Mont Saint Michel
France, in Western Europe, providing numerous options for vacations. It is a country that you need to visit several times to absorb all it has too offer. Our first visit was in 2003, we have been back three times since and still have places to visit. This post will focus on additional regions outside of Paris that either are day trips from Paris or can be over night stays.
France encompasses medieval cities through the countryside, alpine villages for the outdoor enthusiast and Mediterranean beaches in the south. The country is also renowned for its wines and sophisticated cuisine.
Regions to Visit
A few of the regions that are must sees while visiting France are the Loire Valley, Normandy, Bordeaux, Marseilles and Giverny - home to Monet. You will quickly understand why one trip to France won't be enough.
Loire Valley RegionHow to get there
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is located in center of France, central to the valley is the Loire River. The region is best known for their famed wine industry and stunning chateaus. Loire is an easy day trip from Paris, either on your own or with a guide. We would recommend getting a guide to be efficient as well as it will allow you to absorb all the chateaus you will visit. There are primarily two options a guide that can meet you at the train station in Loire or you can take a motor coach to Loire. The train is only 4.5 hours from Paris.
Château de Chambord
Château de Chambord
It is largest chateau in the region, it is a famed hunting lodge built by François 1 consisting of 426 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 77 staircases. It is relatively sparsely furnished but the complex alone makes up for it.
Château de Chenonceau
Château de Chenonceau
Famous for being the chateau over the river, an architectural feat during its construction in 1515. The rose garden and yew tree maze provide an outdoor experience in itself. During World War it was used as a hospital.
Château of Azay-le-Rideau
Château of Azay-le-Rideau
It is in the middle of the Indre River standing on the island, known as one of finest early French renaissance architecture. Building started in 1518 for rich financier, Gilles Berthelot. He wanted a home to incorporate Italy's technical innovations with French's architecture.
Château Royal de Blois
Château Royal de Blois
Home to royals from Louis XII who built the oldest part of the chateau to Francois I who added the renaissance wing. During this period the very unique open circular staircase was constructed. This medieval castle became a royal residence and the political capital of France under Louis XII.
Château Royal d'Amboise
Château Royal d'Amboise
Confiscated by the monarchy in 15 th century where it became their favorite royal residences. Located in Amboise another architectural jewel of the Renaissance. Unlike the other chateaus this is in city center surrounded by the river and various city shops. It has been rebuilt over the years best known for where Francois 1st hosted Leonard de Vinci.
Goodbye Loire Valley Region
If you only have a few days in France and need to prioritize which day trips to take; the one you shouldn't miss is the Loire Valley. You will not be disappointed.
Normandy Region
Mont Saint MichelMonastery CourtyardLow Tide View from the top
Mont Saint Michel is a tidal island off the coast side of Normandy. Located on the northwestern coast at the mouth of the Couesnon River. At the top of the island is the medieval monastery which provides stunning views of mainland France. We chose to pair this with Bordeaux during our second visit to France which was only consisted of a few days in the northern France. It is an island that could only to be traveled to during low tide but with modern times a bridge was added so you can now walk across. For the day we did have guide on the island to navigate us around and up to the top of the monastery. This region can also be a day tour from Paris, by train it is only 4-4.5 hours. Instead of visiting WWII memorial sites our day was spent here which we would recommend.
Bordeaux Region
Bordeaux Vineyards
Based on our previous blogs we are avid wine drinkers so any time we can incorporate wine into our vacation we will. We spent two days tasting the small producers of Bordeaux led by our guide Hamish from Bella Wine Tours.
This was our first time to Bordeaux and our group was looking for an itinerary that would highlight the best chateaus off the beaten path that were not frequented by tourists. Hamish created a day packed with the history of wine making from local producers, private tastings and a cave tour. He shared his vast knowledge for wine, it is evident he truly loves what he does.
Why Not Bordeaux Region?
If you love wine there are so many wineries and regions to visit in France hence why one visit isn't enough. Cheers!
Marseilles -Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region
Marseilles, is the second largest city in France by number of people with one of the biggest commercial port along the Mediterranean Sea. The city is very easy to venture on your own, most of the landscape requires you to walk up hill but it is well worth it when you get to the top overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. We were only in Marseilles for the day on our way to Barcelona which again was enough to see everything. As few of the sites we visited were:
Old Port - rectangular port has been trading for 2,600 years, and is more of a whole district than a single sight Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde - Raises above the skyline south of Old Port. It is a 19th-century neo-Byzantine church with a large golden statue of the Virgin and Child at the top of its tower. La Corniche - an area to walk along the Mediterranean, you will pass beaches and little neighborhoods La Plaine and Noailles - site of the Greek colony where you can visit stylish boutiques and bars, they have a market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings selling everything from fresh produce to perfumes. Boulevard Longchamp -It is one of the oldest museums in Marseille
Old Port
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
La Corniche
La Plaine and Noailles
Boulevard LongchampFinal Region to Consider
Monet' Home
Another Normandy Region option: Giverny
His famous work
Giverny is a village in the region of Normandy in northern France. Famous for impressionist painter Claude Monet. He lived and worked here from 1883 until his death in 1926. His home is open to tours of his elaborate gardens and modest home. If you are a fan of the artist it is a quick train ride only an hour to see where he produced his famed water lily series. If you are in Paris and want to see impressionist works go to Musee d'Orsay there aren't any impressionist pieces in the Louvre.
Monet's Garden
In Closing
France as we have shared there are so many things to offer you hopefully understand why one visit isn't enough. It is a country that we love for a long weekend or a week filled with adventures and culture. If you go you won't be disappointed you will learn and absorb so much history and the numerous experiences you will have. Enjoy!!
France's Regions Travel Tips
Determine how best to pair the regions together, you can visit more than one How best to get there via train or motor coach. You know we will always recommend private guide and train. It will take you several visits to see all France has to offer and that is okay They are known for their food and wine, try it often you won't be disappointed. Learn a few phases in French, such as "do you speak English" and the basic etiquette ones - please, thank you, hello. Most people speak English but don't just assume they do. Other Travel Tips