Nantes or Dijon
Hi
looking to get some tips from my well traveled friends. I have the ferry crossing booked for end of June, early July 2017. However, I am in two minds. Me and my darling other half travelled to the Tours and Blois part of the Loire a couple of years ago. Had fantastic weather and hence an excellent time in and around the region. This coming year we were contemplating travelling nearer Nantes to try a different part of the Loirs. However, we are in two minds as we like to try something different each time. We went to Dijon many years ago without the Caravan and enjoyed the region but at the time we were both young and naive and did not really partake in Vin Rouge nor Blanc.
Fast Forward two kids, many foreign holidays, kids leaving home, etc etc, and we are thinking maybe somewhere around Dijon may be worth a go now that we are more mature and looking for something different.
Are there people on this forum who have done both the Loire around Nantes and the Dijon areas in France? If so, what would you choose if you had to pick one and why?
We enjoy walking, cycling (off road and on the flat), exploring little towns (not big cities), local delicacies, lots of sunshine, and of course a glass or two of the local wine if that info helps with any recommendations.
Thanks all and have a great New Year!
Comments
-
If it's good food and wine you want, Dijon is the place! We've spent some time around there and Beaune travelling South and returning North, and stopping off for 3 or four nights. Personally that was enough for us. I've a French friend who's brother lives in that area and she always says she finds the people stand offish and unfriendly. Can't say I've ever noticed that.
Nantes is further north and therefore the weather isn't as reliable . Clisson is a lovely smallish town surrounded by a wine growing area, mainly white wine , Pornic is very reminiscent of a lively Cornish fishing village. St Nazaire makes an interesting day out. There are a number of attractions in Nantes which friends have told us about but the actual city wouldn't be a place I'd spend more than 3 or 4 days.
We spend up to 4 months a year in the Vendee which is about 40 miles south of Nantes and love it. It's not known as a 'gastronomic area' but there are some excellent places to eat , you have to find them! We never run out of places to go and things to see and do. The beaches are lovely.
If it's cycling you like, the Vendee is the place to go . There is a network of cycling routes over the whole area. All well signposted.
0 -
We have done Pornic and Nantes and they are both worth a visit. We liked Pornic a lot. I would have thought the Dijon area a bit hilly, but we have only stopped off in the area for 1night on way to and from Annecy.
The Marais Poitevin is the area to go for cycling. We really like the cycling around Damvix you can go for miles following the canals..so relativity flat. I'd recommend having a look at the web site routeyou.com.
0 -
We've not been to Dijon itself, but to the Burgundy area which is a littel further south from Dijon. We too love cycling and that area has the Voie Verte running through various parts (old railway), website here: Burgundy by bike
You can download the maps for it, and there are also loops off the main route in various places.
We've also "done" many of the Loire areas which also has great cycle routes, but not the area near Nantes.
As for choosing between the Nantes area and the Dijon area, you would possibly get better weather in the Dijon area, but then again, nothing is guaranteed weather-wise. We've had times when the weather in Burgundy was pants, yet further west it was sunny.
0 -
Thanks Crissy, anothersunrise and InaD. Based on the feedback so far, it looks as if the region around Pornic is the place to go this coming year then. Perhaps save the region around Dijon for a stopover when we go further south. Hadn't considered the Vendee but I will investigate further.
This has been really useful for sorting out a dilemma for us. Much appreciated.
0 -
If you're thinking of the Pornic area then consider a little further south and anywhere west of Challans to the cost is excellent cycling as roads are quiet. You could also take in the Ile de Nourmoutier which has excellent seafood with oysters and mussels alocal speciality. Pornic is pretty but we've found it best for a day visit.
Maybe also think of the 2 other islands a bit further south, Ile de Re and Ile d'Orleans. Great cycling and food. Be quite busy when you're going though.
0 -
We stayed at a site called Camping la Boutinardière and to cycle into Pornic is via back roads and through vineyards. But there are some hills. There is a nice beach through a back gate from the site, and has a nice pool area. We took the car to Nantes for a day trip.
0 -
Over 30 years of visiting France we have covered most regions and always liked to try something different - started at the Loire, then Dordogne, then Auvergne, then Haute Savoie and so on. So, I would always say move on!
The point about Dijon is that it opens up Burgundy and the South (Ardeche, Provence, Med. etc) so if the weather turns you can head South. If the weather is bad in the Loire, you're stuck!
The Atlantic coast (Royan etc.) is another option and you can take in the Loire on the way.
The main thing is not to book and to keep your options open. That's the beauty of France.
0 -
Hi All
just resurrecting an old post to let you know I took on some of your advice.
Currently down near La Rochelle. Absolutely beautiful town. Cycled onto Ile De Re - hard going some of the time but well worth it. Stunning views from the bridge.
Weather could be better but I know that most of France isn't getting it great either.
Tomorrow, taking on advice from you learned folks and going biking round by Damvix.
Two more days to go then it's a long haul back to Calais.
Thank you all for helping me decide.
0 -
We recently stayed at 2 sites near Dijon, both within small towns with a lot of character. Troyes (ex municipal) site is a little quirky (virtually pitch anywhere and a little over grown) but so good for access to what is a delightful old town. Beaune is a similar town, maybe a little smaller, but the site is very good. Both stops were only one night stopovers so we didn’t see a lot around the area, but both towns well worth a visit.
1 -
Star, next time you could take the van in to Ré and do the miles of tracks on the island, then (if you want to) you can cycle to La Rochelle for the day and still have plenty of cycling on Ré.
doing it the other way round, you're probably out of breath, time etc without getting to see much of the island.
0 -
Having been to both Nantes and Dijon with a caravan I would choose Dijon. There is a site in walking distance of the city centre and plenty of interesting towns in the vicinity. The problem with Nantes is that it is a very big city and good sites are some distance outside. As a city I would say it has rather less charm than Dijon and there are fewer charming small towns in easy reach as the Loire estuary does leave the area around the estuary somewhat without great interest. Excellent restaurants in Dijon!
0 -
Exactly what we thought when we were there. We went onto the island a second time with the car and cycles a little bit but did not get much further than St Martin. So next time we go we will probably do what you said and stay on the island. We didn't do it this time because We weren't sure there was enough to see and do there but having been we know that there is plenty on the island and the cycle tracks are second to none.
0
