Trip in France planning ideas

Often times, people are traveling to France and asking “any recommendation ?”. Here are some notes, thoughts and ideas.

What to plan for

Couple guiding principles :

• Prioritize slow travel, soaking into the culture, instead of rushing
• Don’t plan Everything. Give some space to improvise and wander based on what you need / want. The best memories often come from unplanned events
• It’s OK to skip guide books “must see”

Timing

• 1 Week : Paris, Versailles and Chateaux de la Loire (close to where I am born)
• 2 Weeks : Paris, Avignon, Aix, Marseille.

I do not recommend to go to Nice, Cannes and around. Why ? It’s busy, too much US tourists, and not much to see IMO (this is a bit controversial I admit). If you go there wander around Antibes.

General logistics guidance

• A good alternative to Booking for Hotels
  • Relais et Chateaux a nice brand offering a collection of unique special hotels and “veilles demeures”
• Restaurants : Beyond the classics look for The Fork or the Guide Michelin especially the “Gros Bib” label which offers unbeatable price / quality for excellent places
• Moving : Train (TGV) is excellent to go to Tours (Chateaux de la Loire) or to go to Lyon, Avignon, Aix, Marseille.
• Renting a Car : Sixt offers one ways anywhere in France for 120 Euros. Worth considering to combine Car + Train or Air

What to Do in Paris

My top of mind todo list includes

• Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries and Champs Elysees
• Eiffel Tower (walk up the stairs, don’t take the elevator). 2 hours max.
• The old Paris (1st and 2nd arrondissement) : Les Halles, rue Montorgueuil, le Grand Palais, le Louis Vuitton museum
• Wandering in Le quartier Latin
• Les Puces de Saint Ouen (Metro Saint Ouen) - Wild bazar
• Chateau de Versailles (almost a full day) - RER to Versailles

Les Chateaux de la Loire et la Touraine

This part (Touraine) is located on both side of the Loire valley where castles from the formers “Roi de France” are located

• Take the train (TGV) to Tours than rent a Car in Tours.
• Then tour les Chateaux de la Loire. You can find many itineraries online and suggestions, as well as accommodation. This is the one time opportunity to book hotels which are literally some castles.
• Excellent tables all around.

Lyon Avignon, Marseille, Les Calanques

This corridor located between Lyon and Nice is the most diverse and nice looking part of France, with excellent wine, small villages and breathtaking landscape.

• Take the Train to Lyon or Avignon or Aix en Provence (Same TGV that goes all the way to Marseille)
• Avignon and le Palais des Papes. Wine all around.
• (Bonus) Nimes et ses Arenes. Le Pont du Gard is a popular stop, with Uzes
• Le Luberon and the villages
• Aix en Provence market (look for the days)
• Marseille and le vieux port, la vieille ville
• (Bonus) - La Camargue National Park (Arles, Saint Marie de la Mer)
• MUST DO: Les Calanques: Spend a day there 1h walking from Luminy or Cassis - Watch for reservations that may be needed in summer
• Port de Cassis (spend a night there)
• Push to Nice or Antibes if you have time, or really want to. Plenty of small villages on the way, including Saint Tropez
• Antibes : take an accommodation in the old City of Antibes (intra-muros)
• Ride the train back to Paris from Marseille or Aix. From Nice, take a flight