Interesting places to see and good sites

Tammygirl
Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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Fairly soon we are going to France, we are going to try a few areas that we haven't been to before so would welcome some suggestion for interesting places that we should try and see and of course sites that you would recommend.

The areas we are looking to visit are: South of France between Marseille and Italien border. The Alps region and the Provence.

On the way South we are looking at taking the Rouen route, Orleans, Bourges as we have already been to Clermont we were thinking of not going down that way but further East, is Nevers worth a look?  is it worth going across to Macon and then South or is St Etienne a better choice.

After we have visited these areas we are intending to go North to Luxembourg and from there back to Zeebrugge.

All suggestions welcomed, thank you.

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #2

    Tammygirl

    Am I right in thinking you already have your crossing booked as going to the Alps via Rouen seems a bit out of the way?

    David

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #3

    Will you be in the Alps too soon, Tammy? The wonderful Alpine garden at the top of the Lautaret Pass doesn't normally open till the first week in June. If you go now you will still have the views of these glaciers on the Meije, but will the road be open yet?

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #4

    Yes David, ferry booked Hull to Zeebrugge. going out beginning of May. We are looking at doing a round trip, rather than an out and back. We've come back from the Med via Clermont, Orleans, Rouen before so thought we would do it the other way round, but instead of going South of Clermont cut across to the A7 via St Etienne, drop down into the Provence then the Med, depending on the weather we may go straight to the Med before it gets too hot for us, then do Provence after, with Annecy etc. on the way back up.

    I know its more usual to go over the top of Paris when going to the Alps but we have plenty of time as the ferry back is not until the end of June.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #5

    That should be around the time we will be there ET I should think. Just wondering about roads, what ones should be good to use, we will be towing our trike on a trailer so need to be careful, we've never been there before so any advice would be good.smile

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,393 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #6

    I'm in the process of planning a French tour using "Visit France" Not too fussed about where we put our heads down, that will be dictated by what we find and how we feel about a place at the time. 

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2017 #7
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  • RJLJ
    RJLJ Forum Participant Posts: 148
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    edited April 2017 #8

    Can recommend St Remy de Provence and the Monplaisir campsite.  Fantastic archeological remains of a Roman town a short drive away.  St Remy is a 10 minute walk from the campsite and on 5 June (think I've got the date right) there's the Transhumance festival when the sheep start their journey to the mountains.  We saw it last year, the shepherds walk their sheep, donkeys, some goats around the town.  Its very popular.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited April 2017 #9

    We spent two weeks in Provence last year and the information of the places we went with pictures is on my blog. There is also information about Bourges where we stopped on the way back.

    https://jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/provence-aude-and-millau/

    This year we will be in the French Alps at the end of May staying at Campsite Nature and Lodge Les Domes de Miages which comes highly recommended.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #10

    Wow I'm liking what I'm reading. In fact I'm wishing we could do this, bit late for this year on the face of it but I may have to give it much thought and use my feminine wiles 😋😋. Oh it's no good even dreaming for this year too many commitments I fear until at least August. I think I'll settle for envy and learning. 😉

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited April 2017 #11

    So go in Septemberwink We went last year over to France at the end of August until the beginning of October for the first time and it was great. The sites were empty like in the spring when we normally go and our weather was good. Only difference was the evenings were not light for so long.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #12

    Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming please.smile

  • lesandang
    lesandang Forum Participant Posts: 243
    edited April 2017 #13

    For a beachy break try La Croix Valmer or Cavalaire Sur Mer we love it there. Becoming a second home, keeps drawing us back! Also doing a bit of a circuit will be there in three weeks so  Interested in your replies We're thinking about Avignon or Arles on the way, want to do some site seeing but hoping for the sun as well.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #14

    Thanks, same for us, sightseeing, sun and some cycling. Like a bit of variety these days.

    Have a good time.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #15

    Can recommend the area around Avignon/L'Isle sur La Sorgue (where we stopped)/ Gordes/Rousillion (the western end of Provence/Luberon). You could couple this with St.Remy which isn't too far away. Try to get to Arles on a Saturday for great market. Also interesting for Van Gogh history.

    Can also recommend a trip to Luxembourg, maybe taking in some of Alsace en route. Some very pretty places around Colmar.

    When visiting Lux, we stayed in Belgium, right on the border, I think it was at Arlon (ACSI) and drove to Luxembourg, not far away. The fuel was definitely cheaper in Luxembourg.

    Wherever you go enjoy yourselves.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #16

    Thanks WN, some useful suggestions there. I'm looking forward to exploring.smile

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #17

    Thanks WN, some useful suggestions there. I'm looking forward to exploring.smile

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #18

    Tammy, we don't have a m/h and haven't been for a few years but even if you don't take the m/h to St.Tropez you'll have to go. There is, or at least was, a large m/h aire right on the front by the marina. Not sure how good it would be with the trailer, maybe another m/homer could comment.

    We visited in the winter when hotel hopping one year. It was worth it for us even though I'd been as a young man many moons ago. For cultural reasons, you understand.

     

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited April 2017 #19

    "Can recommend the area around Avignon/L'Isle sur La Sorgue (where we stopped)/ Gordes/Rousillion (the western end of Provence/Luberon). You could couple this with St.Remy which isn't too far away. Try to get to Arles on a Saturday for great market. Also interesting for Van Gogh history."

    WN,thanks also from me  ......(piggybacking on the thread for info)

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #20

    Gosh its going to be awfully crowded at this rate winklaughing

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited April 2017 #21

    We'll hopefully be in the area mid to late May, so far coming via Grenoble and stopping at various places on the way to Provence/Cote d'Azur.  If weather bad - Italy  smile

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #22

    Same timings as us, agree with if not good weather Italy, although we are planning to do that next year, you never know. Do France have bad weather undecidedinnocentlaughing

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #23

    seconded, but dont let Chas see my post, lolwink

    going back in September, lovely site/pool, great location....locally, with beach/bars/restaurants at 500m or so, and a bit further afield with St Tropez around 10km and a lovely cycle possible via the 'touristique' (scenic) route....oh, and a gentle stroll to the local 'Domaine' and their beautiful garden.....

    a delight, cant wait.smile

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited April 2017 #24

    Do France have bad weather .....Well yes but hopefully not in the south in May/June (ever the optimist haha)  My friend had a horrible wet week in Nice a few years ago................(makes contingency plans for Lake Maggiore)  innocent

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #25

    When we were at work we often headed for Port Grimaud as there are several beachside sites just along from François Spoerry creation of a village by the sea. Its an easy walk into the Port Grimaud and you can catch the ferry across to St Tropez which saves a lot of hassle with the N98 which can be busy. The village of Grimaud is a little way up in the hills with superb views over the Golfe of St Tropez. You can even buy wine on tap. Apparently the former footballer David Ginola has a well regarded vineyard in the area.

    I can feel the warmth just thinking about the area!!!

    David 

  • lesandang
    lesandang Forum Participant Posts: 243
    edited April 2017 #26

    Will also be at La Croix Valmer in September, our second year of two visits! We try not to go there but can't help it! :)

  • lesandang
    lesandang Forum Participant Posts: 243
    edited April 2017 #27

    Thankyou Motorhomer, have just arrived at Monplaisir following your reference, it's a lovely site.