The first part of the suggested itinerary, from southern Spain to the border, can be found here. What follows are suggestions for places to visit once the border has been crossed and Paris is on the horizon.
From the Border with Spain via Bordeaux to Poitiers, Limoges and La Rochelle
An hour and a half (congestion permitting) after crossing the border from Spain, travellers will find themselves firmly in France, the country of péages, (tolls) aires (rest stops) and chateaux.
The first stop should be Bordeaux, a world heritage site, with over 350 listed buildings and monuments. The city is also known for its wine, particularly the production of reds, also called clarets, and wine tastings here often involve trying cheeses as well, as the tastes are complementary.
Further north still is Limoges, known for its fine china. It has a number of museums dedicated to this trade, as well as some fine, mainly Gothic, architecture. The harbour of La Rochelle is almost due east from here, a train ride away through picturesque countryside. A deeply historic area, it has seen a thousand years of trade, siege, religion and royal protection come and go through the centuries and is now regularly besieged only by cruise ship patrons and tourists.
Relaxing in Poitiers, Investigating Chateaux, Castles and Cathedrals in Angers and Blois
Poitiers, famous for having the purest spoken French accent in the country, is a place to go and relax, as the linked article recommends. Follow the suggested itinerary for a short break in this region and take in the sights, sounds and tastes of this provincial capital and its surroundings, from architecture to food, wine and embroidery.
Angers, a magnet for fans of monumental French architecture, is also known for its tapestries and floral displays. Once the capital of Anjou, the city is now better known for its association with Cointreau.
More monumental architecture is on offer in the shape of the Chateau de Blois on the banks of the Loire. As the Chateau and the cathedral are built on neighbouring hills, a good pair of shoes is recommended to navigate the vast amount of steps such an arrangement necessitates.
Futuroscope
The final stop before Paris (about which many others have already written thousands of words) should be the giant playground near Poitiers that is Futuroscope. A theme park by any other name, visitors can also use the attraction as a base for day trips around the area. In this way it is similar to the Disney resorts, but also bears a resemblance to Universal Studios in California with its mix of shows, interactive events and rides.
Further cultural observations and other information can be found here.
Paula Thomas - Paula is, among other things, an editor & proofreader. She also enjoys technology - retro or modern - travel, music, motorsport and ...
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