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Where should I go in France?
Ok - this is a strange request but hopefully the massive can help.
I'm going to France with my girlfriend at the end of August for a fortnight. We're taking the car over on the ferry to Cherbourg and will stay near Bordeaux for 7 or 8 days. However we don't know what to do, or where to go with the rest of the time. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for nice regions or places to visit.
In the past we've spent quite a bit of time around Bordeaux and the South West and we've also visited Il de Ré, which was wonderful, but this time around we can't settle on a preferred region to visit. I'd really appreciate if any of you could point me in the right direction.
We're more interested in quiet places as opposed to cities. Nice food, good wine etc, interesting things to see. Although that could be anywhere in France, couldn't it? That's kinda the problem - there's so much good stuff to do that it's difficult to settle on any
I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Merci beaucoup!
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Based only a couple of short visits
to friends weddings and the like I would recommend Angers, in the Loire Valley.
Quiet little city. Stuffed full of history (the Angles came from there you know. I didn't), chic boutiques if you like that sort of thing and a town square lined with authentic, cheap (but not tatty) cafes.
Also, Saumur, a bit further along is stunning at this time of year.
I write the above as if I know all about the place. Both times I was there I was part of a wedding party and was not entirely concious for key stretches of time. I may aswell have been in Cleckheaton.
Seconded
Was in this area a few years ago and it is absolutely gorgeous, and relatively unpopulated by 'English' tourists.
La Rochelle
Very pleasant seaside town
With superb
Plates de mere. The Loire valley is also lovely and not too far away.
Head north to Morbihan in Brittany
Pretty towns like Vannes, nice beaches, not stinking hot.
Or head east for The Alps. Stunning at this time of year, and quiet. Les Gets and Morzine are nice.
Drive back via the Vendee coast and Brittany
When I hit the jackpot it's Western France I'm decamping to.
I suggest in your remaining week you come back via the Vendee coast as suggested above. St Hilaire, St Jean de Monts are good for day trips.
But I would strongly recommend Noirmoutier, an island off the coast of Brittany to the west of Nantes. It's really very beautiful and chock full of very good restaurants. I once, literally, ran into former Presidential hopeful Ségolene Royal there.
Then I would recommend a night in Nantes on the Muscadet sur Lie, then head north and west towards Carnac, Quiberon and La Trinité-Sur-Mer. The beach from Étel down to Quiberon is one of the best in the world.
Then head for Vannes or Rennes or if you have time head to Cancale, about 13k north east of St Malo - best seafood in Europe apparently - certainly full of fabulous restaurants. I have eaten there lots but am allergic to shell fish.
That just leaves a couple of days to head past le Mont St Michel, a quick stop at Omaha Beach on the way up the Normandy Peninsula and maybe a shopping trip at a big Leclerc for a few bouteilles de cidre locale.
I'm only sorry I have to wait to next year to go again.
On your route south
west of Niort (at the junction of the A83 and A10) is a large fen like area Venise Vert / Marais Poitevin drained by hundreds of canals. Hire a boat for the day (not cheap) and take a picnic.
And don't forget to send the Massive a postcard.
Go see the stunning Cathar
Go see the stunning Cathar castles - http://www.payscathare.org/ in paticular Quéribus and Peyrepertuse (look them up on Google images). You won't regret it.
Go see the stunning Cathar
Go see the stunning Cathar castles - http://www.payscathare.org/ in particular Quéribus and Peyrepertuse (look them up on Google images). You won't regret it.
Seconded
In fact the Languedoc in general is worth a go - the old Roman cities of Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier, Nîmes are all interesting, and Collioures on the coast is a gem (although much of the coast west of there is a bit dull).
Better yet, just drive and stop wherever looks good - did that for a couple of weeks in a battered old Alfasud in my twenties and it remains a treasured memory, although accommodation might be less easy to find in August. The Massif Central is unspoilt and off the tourist trail if rural is your thing but be aware that everything is shut by 8.30 that far out in the sticks.
about as far from Bordeaux as possible, but
we just spent a week driving round in the Champagne region. Reims was a pleasant surprise as a city -- quite apart from the astonishing amount of history about the place.
To be there around the wine harvest would be a bit special. That is in September though.
Languedoc / Gard
Would definitely recommend a visit to Nimes for the Roman Arena and then up to Uzes, our favourite walled town. Maybe then on to Avignon and then up to Lyon via Orange and the Ardeche gorge.