Honeymoon in France in March ideas? Southern cities?
Feb 17, 2016, 2:34 am
#1
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Posts: 914
Honeymoon in France in March ideas? Southern cities?
Hey folks,
Unfortunately my "Plan A" Honeymoon has fallen apart. Even worse, I can only take off time in March due to my schedule.
We're thinking of going spending just a little over a week in France. She's been to Paris a ton, so we'll probably stay there just 1 or 2 or 3 nights.
Neither of us have been to the South of France.
Here's what I'd like to do:
• Go to about 3-4 cities overall.
• Do no driving if possible
• Do something relaxing
•.Do some sight seeing
Neither of us speak or read French.
What might be a good itinerary for us to take part in? What cities should we visit? Will anything even be open?
Unfortunately my "Plan A" Honeymoon has fallen apart. Even worse, I can only take off time in March due to my schedule.
We're thinking of going spending just a little over a week in France. She's been to Paris a ton, so we'll probably stay there just 1 or 2 or 3 nights.
Neither of us have been to the South of France.
Here's what I'd like to do:
• Go to about 3-4 cities overall.
• Do no driving if possible
• Do something relaxing
•.Do some sight seeing
Neither of us speak or read French.
What might be a good itinerary for us to take part in? What cities should we visit? Will anything even be open?
Feb 17, 2016, 6:22 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Paris, France
Programs: United, TAP Victoria, AVIOS
Posts: 480
If you have only 3 to 4 days in the south of France, I might suggest you choose either Nice or Avignon, both transportation hubs. You do not need a car for visiting Nice and its surrounding areas. A car is preferable for the rest of Provence but, as a transportation hub, Avignon has good public transportation links to Nîmes, Pont du Gard/Uzès, Arles, St Rémy l´Ile sur la Sorgue or even Aix en Provence.
Book train tickets as soon as you can for best prices, at least 3 months in advance:
www.capitaintrain.com
www.voyages-sncf.com
For information about visiting Nice:
http://www.nicetourisme.com/
For information about Avignon:
http://www.ot-avignon.fr/
Book train tickets as soon as you can for best prices, at least 3 months in advance:
www.capitaintrain.com
www.voyages-sncf.com
For information about visiting Nice:
http://www.nicetourisme.com/
For information about Avignon:
http://www.ot-avignon.fr/
Feb 17, 2016, 12:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Paris, France
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Feb 18, 2016, 6:53 am
#5
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What is your budget for hotels? Cannes may be nicer. The train stops there and then a short taxi to the nice beach hotels. Very nice IHG, Hilton and Hyatt hotels, etc, right on the beach.
Regarding the train, which I take often, I think it is best to wait til you know for sure which train you want. The price difference isn't that huge. Again, depending on your budget.
Regarding the train, which I take often, I think it is best to wait til you know for sure which train you want. The price difference isn't that huge. Again, depending on your budget.
Feb 19, 2016, 2:34 am
#7
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Well this is March, so I don't think we're going to the beach. 
For reasons that are complicated, I bought an Intercon Ambassador membership, so I feel compelled to stay at one.
Currently I'm thinking 3 days in Paris, 4 days in Lyon, and 4 days in Nice area. Does that make sense or is that way too much time in Lyon?
For reasons that are complicated, I bought an Intercon Ambassador membership, so I feel compelled to stay at one.
Currently I'm thinking 3 days in Paris, 4 days in Lyon, and 4 days in Nice area. Does that make sense or is that way too much time in Lyon?
Feb 19, 2016, 7:44 am
#8
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Well this is March, so I don't think we're going to the beach.
For reasons that are complicated, I bought an Intercon Ambassador membership, so I feel compelled to stay at one.
Currently I'm thinking 3 days in Paris, 4 days in Lyon, and 4 days in Nice area. Does that make sense or is that way too much time in Lyon?
For reasons that are complicated, I bought an Intercon Ambassador membership, so I feel compelled to stay at one.
Currently I'm thinking 3 days in Paris, 4 days in Lyon, and 4 days in Nice area. Does that make sense or is that way too much time in Lyon?
As I live near Lyon, a lifetime isn't too much.
If you two like wine, I think a Burgundy wine tour would be a good idea. Too bad you don't want to drive though. But if you Google around you can find wine tours in the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte-d'Or. There are nice castle hotels, boutique hotels, Accor hotels everywhere and some of the finest restaurants in the world. Personally I'd recommend a car for driving around the Lyon area as there is so much to see and do.
Feb 19, 2016, 3:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: BAEC Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 465
Honeymoon in France in March ideas? Southern cities?
Lyon is great if you are foodies so much choice. I enjoyed the small town of Avignon and found renting a car (manual) and driving from there easy to do as was taking the TGV.
As for Monaco not much to see/enjoy in March IMO and no beach time in Nice so I'd not go there and train to Bordeaux if you like wine
As for Monaco not much to see/enjoy in March IMO and no beach time in Nice so I'd not go there and train to Bordeaux if you like wine
Feb 20, 2016, 4:43 am
#10
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The Intercons are in Paris and Cannes (also Bordeaux). None in Nice and the Lyon IC is still under construction. Even if it is too cold to swim, it's nice being by the beach in Cannes. And it won't be overcrowded like it is in the summer.
As I live near Lyon, a lifetime isn't too much.
If you two like wine, I think a Burgundy wine tour would be a good idea. Too bad you don't want to drive though. But if you Google around you can find wine tours in the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte-d'Or. There are nice castle hotels, boutique hotels, Accor hotels everywhere and some of the finest restaurants in the world. Personally I'd recommend a car for driving around the Lyon area as there is so much to see and do.
As I live near Lyon, a lifetime isn't too much.
If you two like wine, I think a Burgundy wine tour would be a good idea. Too bad you don't want to drive though. But if you Google around you can find wine tours in the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte-d'Or. There are nice castle hotels, boutique hotels, Accor hotels everywhere and some of the finest restaurants in the world. Personally I'd recommend a car for driving around the Lyon area as there is so much to see and do.
Feb 21, 2016, 5:49 pm
#13
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Just a forewarning, the South of France is still cold and wet in March. It is a little warmer than the north, but not all that much.
I personally like Nice, especially the old town. It is interesting to wander around the city. Cannes, from my perspective, has become overrated. I remember going there 10-15 years ago and really enjoying it. Today it seems too commercialized.
One recommendation in the South is Arles. It is a beautiful town that has an amazing history, lots of archeology (including a coliseum), and was a pivotal place for Van Gogh. Not too far is Nimes, another interesting city, and you can arrange to have a tour of the Camargue with the wild horses and flamingos. I haven't yet been to Avignon but I hear it is beautiful.
Alternately, you should consider a couple of options in the north. I went to school in Strasbourg, and I simply love the town. It has one of the most impressive cathedrals in all of Europe, and it also boasts some beautiful Germanic architecture. You can also take a short train ride down to Colmar, another pretty town.
Going the opposite direction, there is lots to explore in Brittany. Saint Malo is an old fortress town. And although it is difficult to get to via public transit, Mont Saint Michel is one of the most touristed places in all of Europe.
Thus, I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself to the South.
You might also want to take a trip up to Belgium and Brugge. Very easy to get there from Paris, even as an overnight trip.
I personally like Nice, especially the old town. It is interesting to wander around the city. Cannes, from my perspective, has become overrated. I remember going there 10-15 years ago and really enjoying it. Today it seems too commercialized.
One recommendation in the South is Arles. It is a beautiful town that has an amazing history, lots of archeology (including a coliseum), and was a pivotal place for Van Gogh. Not too far is Nimes, another interesting city, and you can arrange to have a tour of the Camargue with the wild horses and flamingos. I haven't yet been to Avignon but I hear it is beautiful.
Alternately, you should consider a couple of options in the north. I went to school in Strasbourg, and I simply love the town. It has one of the most impressive cathedrals in all of Europe, and it also boasts some beautiful Germanic architecture. You can also take a short train ride down to Colmar, another pretty town.
Going the opposite direction, there is lots to explore in Brittany. Saint Malo is an old fortress town. And although it is difficult to get to via public transit, Mont Saint Michel is one of the most touristed places in all of Europe.
Thus, I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself to the South.
You might also want to take a trip up to Belgium and Brugge. Very easy to get there from Paris, even as an overnight trip.
Feb 21, 2016, 6:50 pm
#14
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Feb 21, 2016, 7:27 pm
#15
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Join Date: Feb 2002
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Thanks everyone.
My new plan looks like this: CDG->Paris->Avignon (I remember it from European History AP as the "Too many popes" time)->Nice - with day trips to Cannes, Monaco, etc.
I was planning to take TGV from Paris to Avignon and then to Nice.
Does that make sense?
My new plan looks like this: CDG->Paris->Avignon (I remember it from European History AP as the "Too many popes" time)->Nice - with day trips to Cannes, Monaco, etc.
I was planning to take TGV from Paris to Avignon and then to Nice.
Does that make sense?