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Categories: Family Travel, France How To
Is France on Your Travel List? Here’s What You Need to Know!
Planning a trip to France can be overwhelming. There are so many regions to explore, markets to visit, and scenic routes to take. How do you decide where to go and what to prioritize? In this episode of Join Us in France, host Annie Sargent sits down with Theresa Watkins from Kansas City to talk about her two trips to France. Theresa shares her experiences exploring Paris, Provence, Normandy, and the French Riviera. She gives practical travel tips, insights into navigating markets, and advice for making the most of your time in France.
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If you're looking for recommendations on the best markets in Provence, driving tips, or hidden gems in France, this episode is packed with useful information.
How Long Should You Stay in Each Region?
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is trying to see too much in too little time. Annie advises staying at least seven days in Paris and Provence and five days in other regions to get a real feel for the place. Theresa agrees. Even with 12 days in Provence, she still had to cut things from her itinerary.
Their advice? Slow down and enjoy each place rather than rushing from one city to the next.
Accommodations Theresa Recommends
Le Monton Blanc - Mont. St Michel - awesome to be there at night when it is almost deserted. Hotel
was fine. Not fancy but very cool to be in such historical place at night.
Apartment Du Louvre - Paris very central and reasonable - front desk
very helpful
Hilton Le Havre - ocean view but cold when we were there
Marriott in Rouen - if had to pay then wouldn’t have stayed there. Under construction and inconvenient
to get to.
L'Auberge des seigneurs - in Vence, we loved sandrini and historical building and dinner there
Maison d'hôtes Une hirondelle en Provence in Roussillon: Balcony room had wonderful view. Easy walk to everything and central to get to other villages free parking. Don’t buy breakfast just walk to Boulangerie.
St Rémy de Provence Proche Centre Ville - Parking privé wonderful location with everything we needed. Would definitely stay again.
Hotel George Sand in La Seyne-sur-Mer Sur Mer. Beautiful view for reasonable price. Small rooms, people smoke on balcony. Check in lady was not friendly but maybe would be if spoke French.
Menton studio apartment was so nice. Well located and we absolutely loved the couple that rented it to us. Definitely recommend and we are going back to stay again.
Exploring the Best Markets in Provence
Theresa visited several markets in Provence, but one stood out the most: Lourmarin Market. It was large, vibrant, and filled with local products. She bought clothes, local food, and unique souvenirs. Other markets she visited, like those in Roussillon and Bonnieux, were smaller but still charming.
If you love navigating markets, you’ll want to plan your trip around market days. Markets in Provence happen on specific days of the week, and each town has its own schedule.
Another must-visit market is the Ventimiglia Market in Italy, just across the border from Menton. Held on Fridays, this market is huge and well-known for leather goods, fresh produce, and Italian specialties. If you’re staying in Menton or Nice, it’s worth the short trip!
Is It Worth Staying on Mont Saint-Michel?
Theresa and her family stayed overnight at Mont Saint-Michel at the Hôtel Le Mouton Blanc. While the hotel itself wasn’t luxurious, the experience of being on the island after the crowds left was magical.
They walked through the deserted medieval streets, enjoyed stunning night views, and were the first visitors inside the abbey in the morning. The downside? Dragging luggage up the steep, cobbled streets. Theresa recommends packing light if you choose to stay on the Mont.
Driving in France: Tips for Navigating Scenic Routes
Theresa debated whether to rent a car or rely on trains. In the end, she rented a car from CDG Airport and was happy with the decision. This allowed her to stop at small towns, visit Mont Saint-Michel, and explore Normandy at her own pace.
However, she warns about expensive tolls and recommends using a GPS to navigate. If you plan to drive in Provence or the Riviera, be prepared for narrow roads and heavy traffic near popular spots.
One of her favorite drives? The scenic route from Nice to Menton, with stunning Mediterranean views.
Unique Experiences: Running of the Bulls in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Theresa specifically planned her Provence trip to witness the bull races in Saint-Rémy. Unlike traditional bullfights, this event involves removing tassels from the bulls' horns rather than harming them.
Her Airbnb was right on the main street, so she had a perfect view of the running of the bulls. She loved the local festival atmosphere, fireworks, and the adrenaline rush of the event.
Flamingos in the Camargue: A Hidden Gem
Did you know France has pink flamingos? In the magazine segment of this episode, Annie shares fascinating facts about the flamingos of the Camargue. These birds thrive in the wetlands of southern France, filtering saltwater for food with their unique beaks.
If you visit the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau, you can see these majestic birds up close in their natural habitat.
The Future of the Paris Metro
Paris is upgrading its metro system with new MF19 trains, featuring USB ports, better ventilation, and open gangways for easier movement. These upgrades will improve travel comfort for both locals and visitors.
If you rely on the metro in Paris, you’ll soon see smoother rides and more modern trains!
Final Thoughts: Why Listen to This Episode?
This episode is packed with practical travel tips and real experiences from someone who explored France with an open mind. Whether you’re interested in navigating markets in Provence, renting a car in France, or finding unique festivals, Theresa’s insights will help you plan a better trip.
Thinking of driving in France?
️ Love exploring local markets?
Want to experience authentic French festivals?
Listen to the full episode of Join Us in France for expert advice and travel inspiration!
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Table of Contents for this Episode
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Discussed in this Episode
- Mont Saint Michel
- Hotel Le Mouton Blanc
- Monet's Garden
- Giverny Cafe
- Rouen
- Normandy Beach
- Bayeux Tapestry
- CDG Airport
- Arc de Triomphe
- Sainte Chapelle
- Conciergerie
- Pass Monument
- Du Louvre Apartment
- Seine River Cruise
- Canauxrama
- Bistro Cruise on the Seine
- Port de l’Arsenal
- Saint Rémy
- Saint Rémy Bull Races
- Saint Rémy Tourism Office
- Menton
- Ventimiglia
- Lourmarin Market
- Roussillon Market
- Bonnieux Market
- Vence Market
- Apt Market
- Villa Rothschild
- Nice
- Provence
- Rothschild Gardens
- Vence
- Carrières de Lumières
- Les Baux-de-Provence
- Pont du Gard
- Glanum
- Les Bories
- Canal Saint Martin
- Orsay Museum
- Eternal Notre Dame VR
- Paris Metro
- MF19 Train
- Alstom
- Paris Public Transport
- G Detou
- Dehillerin
- Versailles
- Queen’s Hamlet
- Cassis
- Calanques Cruise
- Marseille
- Toulon
- Tours by Locals
- David Blanc
- Join Us in France Podcast
- VoiceMap
- Patreon
- Pink Flamingos of Camargue
- Tour du Valat Research Center
- Adopt un Flamant
- MonFlamant.com
- Paris Metro Upgrades.
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TranscriptCategories: Family Travel, France How To