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Hi all,

I am taking my summer holidays in France this year. I intend to fly into Paris and spend 3 days (I will have the wife and 2 young kids with me - 10 and 4.)

After Paris, I intend to take the train to Burgandy, where we will pick up our campervan.

I have ZERO idea of an itinerary... except, I am very keen to take my family to the Loire Valley as my girls will simply love the chateaux.

My aim is to drive only a little. I want to drive and then set up camp, from the camp, we will explore for 2 or 3 days by bicycle.

At the end of the 3 weeks, I need to be back in Burgandy to return the campervan, from there, we will head on the train and ferry to continue our holiday in England.

I would HUGELY value someone giving me an itinerary that would be great for a small family in a camper. We love history, architecture and food and of course, I dont mind the odd sip of cider and wine!... I know that I can see this throughout France, but... I dont know what I should prioritise for this trip.

We dont have loads of cash and aim to do this as cheap as possible (July is already too darned expensive, but I am a teacher, so no choice with dates.)

Again, thanks in advance for thinking on this. I truly would value a route to take... we intend to travel back roads, which may also limit our distances... but, of course, if I need to, I can get onto a highway (although I am hiring an very old combi van, which probably wont like highway speeds.)

Regards

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1

Hi
I would say
1 week in Burgundy, south of Dijon for the wine area and visiting around
1 week in north Burgundy near Vezelay, Auxerre, Noyers sur Serein, Guedelon (castle on construction), Chablis wine area
1 week in Loire Valley

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2

Thanks!!! You wouldnt recommend driving up to Brittany? I cycled there many years back, but never done it in a vehicle.

Would my kids enjoy Burgundy? Really appreciate your help with this...

Regards

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3

Aghhhh Nooooo... I have to pick up the campervan in Bordeaux....

My apologies!!! I dont know how to edit my original post....

Regards

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4

Even better if you pick up the campervan in Bordeaux. You can :
- spend one week in Dordogne- Lot area ( a lot of castles, medieval villages, good food, rivers for swimming)
- one week in Aude area, cathars castles, plenty of wine, cycling alond Canal du Midi, Carcassonne, plenty of vineyards, Mediterranean sea
- one week in Basque country, Atlantic ocean, Pyrenees mountains, good food...

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5

Thanks so much for your patience... that sounds fantastic! That would mean missing the Loire, but as long as I keep my kids happy... I think that sounds amazing! Basque country is on the border with Spain? Would it be worth heading into Andorra?

Ive also got half an eye on where the Tour is going... and dates, I am guessing that there would be stages in the Pyrenees....

Thanks so much!!! This sounds really fantastic!!!

How many KMs do you think I would be driving to complete the circuit back to Bordeaux?

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6

Use the plan set out by sjeanmarc1 and don't bother going to Andorra. If you are in the western Pyrenees, you can hike or visit small villages. Andorra is okay for hiking in summer as long as you get away from the towns, but it's not worth driving over there from the west.

At your kids' age, I think I would prefer the ruins of the Cathar castles or some other castles in Dordogne, especially if you read up some of the history beforehand, than looking at big fancy rooms and furniture in the very polished castles in the Loire valley.

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7

For Andorra, on my opinion, it doesn't worth.
Basque country is Bayonne/Biarritz/Saint-Jean de Luz/Saint-Jean Pied de Port
For the kilometers
Bordeaux to Dordogne/Lot Area : around 200km
From Dordogne/Lot Area to Aude area : around 350km
From Aude area to Basque Country : around 500km
From Basque Country back to Bordeaux : around 200km

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8

Thanks guys, then its set!! I truly appreciate both of your time!!! I think, I will fly into London, ferry over and train to Bordeaux, then travel from there, head up to Paris and back to Oslo from there! Cant wait... just went and bought Lonely Planet France and a nice big atlas. I will buy local Michelin Maps there, so I can stay off the main roads!

Truly, I appreciate your kindness and patience!!

All the very best

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9

Have a good trip.

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