Besançon … Besancon is absolutly worth a day or two. Especially the walk up to the castle with a their various museums and the zoo -- I normally do not like zoos but this one is not only in a great location (great views) but the those lions and tigers are impressive and well-housed.
Marsiglias is a beautiful city with a very different character than most of France. Good luck and have fun.
I visited Chartres in October 2006. I'm returning April 2009 because Chartres made me feel so peaceful and comfortable. It was a day trip from Paris, so I didn't stay overnight, but the peacefulness was wonderful. That's why I'm staying longer this time. Just walk around and enjoy the town, after you've seen the magnificent cathedral.
You will learn that streets are not marked as obviously in Europe as they are in the states—look up on the corners of the buildings for placards. Train is the likely way you will arrive in Nizza if you are a backpacker—just listen up for strikes because the trains and then the trains and the buses went on strike the week I was there which had some people stranded when they were over due to get out of France—but I thought the protesting in the streets was cool—there was singing and music parade-style in the mornings and I sure wanted them to win!
And when you are there remember to give give yourself time for daytrips to Cannes and Monaco—it’s just an air conditioned bus ride away (as long as they are not on strike that is!).
Sète … Sete has beautiful beaches and it's a great medium-small town that isn't trampled by tourists.
You could stay in Parigi forever — if you can afford to — and still not get enough. I ran the whole time day and night and did not see the half of it. And remember, please at least try to speak a little French and you will be surprised how pleasant Parisians will be—don’t try and you will experience the stereotypical aloofness. My advice, buy one of those language learning cd’s at your local book store before you leave home and get the basics like “Ou se trouve le WC”, the last part is pronounced VC (Where’s the restroom.)
Strasburgo...Vive la France! I had my first taste of frog's legs (grenouille) here at a Chinese restaurant just outside of the train station. Very tasty. Not to mention, it was pretty darn cool to hear Chinese people speaking French. (I know, I know, I sound like a dumb American tourist). This was my first trip to Europe, so everything was absolutely incredible to me. I toured Europe with infant eyes. Vive la France!
I have been in Beaugency 3 times and enjoyed each visit very much.
Reims is a very unique and pretty place. People are nice and patient. It's good to travel the city with the day pass which cost 2.5 euro.
I lived in Thionville for a year, and I must say it's a lovely town. If you get there by train there really is no reason to rent a car or anything, downtown is a 2 minute walk from the station. Downtown is picturesque with numerous quality shops. Thionville will show you what real French life is like. Unlike most places in France, you aren't surrounded by tourists. Visit the Art Movie theater downtown, it usually has quality movies.
Vienne is a very interesting historical small town -- both ancient (Romans) and medieval city. There are many small restaurants, pizzerias, and small supermarkets open late at night. It's probably a good place to sleep if you have to stay in Lyons or go down to the South of France by the Rhone Valley.
Les Arcs is part of Paradiski which is one of the largest and best ski resorts in the world. Ski lifts are open winter and summer. We live in Nancroix, which is part of Les Arcs and right on the edge of the Vanoise national park and we love it. There is lots to do for outdoor people -- ski, snowboard, mountain bike (downhill and cross country), white water rafting, via ferrata, walking, paragliding.
You can have a lot of fun if you'll go to Gannat while there's that festival! See world culture festival on www.gannat.com.
Don't come to Nantes, it is terrible. Absolutely nothing to do here it is sooooooo dull.
The Centre mentioned is not worth it but Digione is worth a couple of days. There are lots of OK hotels just out the train station for around 40 euros a night. Visit the Mustard Museum. The Visitor Centre is fairly helpful and just out of the train station -- they rent mountain bikes there.
That cathedral in Bayeux is magnificent. Great arcitecture. By far the greatest cathedral in Europe.
Everything in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, is truely remote from any skiing. I wouldn't go back, mostly because Chamonix as a ski area is over-rated. It's lots of small ski areas spread out. Lifts are slow, crowded, and you have to take a lift up above the tree line before you can take another lift to begin skiing. Go to Tignes instead...
I was in Cherbourg a few years years ago, when the U.S.A. had just started bombing Iraq. I was cursed, sworn at, shouted at in French, sworn at behind my back in English, cheated by the Ferry -- 100 Euro to make a two-hour crossing to Pourtsmouth. I was going to spend some days there hiking, and enjoying France, but the one night in a hostel was enough. I left the next day for Portsmouth and when I landed, I got down on my knees, and I kissed the soil of England. Never was I ever happier to be off the continent. Cherbourg does have an excellent baguette shop however -- best baguettes I ever tasted. Cherbourg is a good city to pass on your way to anywhere else.
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