Balazs asked:
We’re going on our honeymoon to France this summer. (2009) What are the top five must see cities, besides Paris, to visit during the summer?
We’re going on our honeymoon to France this summer. (2009) What are the top five must see cities, besides Paris, to visit during the summer?
Two weeks is barely enough time to see Paris.
If you feel that you will be bored after two whole weeks in the most interesting city on Earth then you can take day trips to Versailles, Malmaison, Fontainebleau or Chartes.
Consider that every time you move from one city to another you must pack your bags, check out of your hotel, find your way to the train station or airport, wait for your transport to arrive, use up the actual travel time, get from the airport or train station in the new city, find your way to your hotel, check in, unpack and then do it all over again in just a day or two (assuming you are serious about seeing five cities in 14 days). You will spend half your time getting from one place to another and have only enough time in any one city to run around with a checklist of must see tourist sights. Its pointless, exhausting and runs up expenses.
Instead, spend the money you’d otherwise spend on going from one place to another to upgrade your hotel in Paris or, better still, rent an apartment for two weeks and not only see the sights in Paris in depth but have the time to get to know a neighborhood in Paris, establish yourself at a local cafe, find a great neighborhood restaurant and become, if only for a couple of weeks, a regular.
If you do that then at the end of your vacation you’ll be relaxed and return home refreshed and with great memories. Try to see 5 or 6 cities and you’ll be exhausted, annoyed, and barely able to remember where you’ve been.
yes…day trips to other cities are fantastic and i absolutely lover versailles…also mulon rouge and cannes are nice
Antibes in the South of France, Chartres, Rouen and St Malo are my favourites
Two weeks is not enough to see France; however if this is the only time you will have then consider visiting Paris, of course. Much of France’s culture is found here.
You should then visit Versailles. It’s a beautiful palace with magnificent gardens. It will take you an entire day to visit the whole palace, however, so start your day early. Also you may be able to visit the tiny palace estates of Marie Antoinette.
Also, visit Chantilly. It has a magnificent castle, and in my opinion is one of the best honeymoon sites. Chantilly also has a wonderful restaurant with great ambience, as well as horse stables you can visit.
Visit Fontainebleau as well. Here you will find a palace where Napoleon spent most of his time with his family.
Lastly, I suggest you visit Cannes. It would be very romantic to go on a honeymoon in the South of France. There are plenty wonderful beaches that you will find here.
If you are visiting France for two weeks, however, I would suggest that you go palace hopping. It takes about a day to do this, and you can hire a van service to take you to Chambord, Loire, etc.