Page 130 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

wines. The medieval town then turn off onto the N89/D89 Usines Lumières, on 19
of Sarlat-la-Canéda makes to Lyon. This route should cover March 1895.
the perfect base, with a between 420km and 430km.
beautiful medieval centre 54 p131
and lots of lively markets. The Drive » Take the A42
It’s also ideally placed 9 Lyon towards Lake Geneva, then the
for exploring the Vézère Fired up by French food? A40 towards St-Gervais-les-
Valley, about 20km to Then you’ll love Lyon, Bains. The motorway becomes
the northwest, home with its bouchons (small the N205 as it nears Chamonix.
It’s a drive of at least 225km.
to France’s finest cave bistros), bustling markets
paintings. Most famous and fascinating food
of all are the ones at the culture. Start in Vieux TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Grotte de Lascaux (%05 Lyon and the picturesque a Chamonix
53 51 95 03; www.semitour. quarter of Presqu’île, Snuggling among snow-
com; Montignac; adult/child then catch the funicular clad mountains – includ-
€9.90/6.40, combined ticket to the top of Fourvière to ing Europe’s highest
with Le Thot €13.50/9.40; explore the city’s Roman summit, Mont Blanc –
hguided tours 9am-7pm Jul ruins and enjoy cross- adrenaline-fuelled
& Aug, 9.30am-6pm Apr-Jun, town views. Chamonix is an ideal
Sep & Oct, 10am-12.30pm & Film buffs will also
FRANCE 8 ESSENTIAL FRANCE
2-5pm Nov-Mar, closed Jan), want to make time for the springboard for the
French Alps. In winter,
although to prevent dam- Musée Lumière (%04 78 it’s a mecca for skiers
age to the paintings, you 78 18 95; www.institut-lumiere. and snowboarders, and
now visit a replica of the org; 25 rue du Premier Film, in summer, once the
cave’s main sections in a 8e; adult/child €6.50/5.50;
nearby grotto. h10am-6.30pm Tue-Sun; snows thaw, the high-level
mMonplaisir-Lumière), where trails become a trekkers’
The Drive » The drive east the Lumière Brothers paradise.
to Lyon is a long one, covering There are two really
well over 400km and travelling (Auguste and Louis) essential Chamonix expe-
across the spine of the Massif shot the first reels of riences. First, catch the
Central. A good route is to follow the world’s first motion dizzying cable car to the
the A89 all the way to exit 6, picture, La Sortie des
top of the Aiguille du Midi
to snap a shot of Mont
Blanc.
FUTUROSCOPE Then take the combi-
nation mountain train
Halfway between Chambord and Bordeaux on the and cable car from the
A10, 10km north of Poitiers, Futuroscope (%05 49 49 Gare du Montenvers
11 12; www.futuroscope.com; av René Monory, Chasseneuil-du- (%04 50 53 22 75; www.
Poitou; adult/child €43/35; h10am-11.15pm Jul, 9am-11.15pm compagniedumontblanc.fr;
Aug, shorter hours rest of year, closed Jan–mid-Feb) is one of 35 place de la Mer de Glace;
France’s top theme parks. It’s a futuristic experience adult/child return €31/26.40;
that takes you whizzing through space, diving into h10am-4.30pm) to the
the ocean depths, racing around city streets and on Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice),
a close encounter with creatures of the future. Note France’s largest glacier.
that many rides have a minimum height of 120cm. Wrap up warmly if you
You’ll need at least five hours to check out the want to visit the glacier’s
major attractions, or two days to see everything. The sculptures and ice caves.
park is in the suburb of Jaunay-Clan; take exit 28 off
the A10. The Drive » The drive to the
Riviera is full of scenic thrills.

128