Lyon/Rhone or Bordeaux?

Hello,

Next July our group of 6 will spend 14 nights in France. We%26#39;re trying to finalize our itinerary so we can get hotels booked. We%26#39;ll spend the 1st 6 nights in Paris, then 2 nights each in Reims, Dijon area and Carcassone. That will leave 2 nights that we can either spend in the Lyon area following Dijon, or Bordeaux following Carcassone.

Can anyone offer their recommendation of Lyon over Bordeaux? This will be our 3rd trip to France and 1st time outside of Paris.

Thank you for your help.

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What mode[s] of transportation to you plan to use, and what airport are you flying out of? Seems like Bordeaux is out of the way.

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We%26#39;re probably going to do a combination of driving and train. When we leave either Carcassonne or Bordeax, we%26#39;ll actually go back to Paris for 3 more nights, then on to London via train. I noticed that getting to Carcassonne from Dijon meant we probably would take the train through Lyon and need to change there to go on to Carcassonne. Thought maybe it might make more sense to spend several nights in the Lyon area and return to Paris from Carcassonne. But, of course, it seems like we would need to go through Bordeaux anyway to return to Paris. We really prefer to spend 2 nights in each location, so that means we need to choose between Lyon or Bordeaux.

Any thoughts here?

Thank you,

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Nine nights in Paris and only two each in the other areas? That%26#39;s alot of travel time and not much time spent exploring the regions. There%26#39;s so much to see in each area, why not a couple of nights less in Paris, and three nights or more in only one or two other areas? It isn%26#39;t much of a vacation when you%26#39;re driving or ona train most of the day. also, it will be very crowded in France in July, so the less time spent in traffic the better.

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Hi DioneOneil,

I wish it were that simple. For our group of six, we are all arriving at different times, some have not been Paris, and we depart to different countries at different times. The time spent in Paris differs for each person. The 8 nights to spend in various locations in France are the time that the total group of 6 has together. Some of us will spend time in Paris only before the travel around France, and some of us only after. I am the only person of the six that will be in Paris both before and after.

if only 8 nights for other locations, what would be your picks if you wanted at least a minimum of 2 nights in each location?

Thank you!

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I am partial of course, but I would say Lyon, as Bordeaux is out of your way (it would make a lot of travelling). Lyon is really worth visiting, the whole city center is a UNESCO Heritage Site. I am sure you will like the roman ruins on the Fourvière hill, the beautiful Reanaissance district, strolling along the two rivers...Lyon is also famous for its gastronomy !

Have a look :

www.en.lyon-france.com/page/p-554/art_id-/

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Thank you OnlyLyon for your suggestion. I%26#39;ll check it out!

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I had to make this choice last summer. I chose Lyon, and have no regrets :) It%26#39;s a lovely city, especially near the Rhone. I%26#39;m sure Bordeaux is fine as well, though.

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Don%26#39;t hesitate asking for more infos if you finally plan to make a stopover in Lyon!

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Train schedules, route map and tickets:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

…raileurope.com/map_of_europe/france.html

www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvHomePage…

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