Category: Off the Beaten Track in France
How would you spend six weeks in France?
In this episode of Join Us in France, host Annie Sargent chats with Liz Van Monfort from Christchurch, New Zealand, about her unforgettable journey through France. Liz and her husband spent six weeks exploring the country, attending the Rugby World Cup, and immersing themselves in local culture. From iconic cities like Paris and Lyon to charming villages in Provence, Liz shares her experiences with home exchanges, navigating French transportation, and discovering hidden gems along the way.
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If you're dreaming of an extended stay in France, this episode is packed with travel tips, practical advice, and inspiration for making the most of a long trip.
Why Six Weeks Across France?
For many travelers, a week or two in France feels too short. Liz and her husband wanted to take their time, fully experiencing the places they visited. Their trip was planned around the Rugby World Cup, but they made sure to explore beyond the stadiums.
Using a mix of buses, trains, and rental cars, they navigated France from north to south, taking in historic landmarks, stunning scenery, and delicious food. They even included a short side trip to Barcelona!
Highlights of Liz’s Journey
1. Paris: A Perfect Base for Exploration
Liz and her husband spent three weeks in Paris, using a home exchange to stay in a comfortable apartment in the 17th arrondissement. This approach helped them save money while living like locals.
While in Paris, they explored famous landmarks like Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, but they also ventured beyond the typical tourist attractions. They took a day trip to Château de Chantilly, visited Les Invalides, and enjoyed the city's vibrant café culture.
One of their biggest takeaways? The Paris Metro is the best way to get around, especially on game nights when stadiums were packed with rugby fans.
2. Rugby, Road Trips, and Rural France
Since rugby was at the heart of their trip, Liz and her husband traveled to several cities for matches. They watched games in Lyon, explored the Côte d'Azur, and drove through Provence, where they visited Cassis, Les Baux-de-Provence, and the famous Carrières de Lumières light show.
Their experience renting a car in France was smooth, thanks to having international driver’s licenses. They quickly learned that while French highways (autoroutes) are efficient, the real magic happens on the scenic backroads.
3. Champagne, War Memorials, and Northern France
One of their most moving experiences was visiting the World War I battlefields and cemeteries in Northern France. They spent time in Ypres, Belgium, attended a special ANZAC memorial service, and visited the Somme and Passchendaele sites where thousands of soldiers from New Zealand and Australia fought.
They also took a day trip to Reims, where they toured the Veuve Clicquot champagne house and enjoyed tastings in the heart of Champagne country.
4. Home Exchanges and Budget-Friendly Travel Tips
Liz highly recommends home exchanges for long-term stays in France. By swapping homes through homeexchange.com, they were able to stay in a Parisian apartment for three weeks at no cost, making their extended trip more affordable.
She also suggests using Wise cards for currency exchange, Splitwise for managing shared expenses, and the SNCF Connect app for train bookings.
What They Learned About France
After six weeks across France, Liz and her husband fell in love with the country. They were impressed by how welcoming and friendly the locals were, even with their limited French. They also learned that:
- Grocery shopping in France is a delight, with fresh baguettes, cheese, and wine at every corner.
- Paris is best explored on foot or by metro, but buses are great for scenic rides.
- Train tickets should be booked in advance for the best deals.
- Navigating French washing machines can be tricky (yes, really!).
Their experience left them eager to return. Next time, they hope to stay even longer and explore more regions, including the Loire Valley, Dordogne, and Brittany.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're planning a short visit or a six-week adventure across France, this episode is packed with useful travel tips, insights, and inspiration. Liz’s story proves that slow travel allows for deeper connections, more meaningful experiences, and the chance to truly embrace French culture and daily life.
Tune in to episode 531 of Join Us in France to hear all the details!
Have you spent an extended period in France? Where would you go if you had six weeks to explore? Let us know in our social media accounts listed below!
Table of Contents for this Episode
More episodes about slow travel in France
#FranceTravel, #VisitFrance, #TravelPodcast, #ExploreFrance, #FrenchCulture, #ParisTrip, #ProvenceTravel, #FranceBucketList, #RugbyWorldCup, #TravelTips, #HomeExchange, #FrenchFood, #HiddenGems, #FranceAdventure, #BordeauxWine, #ParisMetro, #HistoricFrance, #FrenchRoadTrip, #TravelMore, #JoinUsInFrance
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TranscriptCategory: Off the Beaten Track in France