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I need travel advice: France

post #1 of 8
5/2/07 at 4:51pm
Thread Starter 
Good afternoon!


I finally decided that I need a vacation, so I'll be traveling to France (via a few days in London).

I know that I will spend the bulk of my time in Paris (the only city that I can actually say that I love), but I want to get out into the countryside for a few days.

I've spent some time in Normandy and Brittany before, and this time I want to go somewhere else. It is really hard to decide on a place in France that is better than another without prior experience there- so here is what I'm looking for.

-Beautiful countryside ( like this: http://couleurs.passion.free.fr/imag...%20automne.jpg )

-Wine or champagne cellars, tasting, etc.

-Walking/hiking paths

-decent lodging

-Things need to be either within walking distance of the hotel or there must be ample taxis; I will be on foot for this trip

--destination must be on a main train route

- preferably within ~200 km of Paris, but I could make an exception




I have been researching destinations all day, but advice for traveling to small towns is kind of hard to find. Some places (Lyon, Orleans, Bordeaux) seem interesting, but I'm looking for someplace smaller, cozier- more relaxing. This is a 'romantic' trip, I guess- I'll be bringing my lady friend- so quiet, out-of-the-way retreats would be nice.

I'm sorry if I sound kind of hectic, but I just found out yesterday that I'm even going on this trip. Any advice, from any one, would be appreciated. Thanks!

-ben
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post #2 of 8
5/2/07 at 9:54pm
i could recommend to you the languedoc-roussillon region, although it's not really within your 200km limit - rather on the other side of the country, near the border with spain. of course the tgv can get from one end of the country to another in like 2 hours so i don't think it's too far. i remember spending a few days in preixan, a small village out of carcassonne, which is notable for a very old fortified castle, so it's kind of kitschy but still nice. i just remember a beautiful countryside. but of course, well all france is beautiful so this really is a tough decision on your shoulders

edit: i forgot to add, preixan was really beautiful, an epitomal quaint, small village, i remember at least one vineyard too, etc. i'm sure there are lots of cozy like that in that region, it's just an example

ok, i even uploaded some pics to imageshack to show you, not that i really think it will convince you to go all the way across the country from paris just because i showed you some pretty pictures, but these pics are 4 years old and i haven't seen tehm inawhile, it's fun to reminisce and who knows maybe you will find it useful

http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1020204rq0.jpg
http://img487.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1020208zt4.jpg
http://img254.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1020218xu3.jpg

well anyways that's the countryside and that last pic is a view of preixan. i didn't put any photos of that castle (well, besides the first one from a distance) because i'm sure you can find plenty of other photos of it anywhere you go
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post #3 of 8
5/4/07 at 2:04pm
Thread Starter 
I think I've decided on Bayeux. It's not exactly what I wanted, but it has a good mix of history and location. Plus I've been there before, so I'll know my way around. I'll probably wind up needing to rent a car, but oh well.

Lonefish, thanks for you advice- I always have next time to check out other regions.


-ben
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post #4 of 8
5/4/07 at 6:00pm
Grasse?

is your milatary obligation over Ben. hope so.

any pic of your last deployment?
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post #5 of 8
5/4/07 at 7:04pm
Thread Starter 
My military obligation will last as long as my patience--so far, those depths are not yet plumbed. We'll see in another year.


Here's one picture:





Have a good evening,

ben
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post #6 of 8
5/5/07 at 3:25pm
wow ben, that is an intense pic. bayeaux sounds cool. i've always wanted to see that tapestry last time you were in normandy, did you happen to stop by monet's estate in giverny? if you didn't, it's a real beautiful place, definitely worth a visit
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post #7 of 8
5/5/07 at 3:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoneFish View Post

wow ben, that is an intense pic. bayeaux sounds cool. i've always wanted to see that tapestry last time you were in normandy, did you happen to stop by monet's estate in giverny? if you didn't, it's a real beautiful place, definitely worth a visit

I did actually go to the Monet place- it was quite beautiful. I went in spring before everything was really in bloom, but it was still a very nice place to visit. Then I got some ice cream.

I'm still debating whether or not to rent a car or something. You can't go 5 miles in any direction without coming across something worth seeing, and you miss a lot on a train. But man, car rentals are pretty expensive. We'll see- it might be worth it.


-ben
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post #8 of 8
5/5/07 at 6:00pm
What a beautiful picture!
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