Why travel to France? — French Views

Looking back on our first experience in Paris, I realised just how much we have learnt since then. My original intention for a blog was to inform others so that they may not make the same mistakes as we have or that they would gain from our insights. So far, it’s been fun to share our travel memories, some local stories and the experiences of my guest writers. Now that there is the possibility of international travel opening up again, I really wanted to go back to my original purpose and start to offer some thoughts about planning and booking your French travel experiences. This post is the first of a series devoted to this theme.

In case you missed my first blog post about French travel:

https://www.frenchviews.com.au/my-journal/first-impressions-of-france-27-december-2004

Let’s start with some insights that we have gained during our travels:

Give each experience it’s due consideration and, importantly, time.

So many choices to make at the patisserie

Savour the moment, especially when it comes to dining.

Chris enjoyed the opportunity to slip into a local boulangerie for his choice of a Tarte aux Fraises (strawberry tart) and I think the photo speaks for itself about just how good it tasted. — Chris enjoyed the opportunity to slip into a local boulangerie for his choice of a *Tarte aux Fraises* (strawberry tart) and I think the photo speaks for itself about just how good it tasted.

Travel at your own pace so that you don’t have to race off for fear of being left behind by the tour bus.

Self-driving allows you to explore exciting places. Our rental vehicle on top of Mont Ventoux, Provence.

Choose accommodation that has more ambience and space.

The importance of learning the basics of the language to feel part of the communication.

Are you someone who likes to have their travel planned for them? This might change your mind. If you are curious and want to optimise your experience then keep reading.

Planning your own itinerary allows you to explore and pursue your passions. Here we are taking a break during a bike ride on Col de Marie-Blanque, Pyrénées

When Chris and I sit down to start planning our French travels, we are most often motivated by the route of Tour de France. This event is usually held in July and is three weeks long. We have never followed an entire tour but we do like to see some of the key stages, usually on a mountain.

Planning a trip has to start somewhere. What triggers your urge to travel? There is likely to be some reason to pick a particular destination. It could be a desire to see a particular art gallery or a sporting event that interests you. Perhaps you want to attend a cooking school in Lyon or a painting retreat in Provence. Ski village? Farm stay? Beach resort? Following a wine or cheese route? French immersion course? Do you want to hike or cycle in the countryside? Shopping and museums in Paris?

Mapping out a trip in France we use lots of different resources — When mapping out a trip in France, we use lots of different resources.

Your desired experiences obviously influence the destinations and type of holiday you would choose. It may also help you decide whether to plan your own holiday or take a package tour: cruise, rail journey or self-drive. You have to do your research, shop around and make good decisions. Let the fun begin!

Choosing your own accommodation adds to the satisfaction but does provide some challenges.

I highly recommend doing plenty of research before you go to maximise your experience.

What are the ‘must sees’ and ‘must experience’? I suggest keeping a balance of 25% of your time free so that you can fit in ‘down time’. That’s the time when you sit and absorb the situation, whether that be sitting on top of mountain, taking in the view, or in a cafe in Paris, people watching. Don’t let your travel experience become just a ‘box ticking’ exercise. You don’t necessarily need to go to a particular restaurant or market just because the guide book or a friend suggested it. The attraction of travel is to loose yourself and discover your own exciting places.

C’est moi at the markets in Malaucène, Provence

To make a start, it is important to begin by asking yourself some key questions to help you prioritise. I will pose some questions and ideas and elaborate upon them over the next few blog posts with some photos to inspire and enthuse you.

First things to consider

How long should I go for?

What time of the year should I go?

Can I get leave from my job?

Travel insurance … do I need it?

Research and planning

Where do I want to go and what do I want to see?

Organising your itinerary

Leaving space in your itinerary for ‘down time’

What planning resources are useful?

Booking flights, accommodation, transportation and entertainment

How much do flights cost?