Can you recommend out of the way places in France?

[bif]

We're going on a budget since I'm currently underemployed. We're been there several times before so we've done a lot of the touristy places. We're bringing our daughters for the first time and want to visit some smaller and less expensive towns. We'll head out of Paris after a couple days and head soutn.

[Parche]

1. out of the way places

Spain, Portugal, Italy???

[bif]

12. Thanks for the useful info!!!

[babylonsister]

2. Peter Mayles' "A Year In Provence" made me want to

go there-a delightful read. You might want to check it out for inspiration. Enjoy!

[bif]

4. The PBS special was great too.. Did you see that?

[babylonsister]

5. Sadly, no. But I'll keep my eyes peeled for it!

Frances Mayes wrote "Under the Tuscan Sun" which might give you add'l ideas. I'm envious! I await your trip report! :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Pont Avon in Britteny is an artist's community

cheap and charming

[bif]

11. Ki\ckola

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. Hendaye - a very peculiar place, at the west coast, by the Spanish border

I actually went from Spain to France in a cab, over a bridge. Very cheap hotels to stay in near the train station. You go up the railtracks about half a mile, cross them and you get to a gorgeous park with a view to the sea.

[Kellanved]

7. How far out?

I recommend Burgundy: It is laid back and cheap, yet within commuting distance to Paris by TGV. Go to the Chatlion sur seine area: the best cheese and the best wine France has to offer and everything quite affordable. Plus: cultural places to visit in abundance.

I have extremely fond memories of the Val des Mas in Beaunotte sur Seine. Have a Sunday lunch there, if possible.


Also: if you're not going in summer, the Lot area can be quite nice: great wine, nice landscape.

[SnowGoose]

8. Oradour-sur-Glane (if the kids can take it)

It's in the south - a small villiage that was completely destroyed by the Nazis in retribution for something or other (some say it had to do with the 'missing Nazi gold').

Anyhow, the villiage was just left as it sat - never rebuilt. It's a pretty powerful experience.


Here's a picture of a car left behind after the owner was killed.

[Zuni]

9. no, it was destroyed in retribution for a partisan attack that killed

SS officers

The Waffen SS 2nd Div. Das Reich was responsible

[bif]

10. Thanks all. Keep 'em comin'

We'll have a car, so distance is no object.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Have a great time, I'm going soon too!

I'm going to Paris for 3 weeks at the end of next month, but I've never been before...I'm so excited! Have a wonderful time with your family! :hi:

[bif]

14. Thanks.

You have a great time too.

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. Luxembourg....

Okay, it's not exactly *IN* France (next door), but it is a charming, out-of-the-way place.

[barb162]

16. Avignon and I bet the kids would like the old buildings

[Midlodemocrat]

17. I always have loved Tours

and Mont St. Michel. The drive there is simply gorgeous and you get a real feel for the beauty of the country.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Near Paris, Versailles and Giverny

Also the Alsace-Lorriane region has some lovely towns - Strasbourg (sp?) and Beaune. In Provence - Arles, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, St. Remy.

Also, Noramandy & Brittany are supposed to be beautiful as well, although I haven't been there yet.