Road Trip - Nice-Paris France?

Question

My husband and I are "hip" 50 somethings and we are planning to drive from Nice to Paris over the course of 10 days from 2/25-3/6/09. We love nice food, wine, beautiful landscape, historical sites and mingling with the locals. We would love to hear from others who have traveled or lived in these areas what they would recommend we see and do. :>)

Answer 1

Here is my suggestion:

1) Drive West to Arles, Nîmes, Avignon, Orange, les Baux-de-Provence, Vaison-la Romaine, etc. Spend at least 3 days in the region to visit the Roman towns and villages, the Pont du Gard, etc.

2) Continue up north east to Annecy and spend a couple of days in the French Alps (as far as Megève and Combloux if you have time, to see Mont Blanc). But I see you will be going in winter so it might not be the easiest driving conditions. Also, it will be winter school vacation so book hotels early and avoid driving on Saturdays.

3) Then head to Burgundy and spend 3 days there. Don't forget to stop at Vézelay on your way back to Paris.

Google the tourist offices of all the places. Unfortunately it will be winter so it will be cold and days will be short but the Provence will be more authentic. Watch out for morning fog. Not the best season to enjoy the beauty of the scenery except for the mountains but, hey, if that's when you're going, you'll have plenty to keep you entertained anyway: culture and good food will be everywhere. Plus, these are 3 very different regions with each their own style and local culture, food, architecture and landscapes. Hopefully it will be a crisp, cold winter with blue skies for good visibility and driving conditions. Between the 3 places, stay on the toll highways: safer, faster and more services.

Links:

Provence:

http://www.cdt-gard.fr/editor/www/www.to...

http://www.arles.org/us/index_us.php

http://www.provenceguide.com/gbcdt/index...

http://www.justtourfrance.com/provence_a...

http://www.vaison-la-romaine.com/spip.ph...

Alps:

http://www.lac-annecy.com/index_gb.php

http://www.combloux.com/en/hiver/accueil...

http://www.megeve.com/uk/hiver/

Burgundy:

http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/

http://www.ot-beaune.fr/567000001/home-b...

http://www.vezelaytourisme.com/

Answer 2

Paris---is gorgeous!! I live in Germany because my father is in the air force and i traveled there 2 days ago. Very expensive, though. As for the locals, there are more tourists there than anything. =] You guys should see the eifell of course, the louve muesum, or just plain walk around..that is gorgeous also..=]