hey there, im a young kiwi male who is going to be backpacking in france for a few weeks at the begining of May this year. I am able to speak french at an intermediate level and i was wondering what cities are fun and would be good to go to at this particular time of year?
3what to do in May
February 8, 2008
By francecom
3 Comments On what to do in May
SalB
What are your interests? If you are into nature, Provence is fabulous. There is wonderful walking in the Camargue with a huge nature reserve. The Alps are great, perhaps the Mercantour National Park although it may be a bit chilly still in May.
If you like the sea, Languedoc-Roussillon around Collioure is spectacular and has beaches. The Pyrenees are also fabulous. If you like gentler terrain, try Burgundy, Normandy or Brittany (which also has the Atlantic coast).
If you like art and history, Avignon in the south or Paris in the north are amazing. Grenoble has a great art museum and the Alps. Dijon has an excellent art museum and wine tours.
If you want it all, go to Paris where there is nature (Luxembourg, Tuileries, Buttes des Chaumont and other gardens and parks); the Louvre , Rodin and d'Orsay museums (plus at least 60 more museums); nightlife, excellent food, walks along the Seine, world-famous churches, concerts.
You name it; it's in Paris. There is also a campground in Paris along with quite a few youth hostels.
So . . . what are your interests?
arunjeram
hah, yea im sure they are all good. im mainly looking for cities where there are lots of young people. i was also wondering if there are any special events on this time of the year that are worth checking out? Just a question about train travel, i intend to be travelling between several cities throughout your country for about 14 days, spending maybe two or three days at each city before moving on to the next one and i was wondering if there are any special train passes i can get that will allow me to do this by paying a flat rate? or would i need to pay individually everytime i intend to travel? cheers, arun
SalB
Head for university towns and cities. May is a great time for anyplace in France. Weather is usually nice and the tourist hordes haven't yet arrived.
Here are some suggestions:
Tours, a university city in the Loire Valley. It's a great base for exploring the Loire and wine tasting if you are interested.
Toulouse, a university city in southwestern (nearly center of) France. Great place for exploring the Pyrenees, following the Cathar Trail or visiting Carcassonne, Foix and Mirepoix.
Montpelier, a university city in southern France. A good base for exploring the Mediterranean coast and Provence.
Strasbourg, a university city in northeast France. A good base for exploring the Alsatian wine country and wine villages, the Jura Mountains and exploring France on the German border so with a German twist. Many Alsatians speak both French and German and many also speak English.
Finally, Grenoble, a university city in the French Alps. A good base for exploring the French Alps and the wonderful French national parks in the area. We absolutely love the Mercantour Natl. Park. Lots of wildlife, wildflowers and spectacular scenery.
Then there is always Paris, the ultimate university city. Stay in the Latin Quarter. We stay right across the stree from the Sorbonne University and can see into the classrooms from our hotel room. You'll meet lots of students on the nearby streets and the Place de la Sorbonne around the corner. Hotel de la Sorbonne at https://visitfrance.travel/hotels/hotel.cfm?hotel_id=495
Have fun! All the cities have good museums and churches, lots of excellent restaurants and clubs and nice youth hostels. Public transportation is fine and all are on train lines.