The thing about the restaurant was a joke, SR. So escargot & foie gras? The snails are nice but it depends on your palate i.e. acquired food tastes. Foie gras is actually easier for foreigners, Of course, if no restrictions, saucisson and all types of charcuterie are a must and you really want to mix and match good wine and fromages ( cheese ). Forgetting to sample that combo would be sinful too. In any case, avoid fast food, find smaller restaurants used by the locals and go for plat du jour to save money and find variety. Better yet, get invited to a home cooked meal!
On the car thing : Provence is still almost a day's drive away mate and the lavender fields will be at the beginning of their bloom, maybe advanced as we had a great spring this year ( I was there in April ). So check it later in your trip to be sure. If you have a car and less time, the Chateaux de la Loire are a string of incredible historic castles South South_west of Paris and more than worth the trip. I'd recommend Chambord, Chenonceau & Blois.
_If you go all the way down to Saumur, do go by the Military school where I was formed!?!
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As for vignobles, at this time of the year … not much to see! The most renowned are around Bordeaux but going to Provence then across to the Atlantic and back up to Paris by the Loire will require at least a week if you want to sample anything and occasionally get out of the car. Nearer Paris, it would be Champagne on the way to WWI grounds or Bourgogne which has a few nice spots, Chablis for the taste buds and Hospice de Beaune for the eyes :
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It really depends on time and so on. That's why I suggested that you write through my commercial e-mail so you can give me details to work with in making educated guesses while not divulging your personal stuff here.
Just for example, it was no pun up there in joking with Aether that the Louvre if you are contemplative and inquisitive in nature requires a week all by itself. To just walk through all the rooms pointing stuff from afar and not stopping or almost takes more than a big afternoon. And there are 25-30 other museums worth the visit ...
and many more sights and activities in Paris alone?
That's where having advice tailored to your preference is invaluable. (
Contact page )
Read you later, Tay
) to a more understandable language like English. You're going to need me!
fluently. She also understands Spanish 
