France

Dog · Post #1 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:49 pm

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?

PredsFan77 · Post #2 by **PredsFan77** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:19 pm

Strasbourg

Dog · Post #3 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:33 pm

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.

Dog · Post #4 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:36 pm

Have any of you been to Mont St Michel? It's out of the way, but seems spectacular so I've pencilled it in.

AD · Post #5 by AD » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:00 pm

France?

:yawn:

Dog · Post #6 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:43 pm

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.

:why:

PredsFan77 · Post #7 by **PredsFan77** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:25 pm

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:

Dog · Post #8 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:32 pm

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.

Dog · Post #9 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:41 pm

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.

PredsFan77 · Post #10 by **PredsFan77** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:44 pm

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.

Dog · Post #11 by **Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:58 pm

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!!!

PredsFan77 · Post #12 by **PredsFan77** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:47 pm

Sounds like a lot of driving.

AD · Post #13 by AD » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:11 pm

I yawned but Paris is my favorite city in the world so really I'm mostly jealous.

PredsFan77 · Post #14 by **PredsFan77** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:26 pm

Dog · Post #15 by **Dog** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:44 am

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?

Dog · Post #16 by **Dog** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:45 am

AD wrote:I yawned but Paris is my favorite city in the world so really I'm mostly jealous.

Less houses, more travelling.

Yolo!

AD · Post #17 by AD » Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:39 am

Wanna buy a house downtown? CA$824,000. Its yours. C'est un prix d'ami.

Dog · Post #18 by **Dog** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:47 am

Nah. I kinda like being house poor and my daily cross-continental rail commutes to the office.

:why:

mayoradamwest · Post #19 by **mayoradamwest** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 5:12 pm

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.

mayoradamwest · Post #20 by **mayoradamwest** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 5:14 pm

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.

Dog · Post #21 by **Dog** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 6:47 pm

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).

Dog · Post #22 by **Dog** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 6:48 pm

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.

mayoradamwest · Post #23 by **mayoradamwest** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 6:57 pm

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....

PredsFan77 · Post #24 by **PredsFan77** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:41 pm

The Canadian cemetery is pretty impressive too minus the burnout tires someone did on the Canadian flag

habfan4 · Post #25 by **habfan4** » Fri Apr 07, 2017 10:15 am

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.)?

Dog · Post #26 by **Dog** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 9:14 am

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

AD · Post #27 by AD » Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:23 pm

I have family in Nice. Well they have a small winter flat in Nice. Want me to hook you up?

Dog · Post #28 by **Dog** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:38 pm

Is the flat available?

Dog · Post #29 by **Dog** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:43 pm

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.

habfan4 · Post #30 by **habfan4** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:13 pm

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.

habfan4 · Post #31 by **habfan4** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:18 pm

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.

Dog · Post #32 by **Dog** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:23 pm

Thanks, 4.

Gimme MOAR!!!

habfan4 · Post #33 by **habfan4** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:58 pm

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.

Dog · Post #34 by **Dog** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 5:08 pm

Gracias!

(Or however they say that in french)

PredsFan77 · Post #35 by **PredsFan77** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:46 pm

Tarte flambée and charcrute in Strasbourg

PredsFan77 · Post #36 by **PredsFan77** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:49 pm

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?

AD · Post #37 by AD » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:57 am

Not very. I can't seem to keep it straight and I'm always veering off the road.

mayoradamwest · Post #38 by **mayoradamwest** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:31 am

Dog wrote:Gracias!

(Or however they say that in french)

There's no translation.

Dog · Post #39 by **Dog** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:49 am

All I get from google translate is "va te faire foutre, sale enculé!"

:dunno:

PredsFan77 · Post #40 by **PredsFan77** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:47 pm

AD wrote:Not very. I can't seem to keep it straight and I'm always veering off the road.

Craig · Post #41 by **Craig** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 9:54 pm

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.

PredsFan77 · Post #42 by **PredsFan77** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:08 pm

if the jihadis dont get you the dirty hipsters will for sure

Dog · Post #43 by **Dog** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:12 pm

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.

:why:

Dog · Post #44 by **Dog** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:13 pm

You want tshirts from the bar?

Craig · Post #45 by **Craig** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 7:27 am

I do!

Dog · Post #46 by **Dog** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 7:55 am

Les Trois 8?

I'll try to pick one up if in the area -what neighbourhood?

Dog · Post #47 by **Dog** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 7:56 am

Just looked it up. Neighborhood is called La Banane.

:why:

Craig · Post #48 by **Craig** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:18 am

It is!

There's not much touristy out there. But if you're in the area, I'd love a couple of shirts.

AD · Post #49 by AD » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:23 am

Dog, if you don't go to La Banane while in Paris, I'll understand what I need to understand.

:colbert:

Dog · Post #50 by **Dog** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:34 am

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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