellier last year for Rescue 2014. Great beach in Grande Motte! Didn't get to see much of the city, but my team mates that did said it was nice, but Nimes was more interesting. Not much help unless you're looking for a great place on the beach and recommendation for a great moules et frites.
My children need wine! Looking for France travel tips
