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Post by holger on May 26, 2007 10:22:25 GMT -5
;D
Would welcome suggestions, additions,subtractions for our August-September trip for restaurants, things to see, etc.
After arrival and overnight in Paris we pick up rental car and drive to base in Amboise for 4 nights. That afternoon plan to tour Chateaud'Amboise and then rest and have dinner at l'epicerie. Next day plan on seeing Le Clos Luce and wandering Amboise with an evening show at the Chateau on times of Francois 1st. Third day thought of going to see either Chateau Chambord or Chateau de Chenonceau. The other on the fourth day. Don't know if we should try to do more each of these days than just drive to small towns and explore.We also have not made any other dinner reservations nor are we fixed on these Chateaus so we are open to suggestions. Fifth day we leave for Dordogne.
In Dordogne, our four night base is in Sarlat. After arrival in Sarlat, explore town, eat maybe at Restaurant Rossignol and to bed for early start next morning. I have taught prehistory for many years and so want to visit certain caves to see things directly. Want to visit Grotte de Font de Gaume and Grotte des Comberelles which I know must be reserved. Would also like to see Les Eyzies nearby and the Prehistory Museum. makes for a long day but the tours are only an hour each so even with lunch I hope this is possible. If not, will split into two days.
Will probably want to eat dinner near or in Sarlat and then collapse. Next day off to Lascaux II which is a repro of the original Lascaux. But don't want to add to the deterioration of the original. If we can, I would also like to go to peche Merle near Cahors. Restaurant advice appreciated. Fourth day again just thought we would drive and just find spots that we found appealing, returning to Sarlat to leave on the fifth day for St. Remy in Provence.
Drive to St Remy and on arrival explore town and eat locally. Where? We might stop in Nime on way--have to look at map again. Second day go to Arles or Avignon or Aix. Each place has one or two sites but then we thought we would just go to smaller towns. One day we planned on driving into the Luberon. It seems harder to get a handle on what to see and where to eat here than either the Loire or the Dordogne. So really need advice. We will be in St. Remy for four nights leaving on the fifth day for a return for two nights to Lyon.
We know we want to go to the Resistance Museum in Lyon which we missed last June and eat at Georges Blanc's Splendid. Then we go to Paris for eight days of walking and eating and a few missed museums and hopefully a performance at Opera Garnier.
Thanks to all who reply in advance. ;D
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Post by annettecinca on May 26, 2007 10:48:32 GMT -5
Holger, this sounds like an absolutely wonderful trip! I'm drooling! I haven't been any of the places you mention except Aix, and we loved it. I really want to return and spend more time there than we had on our last visit. Sorry I can't compare it to any of the other towns you are thinking about visiting, but I'm sure someone will chime in with some good advice for you.
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Post by cybee on May 26, 2007 10:56:13 GMT -5
Holger, Your plans sound splendid! I would love such a trip! (Sadly, I can't provide any pointers..but just think it sounds lovely!). So you taught pre-history and ? and your hubby taught ...oh, goodness...was it anthropology? (or was it archeology?). At anyrate...your trip sounds so wonderful! I am just dreaming vaguely about my 2008 trip...hope to start solidifying plans sometime within the forseeable future! ha!  |
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Post by GitteK on May 26, 2007 10:56:25 GMT -5
holger - now I am not quite sure if this is on your route, but wouldn't it be obvious for you and your Danish husband to visit the winecastle: Château de Caïx , in CAHORS, on the Lot-river. Château is run and owned by "you-know-who-Prince-Henrik-of-Denmark !? Queen Margrethe, Henrik and most of the family spend a good part of their summervacation there. www.g-vigouroux.fr/gb/cah3.htm |
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Post by holger on May 26, 2007 13:35:12 GMT -5
Hi all, What would you suggest in Aix? I am the anthropologist. Husband is retired Professor of Criminal Justice. We will see if we can get to Cahors on this trip. I will post everything in late September when we return. In the meantime, I am hoping to get more responses from people with tips on what to see and where to eat. Thanks.
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Post by iank9 on May 27, 2007 4:54:21 GMT -5
Hi Holger, In Amboise, there is a very good market on a Sunday which does get busy, but very picturesque overlooking the River Loire. Karen suggests a tea-room beneath the city wall that sells really yummy pastries and deserts. On the D751 from Chaumont to Amboise, and Amboise to Tours there are several wine caves (driver beware)! In Tours( www.ligeris.com/index_us.html ) you could visit the old town, very medieval, and many restaurants in the old square. If you want to push the boat out restaurant wise, vist Bardet’s Restaurant (** Michelin). www.jeanbardet.com/ . We dined here two years ago. Very, very good. South of Tours you have Montbazon, with a nice market on a Tuesday and Saturday. There is a picturesque restaurant, Les Guingettes, on the banks of the River Indre, behind the tourist office. Nothing flash, but location, location, location!  The view back over the flower decked bridge is just magical. Friture et frites a must with a bottle of chilled Touraine Sauvignon! To the east of Montbazon you have Azay –Le-Rideau with a picturesque chateau, and old centre with several good restaurants. On the D57 to Villaines les Rochers and the basket weaving centre and museum (Karen’s suggestion). Their products are exported world-wide. Further east again you will find Chinon. The lower road approach to Chinon (D21) gives you a stunning view of the Chateau (see photo).  Look at Chateau vistas, but personally not worth a look around. In the city take a petit train & have lunch. Restaurant wise it has to be L`Océanic 13 rue Rabelais, stunning seafood restaurant, and a bottle of old vine muscadet! Walk or take car to Clos D’Echo and Couilly Dutheil for a wine tasting. This is situated behind the chateau at the top of the hill, and has its own parking area. tourisme.chinon.com/indexgb.phpwww.coulydutheil-chinon.com/www.chinon.com/wine/index.htmlTo the east and south of Montbazon you will find many goat’s cheese farms, and a wine route. You will also find Crissay Sur Manse, named as one of the most beautiful villages in France. www.cometofrance.com/villages.htmlA good general internet reference for the area can be found at www.lvo.com/GB/INDEX.HTMLEnjoy your trip!!  |
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Post by GitteK on May 27, 2007 5:01:41 GMT -5
wauw !! Ian - I exalted you for that post - marvellous ! Do you really take those 2 sharpteethed predators with you all over Europe ? If yes, please do NOT go any further north than Berlin.....  |
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Post by holger on May 27, 2007 6:09:24 GMT -5
Iank9, Even my three cats thank you and Karen for that very interesting and useful information. I really appreciate your taking the time to provide it. Holger |
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Post by Shoesy on May 27, 2007 7:13:18 GMT -5
Ian - Lovely pictures and darling pooches.  |
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Post by Shoesy on May 27, 2007 9:28:04 GMT -5
Doggies
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Post by GitteK on May 27, 2007 10:29:48 GMT -5
Shoesy - I know you were referring to those creatures. I just wouldn't have choosen such a cutesy word for someone who can turn you into mincemeat in 5 minutes....  |
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Post by Shoesy on May 27, 2007 11:04:01 GMT -5
Gitte, I knew you understood the word "pooches" .(You're really American under that Danish exterior, right? - LOL) I simply wanted to provide another cute word because you apparently didn't like the first one that I used when referring to those nice looking canines. I suggest you take another look at their sweet, innocent faces and then you'll see that you've misjudged them.  |
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Post by annettecinca on May 27, 2007 11:46:56 GMT -5
Holger--when I get back home later this week, I'll look up my Aix info and will post if I find anything noteworthy!
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Post by iank9 on May 27, 2007 11:57:58 GMT -5
Hi everyone, My little princesses wouldn't hurt anyone! They are mother and daughter, Beth, 10yrs, Molly 6yrs. I use them both at college on a Diploma Course in Animal Management, where students, health check, groom and observe and interpret behaviour. They are also therapy dogs, and are used by students with learning and physical disabilities, and are an aid to teaching. You will be amazed by the effect they have on these students in classroom and practical activities. At my behaviour clinic, they are used as "stooge" dogs, in that they are non-reactive to other dog's behaviour and means I can watch "problem" dogs and their "problem" owners in a safe environment! Yes, they do travel with us in Europe, and to date we have never had a problem. Always served first in restaurants and cafes (the dogs, not us!), from Fouquets on the Champs to small countryside Auberges in the Loire and Normandy, including their own Plat de Jour at a small Auberge at Ste Catherine de Fierbois!  On the Pont Alexandre, with scarves purchased on the Rue de Rivoli  At Les Guingettes, Montbazon on the River Indre  On the terrace at L'Oceanic, Chinon  Helping dad with the Moules! And yes, they really do not mind cats!! Best wishes |
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Post by holger on May 27, 2007 12:41:51 GMT -5
Jean Bardet looks great. As we work out which days we will be where, we will then plan our lunches and dinners.
Dogs are sweet. We used to have both dogs and cats but as we have gotten older, cats are easier. the three we currently have are so affectionate and people oriented they might as well be doggs except that they use litter boxes.
As we plan the days, I will post possible itineraries.
Thanks.
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Post by Shoesy on May 27, 2007 14:07:34 GMT -5
Beth and Molly seem even sweeter than I imagined before.
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Post by holger on May 29, 2007 6:52:13 GMT -5
;D Loire and Dordogne are coming together nicely at this point. Just e-mailed some of the Cave sites for reservations to be sure we can get in on the dates we will be there. Could still use restaurant suggestions for all areas. We need help in planning stay in Provence. We have four nights based in St.Remy but need advice on where to go from there. Should we try to get to Arles, Avignon and Aix or what? Arles has bull fighting and is likely to be very crowded but there are some Roman sites there. Avignon has Pope's Palace. Aix some pretty architecture. Or, are there some smaller, less well known places to visit?  |
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Post by iank9 on May 30, 2007 1:45:20 GMT -5
Hi Holger, A restaurant we have tried to visit a couple of times on spec for lunch has been the Domaine de L'Arbrelle , just outside Amboise on the D31 road towards Chenonceaux www.arbrelle.com/indexflash.php?lng=enUnfortunately it has always been quite full. It gets good reviews and the menu is quite reasonable. A restaurant we have had lunch was the Auberge de Launay which was good, again not expensive, just off the very busy N152. This was a couple of years ago with some friends, one of whom was a vegetarian, who ended up eating a plate of vegetables (probably cooked in goose fat)!!! www.aubergedelaunay.com/index_en.htmlFurther a field at a village called Onzain (towards Mesland) we enjoyed a really good meal at a village auberge Le Pont de something (sorry can't remember the last bit). Really good Steak Frites, and Moules Mariniere! This area is worth a drive around. The local red, Touraine Mesland, is light, best served slightly chilled, and the countryside very pretty, with opportunities for a tasting or two! Hope that helps |
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Post by holger on May 30, 2007 9:05:05 GMT -5
Thanks Ian, I have bookmarked the web sites.
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diz
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by diz on May 30, 2007 16:43:01 GMT -5
Holger, we're going to Provence for a couple of weeks later this summer and I'm starting to plan sightseeing and activities - which sounds like we shall see lots, but I've had a strong request from my family to have a day off between 'visits' so that they can relax! I spent some time in Provence, years ago, and I'm having to discard my nostalgic vision of revisiting everything :-(
I have a feeling you know a lot of these places anyway, but as there are no other suggestions, I thought I'd chip in with my ideas for our holiday, for what they're worth:
Roman remains - probably go to Arles, as you mention. If I can persuade the others, I'd also like to go to either Vaison-la-Romaine or the excavations at Glanum near St Remy, which I thought were interesting. I've been trying to find info on summer festival performances in the Roman theatres in Arles and in Orange but I can't find anything which appeals. There was some Provencal dancing in the theatre once when I was in Arles, and it was one of those nice serendipity moments.
I think we'll also go to the Pont du Gard - we went several years ago, but it's worth a return visit. I'm going to find out about canoe hire on the Gardon - I rather like the idea of floating down the river and stopping off at the beach within sight of such an amazing structure.
By way of contrast, a day in the Camargue - I have really nice memories of walking round the walls at Aigues-Mortes, and looking across the flat marshes. This time, I think I might also need to find out about visits to see bulls and cowboys ;-)
We'll visit the Luberon and Cassis / the calanques, which I don't know at all.
I've also pencilled in Avignon (see the entertaining comment on TA!), and the Ventoux (for the cyclists in the family).
I'm now working on the reserve list, or the places I think I can fit alongside the highlights without inducing mutiny in the ranks.
Like you, I need some ideas for restaurants - all ideas welcome.
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hahahha