Feedback on our first family trip to France itinerary (page 2 of 2)

I was just sharing my opinion with people who’ve never experienced winter in mainland France—and on top of that, in the mountains. In January, you hardly see the sun there. February, though still winter, is often much better, and the days are already longer...

Actually, if they’re lucky enough to get a bit of sunshine, it can be an interesting experience. But under a gray sky when you can’t see the peaks hidden in the clouds and night falls really early...

Yeah, I don’t really see the problem with going to the mountains???

It’s the perfect season—way better than anywhere else in France where winter often drapes cities and countryside in its gray, misty, rainy cloak. Isn’t snow better?

It’s a bit like saying you shouldn’t go to Canada or Lapland in January. 😛

Plus, coming from La Réunion, that endless white and possibly sub-zero temperatures will be such a change of scenery!

For clothes, thermal underwear, thermal leggings, a scarf, a beanie, and gloves (the cheapest at D will work just fine). The fleece and winter jacket will come in handy for other parts of your trip (Paris, Lyon, and even the South for the fleece).

The real issue is the price...

A few photos taken in the mountains in January:

The advantage of the mountains in winter in Europe is that you can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing—it's great exercise!

Snowshoes are often unnecessary since the trails are so well groomed.😄

Cross-country skiing does require a bit of a sense of balance... A lot more than downhill skiing. At least, that’s been my personal experience.

Hi, Just a 2-hour train ride from Lyon, you’ve got Nîmes—a great chance to explore Roman history with really nice weather.

Hello again everyone! I’ve read all your advice and taken notes on everything. I’ve updated my itinerary—let me know what you think: January 12–14: 2 nights in PARIS January 14–18: 4 nights in Bordeaux (hotel: MEININGER MOTEL BORDEAUX) January 18–22: 4 nights in Lyon (hotel: MEININGER MOTEL LYON) January 22–26: 4 nights in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (HOTEL LA CHAUMIÈRE) January 26–30: 4 nights in Paris If you’ve got any feedback on the hotels I’ve picked, I still need to find one in PARIS. If you’ve got any great recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

Bordeaux in January—I don’t know it, but why not? ⛅ Just watch the weather in January: grey skies and humidity are on the agenda. Be especially careful with transport: the Bordeaux/Lyon cross-country train route will inevitably take you back through Paris, so it’s a very long trip.

I’d have gone for the South (Marseille, Nîmes, Nice) instead—much easier for transfers.

Use Rome2rio (app or website) to get a sense of travel times.

For accommodation for four, take a look at the Adaggio chain—super practical apart-hotels with a kitchenette included.

One last thing: the cottage in Saint-Gervais is down in the valley, where it’s grey and overcast. Check if you can find something in Chamonix (or Les Houches) within your budget—it’s more in the heart of the mountains. Or look at Saint-Gervais’s ski resort instead.

Hello everyone, I’ve read all your feedback and taken notes. I’ve updated my itinerary—what do you think? January 12–14: 2 nights in PARIS January 14–18: 4 nights in Bordeaux (hotel: MEININGER MOTEL BORDEAUX) January 18–22: 4 nights in Lyon (hotel: MEININGER MOTEL LYON) January 22–26: 4 nights in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (HOTEL LA CHAUMIÈRE) January 26–30: 4 nights in Paris If you have any feedback on the hotels I’ve found, I still need to book one in PARIS. If you’ve got any great tips, I’m all ears!

Hi there,

France is a big country, so it’s best to focus on specific regions. And January really isn’t the best time—unless you’re a mountain and winter sports enthusiast. It’s cold (or at best, chilly) everywhere, the days are short... Plus, after the December excitement—lights, Christmas markets, celebrations—everything winds down in January. It’s kind of a dull, quiet period...

Anyway, is the timing of your trip set in stone?

Hi there, I wouldn’t go to Lyon for such a long stay in January. It’s cold, gray, damp, and often foggy. I’d also skip Bordeaux and stick to eastern France—you’ll lose too much time traveling otherwise. Personally, I’d do Paris, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Lyon (just one day to visit), Chamonix, and then back to Paris. That way, you’ll get a mix of cities, sunshine, and snow.