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Categories: Family Travel, Travel with Mobility Issues
Mother-Daughter Celebrating a 75th Birthday in France: A Road Trip to Remember
What happens when a lifelong Francophile finally gets to explore France for her 75th birthday? In episode 539 of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast, host Annie Sargent chats with Vanessa Christman from California. Together, they share a joyful and practical look at a Mother-Daughter Celebrating a 75th Birthday in France. This trip covers everything from abbeys in Burgundy to perfume-making in Grasse, and the ups and downs of traveling with someone with reduced mobility.
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Accommodations Vanessa Recommends
We stayed at a combinations of hotels, apartments, and B&Bs:
Ibis Styles CDG Airport
- Liked: Close to the airport, affordable but not run down, good included breakfast.
- Disliked: Small rooms, smelly bathroom.
Tournus: "Le Chardonnay - Locationtournus"
- Liked: Tasteful, spacious, fantastic location close to the river and city center, kind and responsive host, and great amenities.
- Disliked: The first-floor description didn’t include information about the steps before the main staircase. The main staircase is steep with uneven steps, and a tiny toilet room.
Carro/Martigues: CARRO
- Liked: Amazing location, close to a lovely little beach and well-reviewed restaurant. Spacious, clean, great showers, great kitchen, wonderful outdoor seating/lounging area. Thoughtful host who provided recommendations and a little gift.
- Disliked: Off-street parking was great but difficult to get into, undisclosed steps from the parking area to the “ground floor” apartment, and no railing on the steps.
Valence/Charmes-sur-Rhône: Le Carré d'Alethius (Hotel/Restaurant)
- Liked: Very cute small hotel, unexpectedly lovely area, close to the freeway for a convenient stopover, fantastic hotel restaurant (one Michelin star).
- Disliked: Undisclosed steps with no railing to “ground floor” room, difficult shower/bath for my mom, breakfast not included, and small when we paid for it.
Near Cheverny in Loire Valley: Domaine de La Rabouillère:
- Liked: Beautiful grounds, rented a lovely onsite gite with daily breakfast delivery and setup/cleanup, very kind owners, charming dog, comfortable beds, owners make their own honey which is exceptional, really close to Cheverny and Chambord, not too far from Blois. My favorite place I’ve stayed in on multiple trips to France.
- Disliked: The complicated shower/bath setup (with no shower curtains) made it difficult for my mom to bathe. Someone unfamiliar with small country roads might be worried about driving (we weren’t).
Chantilly (to be close to CDG for AM departure): Best Western Plus Hotel Du Parc Chantilly
- Liked: Clean, nice hotel in great location in Chantilly. Rooms large for French chain hotel
- Disliked: limited parking, limited dinner and breakfast times at hotel restaurant, hotel tub difficult for Mom
Planning a Birthday Road Trip
Vanessa’s mother had dreamed of visiting France her entire life. She read books about French history, culture, and architecture for decades. When she turned 75, Vanessa offered to plan and drive for a celebratory trip. A friend joined them, and their two-week journey began.
They flew into Paris Charles de Gaulle, spent a recovery night near the airport, and picked up their rental car the next morning. From there, they drove 2,000 miles across France, visiting multiple regions. If you’re considering a road trip in France with an older traveler, this episode is packed with tips.
Where They Went in France
The route was built around three must-see places: Provence, the Mediterranean, and the Loire Valley. But they also explored Burgundy, the Ardèche, and Chantilly. Their first overnight stop was Tournus in Burgundy, a town with a historic abbey and riverside charm. It wasn’t on the typical tourist path, but they loved the local vibe.
From there, they headed to Carro on the Côte Bleue near Marseille. The sandy beaches were a hit, and their Airbnb offered stunning sea views. Day trips to places like Vaison-la-Romaine, Carpentras, and Gigondas gave them a taste of Provence’s markets and wine country.
Making Perfume in Grasse
A big highlight? Creating custom perfumes at Molinard in Grasse. Vanessa, her mom, and their friend each made a signature scent. It was fun, educational, and a sensory delight. They learned about top, middle, and base notes. Plus, the house keeps their formula on file forever. If you love fragrance, this is a must-do in Provence.
Michelin Stars and Charming B&Bs
They broke up their drive with an overnight in Charmes-sur-Rhône, where they stayed at Le Carré d’Aléthius. The restaurant there holds a Michelin star and offered a memorable meal, especially the cheese board.
In the Loire Valley, they based themselves at Domaine de la Rabouillère, a countryside B&B near Cheverny. Vanessa praises the hospitality, the comfort of the beds, and the home-produced honey served at breakfast. It was the perfect spot for day trips to Chenonceau and Fontevraud Abbey, where Eleanor of Aquitaine is buried.
Accessibility Tips
Vanessa shares useful advice for anyone traveling with a senior with reduced mobility. Staircases, bathrooms, and accessibility often don’t match expectations. She recommends calling ahead and requesting "PMR" rooms (Personne à Mobilité Réduite) in hotels. Chain hotels may be more reliable for accessibility than charming rentals.
A Real French Adventure
This Mother-Daughter Celebrating a 75th Birthday in France journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. They faced a hailstorm, a bad bottle of wine, and a disappointing French taco. But those moments added color and laughs to the story.
They ended their trip in Chantilly to be close to CDG. A quick stop, but the château and peaceful town were a lovely end to a big journey.
Tune In for the Full Story
If you’re dreaming of a family road trip, especially a Mother-Daughter Celebrating a 75th Birthday in France, you’ll love this episode. Vanessa shares so many tips on renting a car, choosing destinations, and making the trip special for everyone.
Listen to episode 539 of the Join Us in France Podcast. It’s a warm, honest, and inspiring look at how to celebrate life through travel in France.
Table of Contents for this Episode
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Transcript Guest NotesCategories: Family Travel, Travel with Mobility Issues