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suggestions traveling to west coast of france?

post #1 of 6
8/14/08 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
thinking about flying into paris and then renting a car and driving to the la baule area.

anyone have any experience or a better way of doing it? we can probably take a train, but it might be worth to have a car around for a few days and drive up and down the coast.

not really even thinking about booking a hotel in advance, it'll mostly just be a place to stay and a quick search revealed that hotels could be booked for around 110$ a night, which is very decent.

anyways, anyone ever been, what's the weather/scenery like at the end of august, would it still be warm enough to swim?

thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 6
8/14/08 at 11:06am
Rent a car, it will be a hell of a lot more fun than the train and alot easier.

There are many small windy roads leading into little towns that you can stop at for an hour or two to explore.

By train you will have to plan routes, carry your luggage, etc... There are also many small towns that do not have train stations, and those are some of the best to stop and have a leisurely lunch or stay in a nice guesthouse.

I can't tell you about hotels, but keep in mind that in the month of August tons of European families flock to France as one of the vacation destinations. If you are adventurous and dont mind the risk of having to sleep in your car for a night or two then not booking could find you in some charming guesthouses. Myself, I like knowing that I have a room booked somewhere during peak times.

Have fun

K
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post #3 of 6
8/14/08 at 2:05pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the reply... that was in part my question, is it in season there this time of the year? i guess it is.

if we go, we're for sure renting a car, as it'll only be 130usd total for 5 days with my work discount.

i was thinking about the same thing, just driving up and down and finding a place to stay on a whim like that, but now i worry that most places might be booked, it'd really suck to sleep in a car for 5 nights

is it proper to bargain at any of these little guest houses on their rates once you get there? or you just pay what they ask?
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post #4 of 6
8/14/08 at 2:56pm
sleeping in the car wont happen in that area.. Been there a couple of times either coming through or staying near the coast for a golfing weekend, plenty of hotels around. Just try to obtain a guide for the region or use internet to make up a list beforehand....Have fun!
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post #5 of 6
8/15/08 at 9:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iridium7777 View Post
thanks for the reply... that was in part my question, is it in season there this time of the year? i guess it is.

if we go, we're for sure renting a car, as it'll only be 130usd total for 5 days with my work discount.

i was thinking about the same thing, just driving up and down and finding a place to stay on a whim like that, but now i worry that most places might be booked, it'd really suck to sleep in a car for 5 nights

is it proper to bargain at any of these little guest houses on their rates once you get there? or you just pay what they ask?

As nootje said, its doubtful that you will end up sleeping in the car. Even if you can't find a quaint guesthouse there are corporate motel chains off the highways. I just had to throw in a disclaimer in case...

Carrying a laptop and looking for wifi spots (cafes, etc) is a great way to look up hotels / restaurants on the fly.

I've never bargained with them, but I've never had a place which blatantly highballed me. I doubt that its accepted practice unless it seems like they are taking you for a ride. Do ask to see the room before you agree to anything.

K
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post #6 of 6
8/15/08 at 11:30am
I spent a half year in La Rochelle. It was beautiful. It's also the third most visited city in France (actually kind of surprising). I would say it's worth a look-see. And it's only an hour or so away from Bordeaux (mmm... wine).
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