France
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France
Looks like we've settled on France for our summer holiday this year. I've been to Paris, Nice and Lyon, but it's been over a decade. Wife's only been to Paris and that was even longer ago. Our 7 year old will come along (travels very well).
Thinking of itineraries now. Likely will fly into Paris and leave from Nice. Will go for 14 days.
Thinking:
Paris: 6 days
Mont St Michel (and maybe D day beaches): 1-2 days
Loire valley: 2 days
Provence (Avignon/aix-en-provence/etc): 2 days
Nice and surroundings: 2 days.
Will be driving after Paris.
Thoughts?
Worthwhile to allocate a day or so to vineyards around Bordeaux?
Thinking of itineraries now. Likely will fly into Paris and leave from Nice. Will go for 14 days.
Thinking:
Paris: 6 days
Mont St Michel (and maybe D day beaches): 1-2 days
Loire valley: 2 days
Provence (Avignon/aix-en-provence/etc): 2 days
Nice and surroundings: 2 days.
Will be driving after Paris.
Thoughts?
Worthwhile to allocate a day or so to vineyards around Bordeaux?
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Re: France
It's out of the way, tho.
Would love to do Champagne/Alsace and then down to Lyon, but ze wife wants her Loire Chateaux and French Riviera.
Would love to do Champagne/Alsace and then down to Lyon, but ze wife wants her Loire Chateaux and French Riviera.
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Re: France
Have any of you been to Mont St Michel? It's out of the way, but seems spectacular so I've pencilled it in.
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Re: France
AD wrote:France?
:yawn:
I did try to go to Zimbabwe, but my Zimbabwean friends will be in France. We're meeting them there. Instead of having a glass of wine on the family wineyards and safari outside Harare, we're meeting in Eurodisney.

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Re: France
Dog wrote:Have any of you been to Mont St Michel? It's out of the way, but seems spectacular so I've pencilled it in.
eh. it's interesting to see, would I go back? No. it's pretty touristy. If you are going to do it, do it right and book a room on the island for the night. Also, you are not too far away from Le Mans if you are looking for more to do in the area. If it's between that and Caen/Bayeux. Do Normandy, easy. Especially if you haven't been. It's one of the most humbling experiences you'll ever have.
Brokaw and Mansbridge, roll tape:
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Re: France
Skipped Hiroshima last year because of my daughter (didn't feel it appropriate to explain that they blew up the city with a bomb to a 6 year old). Debating whether the d-day beaches are appropriate this year.
Really, Mont St Michel isn't that great a sight? Pictures made it seem otherworldly.
Really, Mont St Michel isn't that great a sight? Pictures made it seem otherworldly.
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Re: France
Actually, if I skip Mont St michel/Normandy, I can head down from Paris to the Loire valley, then to Provence/Nice and have 3-4 days to head up through Lyon to Strasbourg and then through Champagne back to Paris. May be too much road, tho.
I came close to doing a semester in strasbourg (was all set, cancelled a month before going to save money when I decided to do a postgrad abroad). Was always intrigued by the region and the drive through Champagne seems quite nice.
I came close to doing a semester in strasbourg (was all set, cancelled a month before going to save money when I decided to do a postgrad abroad). Was always intrigued by the region and the drive through Champagne seems quite nice.
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Re: France
touristy. I guess it's kind of like going to Mount Rushmore kinda. You go out of your way to get there, and you see it and then it's like... ok, now what? If you do go, I thought one of the better places to go in the area is to the left of the dam. You can park your car on the road and walk the tractor path to the overlook of the place.
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- Dog
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Re: France
Spending the night there seems to be the way to go. Arrive the prior evening, have a nice meal, enjoy it lit up at night, visit before the crowds arrive and leave.
May do that. Drive down to Loire Valley in late pm next day. Spend a couple days. Then, across de champagne route into Alsace, then down to Provence to Nice for last few days. Fly back from Nice.
That could be a winner, pf!!!
May do that. Drive down to Loire Valley in late pm next day. Spend a couple days. Then, across de champagne route into Alsace, then down to Provence to Nice for last few days. Fly back from Nice.
That could be a winner, pf!!!
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Re: France
PredsFan77 wrote:Sounds like a lot of driving.
I'll have to dump Mont St-Michel and/or Alsace to make it less hectic....or add a few days to the trip. We'll see.
Anybody been to Provence? Enjoyed?
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Re: France
AD wrote:I yawned but Paris is my favorite city in the world so really I'm mostly jealous.
Less houses, more travelling.
Yolo!
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Re: France
Nah. I kinda like being house poor and my daily cross-continental rail commutes to the office.


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Re: France
Dog wrote:PredsFan77 wrote:Sounds like a lot of driving.
I'll have to dump Mont St-Michel and/or Alsace to make it less hectic....or add a few days to the trip. We'll see.
Anybody been to Provence? Enjoyed?
Avignon Is a delightful change after Paris. Small walled city, popes palace, and chateau Neuf du pape. Had a great few days there.
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Re: France
Also, Mont Saint Michel is neat but isn't a place is at I'd have to go back to. Normandy is worth seeing for everyone, but it's not something you can do for a full day.
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Re: France
mayoradamwest wrote:Dog wrote:PredsFan77 wrote:Sounds like a lot of driving.
I'll have to dump Mont St-Michel and/or Alsace to make it less hectic....or add a few days to the trip. We'll see.
Anybody been to Provence? Enjoyed?
Avignon Is a delightful change after Paris. Small walled city, popes palace, and chateau Neuf du pape. Had a great few days there.
Have you been to St Remy? Was thinking of making my base there to visit the region (read it was a quite picturesque village).
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Re: France
mayoradamwest wrote:Also, Mont Saint Michel is neat but isn't a place is at I'd have to go back to. Normandy is worth seeing for everyone, but it's not something you can do for a full day.
Worth the 3-4 hour drive each way (with overnight stay)? Looks quite special on pictures, but you guys seem to be meh about it.
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Re: France
Dog wrote:mayoradamwest wrote:Also, Mont Saint Michel is neat but isn't a place is at I'd have to go back to. Normandy is worth seeing for everyone, but it's not something you can do for a full day.
Worth the 3-4 hour drive each way (with overnight stay)? Looks quite special on pictures, but you guys seem to be meh about it.
I did the drive, and I enjoyed it. It's just, the town around it is kinda shit. Granted my visit wasn't recent, but the islnd castle is roughly a half day and then.... you're just waiting to leave (other than the Normandy part. If you're a ww2 buff it's worth it... actually I have clearer memories of gold beach than I do mont st Michel.
It's not that the castle isn't spectacular, it's just that there are many Spectacular things which have more to do around them. I'm not saying don't go of course....
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Re: France
The Canadian cemetery is pretty impressive too minus the burnout tires someone did on the Canadian flag
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- habfan4
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Re: France
Dog wrote:Looks like we've settled on France for our summer holiday this year. I've been to Paris, Nice and Lyon, but it's been over a decade. Wife's only been to Paris and that was even longer ago. Our 7 year old will come along (travels very well).
Thinking of itineraries now. Likely will fly into Paris and leave from Nice. Will go for 14 days.
Thinking:
Paris: 6 days
Mont St Michel (and maybe D day beaches): 1-2 days
Loire valley: 2 days
Provence (Avignon/aix-en-provence/etc): 2 days
Nice and surroundings: 2 days.
Will be driving after Paris.
Thoughts?
Worthwhile to allocate a day or so to vineyards around Bordeaux?
Skip Avignon. The thought of visiting the Palais des Papes along with the competing Popes thing seems compelling at first glance (or possibly you're drawn to the Pont d'Avignon). Either way, disappointing. Arles is a much better choice.
Bordeaux is fine, certainly worth the visit. However if you're planning on being in Provence/Camargue area why not save yourself a longer drive and hit the Rhone Valley (Orange etc.)?
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Re: France
Thanks 4. Provence is a bit of my blind spot. Was thinking of staying in a smaller town and day tripping.
I would love some Habsfan4 restaurant recommendations! Please!
Flight's booked. Staying 17 days.
Thinking something like this (driving after Paris):
Paris: 6 days
Mont St Michel: overnight
Loire (based in Blois): 2 days
Strasbourg: 3 days (including either drive through Champagne route in or Alsace wine route out)
Provence: 3 days
Nice: 2 days
I would love some Habsfan4 restaurant recommendations! Please!
Flight's booked. Staying 17 days.
Thinking something like this (driving after Paris):
Paris: 6 days
Mont St Michel: overnight
Loire (based in Blois): 2 days
Strasbourg: 3 days (including either drive through Champagne route in or Alsace wine route out)
Provence: 3 days
Nice: 2 days
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Re: France
I have family in Nice. Well they have a small winter flat in Nice. Want me to hook you up?
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Re: France
I spent a few days in Nice as a student on a trip from Turin to Barcelona like 15 years ago. Nice isn't the place with the most to do, nice boardwalk and old town, but whatever. The party vibe was outstanding, though. Some of the prettiest girls I've ever seen in that city and a cool relaxed atmosphere. May not do as much bar hopping on a family trip this time around, but wife likes some beach/downtime at end of trips. The coastal drive is pretty nice too.
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Re: France
Dog wrote:I spent a few days in Nice as a student on a trip from Turin to Barcelona like 15 years ago. Nice isn't the place with the most to do, nice boardwalk and old town, but whatever. The party vibe was outstanding, though. Some of the prettiest girls I've ever seen in that city and a cool relaxed atmosphere. May not do as much bar hopping on a family trip this time around, but wife likes some beach/downtime at end of trips. The coastal drive is pretty nice too.
The Matisse and the Chagall museums are well worth seeing if you're so inclined. The only resto, I recall from my time in Nice was Lou Pistou. A quick google search confirms that it's still up and running. A tiny bistro that served well prepared classic dishes at a decent price.
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Re: France
Dog wrote:Thanks 4. Provence is a bit of my blind spot. Was thinking of staying in a smaller town and day tripping.
I would love some Habsfan4 restaurant recommendations! Please!
Flight's booked. Staying 17 days.
Thinking something like this (driving after Paris):
Paris: 6 days
Mont St Michel: overnight
Loire (based in Blois): 2 days
Strasbourg: 3 days (including either drive through Champagne route in or Alsace wine route out)
Provence: 3 days
Nice: 2 days
I can think of two places in Paris off the top of my head. L'Atelier Maitre Albert - http://www.ateliermaitrealbert.com - Roast chicken was spot on. Along with Les Bouquinistes - http://www.lesbouquinistes.com/ - Excellent value for prix fixe lunch. Both are owned by Guy Savoy.
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Re: France
Dog wrote:Thanks, 4.
Gimme MOAR!!!
Verjus was excellent - http://verjusparis.com/fr-restaurant/ - Ditto Frenchie - http://www.frenchie-restaurant.com/home-restaurant-fr Getting a table at Frenchie was difficult but that was a few years ago. Not sure either is kid friendly though.
The next two are little touristy but I still like them. Willi's Wine Bar - http://www.williswinebar.com/willis-wine-bar-paris.html and Bofinger - http://www.bofingerparis.com/en
Aux Lyonnais was great as well - http://www.auxlyonnais.com/fr - A little on the pricey side, but it's Paris and the restaurant is part of Alain Ducasse's empire.
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Re: France
AD wrote:I have family in Nice. Well they have a small winter flat in Nice. Want me to hook you up?
The questionis how good are you at driving a fully loaded semi truck?
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Re: France
AD wrote:Not very. I can't seem to keep it straight and I'm always veering off the road.

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- Craig
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Re: France
If anyone finds themselves in Paris and they're in the area of Les Trois 8, I highly suggest going for a beer or a cider if you're in to craft drinks.
Also, if you brought me back a couple of men's large t shirts I'd be hugely grateful. I love their shirts and mine is getting worn out.
Also, if you brought me back a couple of men's large t shirts I'd be hugely grateful. I love their shirts and mine is getting worn out.
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Re: France
Craig wrote:If anyone finds themselves in Paris and they're in the area of Les Trois 8, I highly suggest going for a beer or a cider if you're in to craft drinks.
Also, if you brought me back a couple of men's large t shirts I'd be hugely grateful. I love their shirts and mine is getting worn out.
Craft drinks just aren't the same when we're not together, greg.

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Re: France
It is!
There's not much touristy out there. But if you're in the area, I'd love a couple of shirts.
There's not much touristy out there. But if you're in the area, I'd love a couple of shirts.
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Re: France
Dog, if you don't go to La Banane while in Paris, I'll understand what I need to understand.


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Re: France
We likely won't pass by if it's out of the way, though. Hard to justify that to the missus and we'll be with friends (hey guys, let's take half a day to look for a random bar so I can buy tshirts for greg...). Why a couple of tshirts? Like multiple times the same one or a sampling of their tshirt collection?
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