#1

Hi,
sorry if there is already a thread for this but I couldn’t find one. I’m planning on going backpacking around France for two weeks in September, travelling around on the train. It’s about a decade since I last went to France and most of my previous holidays there have been family camping holidays when I was a kid.

At the moment I’m thinking:

Eurostar to Paris, then Paris for 3-4 days as I’ve never been before.

Loire Valley. Saumur, Amboise, Orleans and/or Blois. 3-5 days
Would like to visit the absinthe distillery at Saumur and Leornado Da Vinci’s home at Amboise.

Then finish in Dordogne for the caves (based in Perigeux?) or alternatively 2-3 days in Lyon.

Have also considered adding Bordeaux, Nancy or Toulouse to my itinerary

Would be grateful for any recommendations or advice from anyone who’s visited these places

#2

Le M&M’s Monde.

Paris catacombs are amazing, but terrible if you don’t like skulls or spiral staircases.

6 Likes
#3

Parc Asterix

2 Likes
#4

It would probably be monde de m&ms wouldn’t it?

#5

I’ve read about the catacombs but wasn’t sure if it was that accessible for tourists. Don’t want to get stuck there.

#6

For a more authentically French theme park experience than EuroDisney?

1 Like
#7

Did a variation of this a few years ago when I was over there for Euros. Basically spent the best part of a fortnight travelling around the South of France by train. It was absolutely fantastic.

Bordeaux is a really nice city - it’s got quite a relaxed and friendly atmosphere about the place. Actually liked it so much I went back the next year. Toulouse and Montpellier are worth a look, too. Carcassonne’s old town is really picturesque, like walking round a film set for Robin Hood, but it does get clogged with tourists.

The trains are pretty good (if they’re not on strike) and good value compared to the UK. SNCF has quite a good app which is useful for journey planning. Be prepared to get irked after a while by the little jingle they play before the platform announcements. The TGV is rightly admired, but I think I preferred the slightly slower Intercites which have old fashioned carriages with comfortable seats and big windows so you can enjoy the view.

1 Like
#8

Thanks a lot for that! Actually went to both Carcassone and Montpellier the last time I was in France. Both great though!

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#9

The Catacombs if you’re into that!

#10

Do you just wander in to the catacombs yourself or are there tours? From what I read it sounded a bit lawless down there

#11

I think they should probably vote in a less neoliberal President, but otherwise I guess it’s a big glasshouse to recommend the French do anything right now.

#12

Biarritz

1 Like
#13

Well worth a read, not that it’s really about the catacombs that are open to the public

#14

Go for a shit at Gare du Nord.

#15

Alright epimer

#16

Just reminded me of this film from a few years back (which doesn’t exist)

#17

There are a few of us.

#18

ba da da
da dum

1 Like
#19

If cycling is your thing the Loire has a great cycle path network. Getting about by train/bus might be a bit torturous and I don’t know about the absinthe place but certainly most of the wine tours aren’t in the centres of towns so not easy without transport.

+1 for Bordeaux, it has a really nice vibe and you could do the wine thing in that region or go to the amazing beaches if that’s of interest.

1 Like
#20

Been considering a bit of cycling. Seems like something you should do if you’re visiting France. Have heard that renting a bike for a few days is quite easy in most towns