Any suggestions as to where to stay in France later this year? Somewhere near a town and has public transport links. The missus first trip abroad, lets hope it's better than mine was (sprained ankle in Paris within 2 mins lol). Merci!
Really hard to go into the real France without a Hire Car ... I would suggest Bordeaux Grenoble Beziers or Montpellier ... Why not tour ? via TGV Get on the Canal Du Midi even
We hired a car last summer and drove South...stayed in a very small place called Catus which is quite close to Cahors. One option could be to get the train down to somewhere like Montpelier or Toulouse and then hire a car down south. That saves the long drive and means you can still get out of the busy areas and stay somewhere in the countryside. Either just search for places on bookings.com or have a look at; http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ Last year we stayed here in Fournil and it was lovely...basic accomodation but okay but very quiet and out in the countryside and a few minutes drive from a small town. http://quercygites.com/ Hope that helps.
About ten years ago, I drove over to France, and stayed in a gitte (Holiday cottage) in Normandy.. Drove over via cross channel ferry Dover > Calais. French people in Normandy always very welcoming to the Brits, never forget the sacrifices our boys took for them during WW11. I just used a map, well before I got a Tom Tom, so would think driving over there now is a doddle... Have fun... Stan
I would explore the Languedoc it's one big secret still. Fly drive is cheap as chips Out of season and I always spend September there Fly to Rodez, Montpellier Nimes Carcassonne or Perpignan . I also do a few Luton -Beziers flights each year If you want the ultimate Then get to Corsica ... Few days in southern France then hop over via internal French airlines. I won't say anymore re this island apart it will not dissapoint
I thought Montpellier was really nice and a lovely vibe. Has anyone been to visit the War cemetries in France ? Meant to be a very emotional experience that i plan to do one day along with visiting St Nazaire where my gramps was bombed/sunk on the Lancastria and lay a few flowers for his mates.
Whilst in Normandy, I went to Pegasus Bridge, the first place liberated by the Allied troops. Also went to "Sword" beach, one where British forces landed and had four hundred yards to make it to cover, getting ripped to pieces by German artillery and machine gun fire....Quite a humbling experience to think about, as the Brits suffered horrendous casualaties... Also went to Bayeux, where the tapestry is... Stan
If driving try the Alsace region in North East France, nice easy day drive from Calais, fabulous wine route driving through some picture postcard villages, good food, hours drive from the Black Forest, Colmar described as "little venice" and some of the best wines available.
Personally loved Avignon...Fantastic place to see a visit and having a pic-nic in the voew of the bridge is sublime..... Also enjoyed Montpellier, bordeaux. Didnt reaaly rate cannes, st trpoz etc as too touristy. depends if you like that The misus might like it for a bit of shooping etc...Avoid Paris like the plague. If you do go as far as Cannes, etc, you can get the train along the coast to st Topez of if you leave a bit of time, you can make Monte Carlo Casino. Great overnight trip and the misus ont stop telling her friends about it.. Have a good one, and remember...."When in Rome......"!!
WW11? I remember the first 2 from history lessons, no one ever talks about the other 9 though!! If only we knew......
