We landed arriving in Paris, picking up our car and driving to the Champagne area just under an hour.

From there, we drove to Lyon, the third largest city in France, to spend a few days to explore the historic centre of the town. Great sights and great food of course.

Then we drove to the South of France to spend almost four weeks in the the Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions.

We left our car in Marseille and traveled by TGV train to Paris for the last week of our trip.

Avenay-Val-d'Or

Our first house was in Avenay-Val-d'Or - a small town in the Marme Department of the Grand Est Region. This is the champagne area of France. We have wanted to spend time in this are of area for a number of years. The town of Avenay-Val-d'Or lies in a valley surrounded by vineyards, punctuated by woods and crossed by the Livre River.

» More on our Stay in Grand Est Region

Lyon

It has been decades since we have been in Lyon, and we looked forward to our stay here. It broke the drive from the north to south and it is an intersting beautiful city. We have already made a decisiion to return again. During the Renaissance Lyon became renowned for its silk industry. Today, Lyon is celebrated for its gastronomy and its historical landmarks. The old historic centre, Fourvière Hill, and other districts within Lyon are designaated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

» More on Lyon

Saint Bauzély, Occitanie

When I looked on the map, and saw that we were only 300 meters from the town of Saint Bauzély I though this would be great. Walk into town for a morning coffee. Mingle with people in the main square. But what I found is that while Saint Bauzély used to have a big population, now it is a very quite administrative centre, it is a Canon for about nine other towns in the Department. There were no cafes, no stores, no commercial activity at all., For all of that, I would have to take a short drive to another town.

» More on our Stay in the Occitanie Region

Cheval-Blanc

 

Our next house was in the town of Cheval-Blanc which also did not have a compelling town centre. Here there were stores and the centre of the town had a bar etc., but again it was more of an administrative centre for the Department.

» More on our Stay in the Provence Region

Paris

We concluded our time in France in Paris and it was just what we expected!

» More on our stay in Paris