If you had 4 weeks in France where would you go?

[PariS]

Kurgy, I think your trip sounds amazing! I haven't traveled by car to many of these places, so can't give advice, but as you've already found out some of the others are very knowledgeable and will have good tips. I have taken lots of cruises tho and can tell you that Norwegian is exactly as your friend experienced. It's one of my least favorite cruise lines. Traveling on the QM2 would be a different experience entirely! You pay more up front, but don't get nickel and dimed along the way. I wouldn't recommend a 5 day transatlantic crossing for a first cruise either, as at-sea days drive some people nuts! Try a cruise with one full day at sea on the itinerary to see how you respond. Personally, I love being able to relax and enjoy the wide variety of amenities a ship has to offer and look forward to the at-sea days, and a transatlantic trip is on my bucket list.

PS--Nassau isn't my favorite, either. Have you been to Atlantis? It's fun to wander around there for an afternoon.

[holger]

It is hard to travel with young children but when we did it, we always found that being near a playground and/or park was essential as children like to be on swings and slides, doing rather than just seeing. So when looking at accommodations that is one thing to keep in mind. We actually skipped Carcasonne as some of my friends indicated it was overcrowded and very kitchy. If you are gong to be at MSM keep in mind that early mornings and after 5 P.M. are best as otherwise there are many large groups of tourists. So staying there may work best. Look at St Remy as one place for Provence, Sarlat for Dordogne. I love Dijon but Lyon actually has a great park where little ones can run about. Dijon is architecturally fascinating abut I wasn't looking so can say anything about activities for little ones.

My only advice would be to see if you can find bases that will allow you to move from them so you don't have to physically relocate so often. Twelve different accommodations including Paris with packing and unpacking would drive me crazy. It takes me at least a night or two to get used to new beds. My children were the same. So am big on day trips from home bases.

Sometime in late Spring will see if we can get an OPF get together posted to see who will be there. We will be in the 9th, in the same apartment as two years ago. Gail at Perfectly Paris is great and can suggest apartments near playgrounds. There are also merry go rounds in some parks and batobus trips on the SEine that all of you may find a nice way to get oriented.

Husband is OK but may need a later procedure to clear everything out. ( Kidney Stones.) Thanks for asking.

[mossie]

Pleased to hear that Mr H has lost his kidney stones. They are much better out than in, as my wife will confirm.

[rssilverandlight]

On the basis of the traveling I did in photographing for my book "The French Landscape: Images of a Special Light"
rssilverandlight.com

I would use the four weeks as follows, in this order:
2 weeks in Paris
1 week in Normandy
1 week in the Dordogne

You can do southern France the next time.
And I guarantee you there WILL be a next time !