France

Hi everyone, We’re heading to Hyères starting on 05/11/2025 and want to explore Porquerolles Island by bike. Is it better to book a bike in advance, or can we just rent one once we’re on the island? We’re not sure if tourist season will have started yet. Also, are there any bike rental shops you’d recommend? Or any spots on the island or in Hyères town that we shouldn’t miss?

We’d also like to visit either Bormes-les-Mimosas or Le Lavandou—any thoughts on which one you’d recommend?

Thanks for your tips! Yves

Hi there,

My summer trip between France and Montenegro is pretty much set.

Now I just need to plan the return route from Mostar.

On the way there, I took the Mont Blanc Tunnel, drove through Italy to Trieste, a small part of Slovenia, and then the Croatian coast.

For the return trip, I’d like to mix things up and avoid the Croatian coast.

So far, I’m thinking of stopping in Rastoke, Croatia, and then Milan, Italy.

Any other suggestions?

Hi everyone, I’m spending two days in Lille. Any places you’d recommend? I was thinking of visiting Vieux Lille, which I’ve been told about. Would you have any shops, museums, or typical restaurants to suggest for a great time?

Thanks! Have a nice day

Hi there, My brother and I (ages 67 and 64) want to hike the Douaniers trail from Vannes to Saint-Nazaire in about 15 days, give or take...? We're looking for info, great tips for accommodations, and anything else if someone has any...? A huge thank you. Take care. Twizzel

Hello,

I’m planning to spend a few days in Ardèche and I’d like to know if we should choose just one base or more to visit the region. Looking at the department map and the main sites to see, I’d personally go for 2 bases to avoid too much driving. So, if anyone who knows this beautiful region well could give me some advice on this, I’d really appreciate it in advance!

Hi,

My son has a soccer exchange in Léguevin, and I’m looking for accommodation in Toulouse. We won’t have a car, so I’m wondering if public transport is realistic between Toulouse and Léguevin? He’ll be playing during the day and in the evenings.

Thanks for your help! 😉

Hi there, We’ll be in Sartène this coming June and will be staying there. We’d love to listen to polyphonic singing. Do you know where that’s possible in Sartène and, if so, when during the first two weeks of June? Thanks for your help.

Hi everyone, after a stay in the South and one in the North, I’m planning a mini road trip in Corsica (Bastia-Bastia) in June to explore places I haven’t seen yet. Since we’re heading to the mountains later this year, we’ve deliberately skipped the Corsican mountains. Could you share your thoughts and, most importantly, suggest things to see? We love nature, reasonable hikes, peaceful spots, and small villages. No cities. No boat excursions (yes, that includes Piana and Scandola). We already know the area between Bastia and Calvi.

June 7 Flight arrival in Bastia and night at the hotel

June 8 Drive to Calvi (beach and/or fortress) Meal at Les Boucaniers restaurant Night in Calvi

June 9 Walk from Calvi fortress to Alga beach Charcuterie platter at A Casetta Calvi Night in Calvi

June 10 Drive from Calvi to Piana Buvette du col de la Croix and visit the orientation table Chemin des muletiers (Muleteers’ Path) Or Sentier de la source des roches bleues (Blue Rocks Spring Trail) counterclockwise Or (less scenic) Tête du chien (Dog’s Head, starting at the parking lot) Dinner at Épicerie Castellani in Piana Night in Piana

June 11 Drive from Piana to Propriano Arone beach and meal at Le Café de la plage Drive along the coast, stopping wherever we like Night in Propriano

June 12 Hike starting from Campomoro in the Jardin du Vent (Wind Garden), and visit the Genoese tower of Campomoro Meal in Campomoro: restaurant Chez Pierre Paul U spuntinu Night in Propriano

June 13 Around Propriano (avoid Capu Laurosu beach—sewage treatment plant...) Night in Propriano

June 14 Drive from Propriano to Bastia airport Meal at L’Éternisula in Zonza Aiguilles de Bavella (Hole of the Bomb) Night at the same hotel as arrival

June 15 Departure

Hi there!

After a few years abroad, I’m spending 3 months vacationing in Europe, starting in Paris. I’d like to buy a SIM card mainly for sending texts and a bit of calling—what do you recommend? Orange or Bouygues Telecom?

Thanks!

Hello, We’d like to stay in PARIS for 4 or 5 days next April or May. (Two adults.)

To avoid renting through AIRBNB, I was thinking of a small hotel near the metro so we can get around easily (see Notre Dame after its restoration, the Musée d'Orsay, the Institut du Monde Arabe if there’s an interesting exhibit, the Maison de la Radio, etc.).

The exact location doesn’t matter—what I’m looking for is a reasonably priced place. (If I say 90 to 100 € per day including breakfast and one meal, does that sound about right?)

Thanks for your insights! (By the way, why is Paris called the CITY OF LIGHTS?)

Hello, I’m starting to plan my summer vacation. I’ve decided on the Jura. I’m looking for a pleasant place to stay for three weeks. My criteria are a pretty little village, easy hiking opportunities with beautiful viewpoints (around Lake Vouglans or elsewhere), and nice swimming spots. For info, I’ll be traveling with my wife (no kids). Thanks for your help—I’m really curious and interested in any tips or advice you can share. Have a great day, Thierry

What are the possible parking options (Christmas Market)... we're staying at the Deux Rives youth hostel.

Thanks! Maryvonne,

Hi everyone,

I’m spending two days in Angers with my wife. I’ve heard great things about this city, especially how pleasant it is to live there. Could you share some activity ideas to help me explore the city (restaurants, museums, art galleries, places to walk, pubs, etc.)? Just so you know, I’ll be arriving by train.

Thanks for your suggestions! Have a great day, Thierry

Hi Does anyone know a reliable and affordable shuttle service from Roissy airport to Lille train station? I know there are TGVs, but we’d like to avoid a long wait at Roissy station. Thanks in advance for your tips! BD

Hi there,

We're really into prehistory and want to visit the cave replica. But there are two—Lascaux 2 and Lascaux 4. What are the differences, and which one should we visit? Plus, there’s also the Prehistory Museum in Les Eyzies. Is that worth checking out too? Thanks for your advice!

I’m about to land at Beauvais Airport for my first visit to the capital, and I’ll admit I’m a bit lost about the transport options to get to central Paris. Any tips on the best deals for the trip? 🚌🚇

I’d also love to discover some lesser-known spots beyond the must-sees like the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Louvre. Any suggestions for cool places to visit? 😍

And if I decide to go to Disneyland, do you know if there are any convenient and budget-friendly shared shuttles from the city center? 🎢✨

Thanks in advance for all your tips! 🙏

Hi everyone. I’m planning to spend a few days in Paris with my husband and son for the Agriculture Show in Feb 2025. We’d also like to visit some of the classic sights—Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame.

I have no idea where to look for an affordable Airbnb or aparthotel in a nice neighborhood. Any tips? Thanks in advance

Hello, for Nomad bus 77429 to Dreux from Montparnasse Station, where do I catch this bus? Thanks in advance

Hi, I need your advice. I’m heading to Drancy in the Paris region this Friday, on Auguste Blanqui Street—apparently it’s next to a police station. I’d like to get from there to the Grévin Museum, but I’m not sure how: should I take the bus, RER, tram, or metro? If a kind soul could point me in the right direction and explain what type of transport ticket I need, that’d be great. I’m new to getting around Paris—I’m from the north and not used to it. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,

Here’s the account of the start of our 5/7-day trip in Normandy (then off to the neighbors in... Brittany):

Day 01 from Valenciennes to Mont Saint-Michel: Sunday, September 6, 2020.

After a detour through the south of Lille (picking up our son), we head southwest around 10:00 AM, taking the highways via Amiens, the Pont de Normandie, and Avranches to arrive at "the Mount" around 4:00 PM after 515 km. Parking P3 (14.20 € for 24 hours) for residents and hotels, located 50 meters from the start of the free round-trip shuttle included in the parking price (not too many tourists at this "late" Sunday hour), and we arrive at the hotel around 4:30 PM. Triple room with a view of the bay at Hôtel Du Guesclin for 1 night. From 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM, we tackle the complete tour of the ramparts counterclockwise from the Porte de l’Avancée, via the Tour du Nord (near the abbey entrance), passing in front of the abbey to reach the Tour Gabriel, and back to the start: stunning, not crowded, great weather, and amazing views. Dinner in the beautiful panoramic restaurant of the hotel, with a bay view at a "window" table (such a nice touch!). Of course, the day isn’t over, and we can then wander through a deserted main street and its unique atmosphere (photos below labeled "night" even though it’s only 9:15/9:30 PM). What a privilege!



Day 02 from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Cast: Monday, September 7, 2020.

After a memorable sunrise over the bay and a sit-down breakfast, we climb the steps to the Abbey for our online-reserved time slot (9:30 AM, 11 € per person). The "masked group" is quite large, though within normal limits, and the one-way Covid-marked route (with a small brochure) prevents crowds. No need to rush, and 1 hour 15 minutes later, we’re done. Sure, it doesn’t have the charm of a guided tour, but we’re not complaining about being there! We pick up our bags at the hotel, take the shuttle back, grab the car at Parking P3, and head "south" to Dol-de-Bretagne, 26 km/25 minutes away. Around noon, the small town is very quiet, and parking in front of the Saint-Samson Cathedral** is free. Across the street, the tourist office is generous with info and gives us a great walking map/circuit: Cathedral, a stroll near the ramparts, the historic center** with its typical shopping streets and half-timbered houses, all covered at a leisurely pace in 45 minutes. Then a picnic on-site. It’s another 50 km/50 minutes to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo and the Armor Conseil agency for the apartment keys (Résidence du Casino, 72 m², 5th floor, 2 bedrooms, beach 20 meters away, insane morning and evening views, bed linen rental at Ohier 50 meters away, Carrefour City supermarket, and a bakery 200 meters away, plus a town center that hasn’t changed much in 25/30 years. Really, really nice. After settling in, a short walk is a must up to the heights of the Isle neighborhood behind the seaside residence... memories. Strangely, the well-known Crêperie Bretan’Or seems to be closed, as does the venerable Hôtel du Centre et des Plages (formerly "des Voyageurs")?? And for this reunion evening with the resort, a great crêpe/galette dinner at La Régal’ette, just 100 meters away. Day’s total: 12 km of walking for sightseeing.

A few photos at the bottom of the page...

* Read the rest on the blog: https://blogs.crespel.me/bretagne/

Hi there,

I’m planning to spend three days in the Annecy region. What would you recommend visiting? Just so you know, I love nature and enjoy walking, but I prefer hikes that aren’t longer than two hours.

Thanks for your great tips!

In June 2020, my wife and I will be visiting Brittany and Normandy. We’d especially love to explore villages that aren’t part of the usual tourist routes. We enjoy traveling off the beaten path.

We’re reaching out to you all to share which villages we should check out in these two regions. Thanks.

Hi! I’m planning a pénichette (canal boat) cruise on the Canal du Midi. We’re flying in from Quebec, so we’ll arrive in Toulouse (4 adults). We’ll have about 7 days before boarding, and we’d like to explore the stretch between Toulouse and Narbonne since we want to see the Mediterranean. Besides Carcassonne, where we’ve already planned to spend a day, what else is worth visiting? And where’s the best place to stay for good value, considering we’ll have a car?

Hi everyone, We’ve wanted to visit Alsace for a long time to see the famous and well-known "Christmas markets." Apart from the one in Strasbourg, could you give us some tips on other markets (Sélestat, Colmar, Mulhouse)? Also, any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, or things to see, etc.? I know my question is a bit "basic," but we really need some expert advice. Thanks in advance to all.

Hi there,

Please, does anyone have an idea about a private driver who could pick us up from NICE TERMINAL 2 on August 15th? Scheduled arrival is at 11 PM (assuming no flight delays, of course).

I read somewhere that there are private transport vehicles available. Any recommendations? Are they trustworthy?

If not, I found a taxi for 50 €, but I’d rather not spend that much.

For the bus, I found the 98, but it’s from Terminal 1 and the last departure is at 11:50 PM.

I’ll admit, I’m not great at internet searches, so if anyone can help me find a lead, I’d really appreciate it.

Drop-off address: Rue Alexis Mossa in Gambetta.

Thanks in advance.

hi everyone, just back from a little trip to the French Ardennes, and well, it wasn’t great...😕 people are cold, it’s depressing, the activities are just walks or the pool (when it’s even open...). it feels like there’s a lot of poverty and tourism seems like an afterthought. if anyone’s been there...

I want to rent an economy-class car in France for 12 days. I checked prices on several sites mentioned in this forum, and they’re pretty comparable—around 350 € or $470 CAD.

Strangely, Auto Europe is showing prices between $300 and $330 CAD for an economy-class vehicle. That seems too good to be true. What do you think?

Hi there,

We need some advice for getting around Paris with our little family. We’re arriving on a Friday morning in June for 3 days.

We plan to use public transport until we pick up our rental car on Monday morning. Same goes for getting from Roissy to our hotel near the Luxembourg Garden when we arrive.

So my question is: is there a really more economical option for short-term visitors like us?

I checked the RATP website but got a bit lost... I saw things like OPEN Tour. Does anyone know if it’s any good?

Thanks in advance!