[carls888]

Hi
as part of our large trip this year we are planning on staying in France for 6 weeks +. A two week stint in Paris and then???

I have been looking at St Remy, Roussillon, areas of Provence/Luberon and maybe cote d'azur.

I would love to know where you love as we would like to base ourselves somewhere in France the following year for 6-12 months and are checking it all out this year.

DH and I have been before, but 15 years ago and pre-children, so a completely different style of trip.

Thanks

C

[baddmammajamma]

I was a foreign exchange student when I was 16 (in Holland). We spent the entire summer in France -- the Loire River Valley and Provence. Both are gorgeous, but Provence holds a special place in my heart. It is so stunningly gorgeous, great weather (well, depending on when you go), with so much history. I love that there's also easy access to the Meditteranean and mountains. So breathtaking and "chillaxed."

Do you need a babysitter?

[lsolaBella]

I like St Emillion and the area bordering Spain and Andora.

Have a Soft Spot for La Rochelle (& Ile de Re)

It really depends on what you are looking for.

[The Old Bag]

Last trip we spent some time around the Uzes area near the Pont du Gard, it was magnificent and I often dream of living there!

We did day trips further south to the Camargue region which is also wonderful and quite different from anything else I've seen in France, it has been very laid back and rural feel and the Basque influence is obvious.

[FluffyOscar]

I still remember the smell of late summer fig trees as I walked up the hill to Cezanne's studio in Aix.

Sometimes, if the night is hot and the breeze is right, the smell of my neighbour's fig trees reminds me of that time.

[carls888]

Thankyou lovely travellers!
We will be there this year for the month of September.
IsolaBella, I auppose we are looking for beauty, food, unique Frenchness, not masses of tourists so much, relaxed charming fun.
We will be slow travelling and immersing ourselves in the culture as much as we can rathe rthan rushing around cramming sightseeing in. We will do that, of course, but at our pace and honestly just want to sink into the feel of the place.

I need some suggestions as I honestly do not know where to start. I think I have bookmarked about 10000000007899 gites all over France that look amazing and I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the choices...

C

[vswannie]

I have spent several years working this out over ten or so trips - some short, some very long. St Remy would be a fabulous base - outstanding scenery, great market, good for touring some of the lovely villages around Provence and the Luberon. I would also highly recommend Sarlat in SW France in the heart of the Dordogne. If you were able to split your time between those two places, I can guarantee you'd have a ball!

[The Old Bag]

If I was looking specifically for a place to live there, I'd stick with Provence.

A town with a village feel but big enough for a market and decent shops, close to a river and other sources of nature activities. Possibly the eastern parts for an easier drive to the Alps. Good connections to the TGV for Paris and Nice. That way you get the best of everything..... city, village, country, mountains, sea.

*swoons at the thought*

[lsolaBella]

Carcossonne, St Emillion, Cahors, Rocamadour.

Along the Dordogne River in SW France is lovely.

You can also do the sea and Pyrenees mountains on that side. I feel it is often overlooked for the more 'known' Provence.

Era PP suggestion of Sarlat is also beautiful.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 18/01/2013, 08:42 AM

[sakura73]

I loved Rouen and Bayeux in Normandy. The tapestry is a must-see, and Rouen is a lovely mediaeval town only an hour by train from Paris.

Also Angers, Tours and Saumur in the Loire Valley.