wanderlust231

We have tickets booked to Paris from 3/15-3/30 and are trying to figure out our itinerary. We know we want to spend a significant chunk of time in Paris, but we can't decide what else to include on the trip: head north to Amsterdam/Bruges or south to Provence/Nice. It would be my first time visiting all of those locations (my husband has seen Paris/Amsterdam but not Provence/Bruges). We will be traveling with a 21-month-old by that point, so will need a good mix of casual cafe/walking time, playgrounds/hiking, and museums/sights.

Option A: Head South
Friday 3/15 - Wednesday 3/20: Aix en Provence/Avignon
Thursday 3/21 - Sunday 3/24: Nice/Antibes/Cannes/Monaco
Monday 3/25 - Friday 3/29: Paris & surrounding areas

Option B: Head North
Friday 3/15 - Wednesday 3/20: Paris & surrounding areas
Thursday 3/21 - Friday 3/22: Bruges
Saturday 3/23 - Wednesday 3/27: Amsterdam
Thursday 3/28- Friday 3/29: Paris

I'm also looking for insight on transportation (driving v. training - which is best with a toddler??), weather (did you go to either spot in late March? How was it?), family-friendliness, and any other general feedback (e.g., totally not worth going to Provence when the lavender isn't in bloom).

Thank you!

bilboburgler

March is not a great time in the north of France (it may be nice but with still a hint of winter about it, south is probably nicer but, of course, with Climate Change, all bets on the weather are off.

In terms of getting south, I'd catch a train. Read seat61.com about the basic mechanism and you can book on sncf.fr any tickets. I'd recommend travel first class if you can afford it, the extra space allows you to spread out more.

Monaco is very dissappointing, I'd not waste any time visiting and of the rest Avignon, Marseille and Nice are probably the best.

Alternatively if you decide to stay north at least the public transport is great for getting about and offering plan A and plan B for each day.

Do people like babies (for sure)

macdogmom

First, I have nothing but mad respect for someone that takes an almost two year old on a long plane flight and then moves around 3 or 4 times in a two week time span. If it were me, I would spend a week in Paris in an Airbnb or vrbo hopefully near parks, playgrounds and close to restaurants. People eat late there so find places that are casual and maybe open early. Then I would go south to maybe one location like Arles, rent another place with a kitchen and explore as much as you can with a little one. Also Paris and Amsterdam might not be a bad combo and again bigger cities will have lots of parks and eating options.

wanderlust231

Thank you so much! I hadn't considered traveling in first class, but with a toddler, definitely worth looking into!

lavandula

Amsterdam, Bruges and Paris will be quite cold in March! There can even be late snow right up to April so bring your warm clothes if that's what you go for.

Agree that first class in the trains is very nice and perhaps easier with lots of luggage, as you will have with a family. If you take Eurostar (the new name for Thalys) they feed you a good meal on the train and it's very comfortable. A car presents problems in cities like Amsterdam and Bruges because you have to sort out parking, and TBH you won't be using it to get around the city at all. In Amsterdam public transport is quite good. If you do opt for car (and, confession, we did when our daughter was small, but not to those destinations), pick your neighbourhoods carefully so you don't have to drive right into the centre. In Bruges there is a public car park near the station where you can leave your car for a few days. There is an advantage to having a car with a small child in that you have flexibility, warmth, somewhere to sleep and eat, and spread out, but of course the parking and low emissions zones are something to watch out for in that part of the world. Car is better for getting between cities, but not in cities.

I would pick just two bases and stay in an apartment or aparthotel there. You will find your neighbourhood with park and little shops, and you will have a kitchen to heat up snacks or self-cater and possibly even a washing machine, which I consider almost essential with a small child. The alternative is packing more clothing, which is not really a good answer. Don't bring a high chair, bed or potty, all these things can be arranged by apartment owners or hotels.

Is the holiday more to see undiscovered territory or just a break with a toddler? You want to avoid a lot of moving around and one-nighters with small children. If it's about a first holiday with a toddler then less is more (Paris and surrounds will have enough to do for 2 weeks and there's no moving around), but if it's seriously about new places, why not take the train from Paris directly to Bruges (train goes via Brussels) and make Bruges your base and see some of the other Belgian cities from there when you tire of Bruges. There is enough there to sustain your holiday for the whole two weeks. Remember you will be travelling more slowly and attempting less. I remember travelling with our daughter around the same age and there were times when she was just over it and we went back to the hotel early so she could play with the unplugged telephone. Be prepared for days when it just doesn't work that well and have a plan B to slow down. And don't feel short-changed if you have to go back to the accommodation early, this is just part of what it is to travel with a small child. You will return to your destinations some day!

If you pick Provence, this is a better option for a car - the countryside won't be as beautiful as in summer but it will still be interesting to happen on small towns with a car.

Lavandula

jan47ete

S, 70, F, loves to travel and with 1 carryon. For part of my travel in April 2023, went to Amsterdam and Paris. Heavy sweater weather although I know you are going in March. I was in London with the same sweater and had a LS t-shirt and a button down shirt. I will be in Provence March 1-30, staying in Arles, Aix and Avignon and traveling by train/bus out from those cities. I leave for Paris, again, on Monday for a month. I love Bruges a lot.

In thinking about you with a little one, Paris has lots of parks, I really believe an ease of getting around and of course lots to see. Bruges is delightful, small, walkable, relaxing, lots of green space. Amsterdam with LOTS of bridges, canals, etc may be a tad more difficult to navigate with a toddler.

I love Aix, Arles and Avignon (been there before) and those should be delightful. Nice has a wonderful market and malecon but if it were just you and your husband would say it would be nice but its more a rich man's playground than anything historic. Nice, Monaco, etc are memorable more for the aura of wealth they exude than anything else.

I always use booking.com, rent apts and a washing machine is a must. Most apts have stoves but make sure there is a microwave and elevator.

StuDudley

We have spent about 48 weeks vacationing in Provence & the Cote d'Azur. We were there 4 weeks this June. I put together an itinerary for this regions that describes our favorite places.

See attached

Stu Dudley

shelemm

Go to Provence and rent a gite. Travel by car. Have complete freedom. But I wouldn't do the Cote d'Azur. Paris and the Vaucluse should be enough for two weeks, especially if you have to get back to Paris.

Priorities for me would be:

Roussillon
Fontaine de Vaucluse
Les Baux de Provence
Aix

https://www.gites-de-france.com/en

Get a good map and explore. Every little nook and cranny can be so wonderful.

I find Avignon kinda boring.