Paris then where?

My husband and I will have 10 days to spend in France from 22 July. It is our first trip and we were planning 4 - 5 nights in Paris and would like suggestions for the remaining time. We would prefer to base ourselves somewhere, hire a car and make day trips rather than packing up and moving each day. After the pace of Paris any suggestions for something more relaxed, nice scenery,good food and wine?

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You may want to consider Provence. It%26#39;s very scenic and the food is incredible. You could base yourselves in Aix en Provence and visit the surrounding areas by car. Visit the Provence forums for specific info.

Have a wonderful trip!

Vicki

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There are countless options... Normandy, Bordeaux, Bourgogne (a boat on the canals is great), the Loire Valley.

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I agree with the above post. I suggest that you go to a book store, purchase one or more guide books of France. I use Frommers, DK, lonely Planet and Steves each will give you a different perspective on the same destination.

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Hi,

we are going to paris for a week in July and then plan to take the TGV to Montpellier on the south coast - we have booked a house with a pool for a week in a village near Pezenas in the Languedoc-Rousillion area. It seems from the guide books to have lots to offer - from Roman remains, picturesque and historic towns, villages and castles to the beaches along the Med coastline. We also hope to take a f=day trip to the Millau bridge - a modern feat of engineering as wellas the Pont du Gard.

We decided on the train rather than driving - it takes about 3 and a half hours I believe and should be less stressful than driving.

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I agree with the previous poster that, if you are seeking a base some distance from Paris, it makes sense to take the train there rather than drive. You could always rent a car once you%26#39;re there. The train can get you almost anywhere in France so quickly that you could really enjoy the second half of your trip in a completely different part of the country (like Languedoc, or Provence as previous posters have suggested).

I%26#39;ll also just throw in a plug for another idea a previous poster suggested -- spending time on a canal boat. A few years ago, our family spent 4 days in Paris and a week on a boat (self-piloted) on the Burgundy Canal, and it was a wonderful, relaxing way to see the country without the hassles and expense of driving. You were always moving to new places, but you never had to face traffic or pack and unpack your suitcase.

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