First tip is to travel as light as possible. We went by train (cheap 2nd class), and throughout three weeks, we toted just carry-on wheeled suitcases and small backpacks. At the time, we were age 70 and 60, but in good shape and enjoyed every bit of Paris and beyond. We had no tourist schedule to worry about, so we hung around wherever we liked for as long as we liked. The food and mood were fantastic everywhere.

Also, as we did, we suggest you bone up on your high school French enough to carry a decent conversation. Such as: where the hell is my hotel, and where’s the nearest john? The French people will be much more friendly, because it is a national anger point if tourists ask stupid questions in English, Japanese, German, Spanish or whatever. They’re much more willing to answer stupid questions offered in their native language, even the fractured French kind.

Here’s a very quick list of our favorite visiting spots in France:
1. Paris, of course. The historic sights, the people, the cafes, the little hotel by the University of the Sorbonne we found. Stroll along the Left Bank in the evening to relive your romantic past and present.
2. Aix au Provence. Lovely town, beautiful gardens, full of wannabe Van Goghs and just plain friendly French citizens.
3. Nice. It is a ... well ... nice resort town. If you hang around the beach long enough, you may see some movie stars, Arab sheiks and nude French bathers.
4. Normandy has a beautiful coastline, wonderful restaurants and quaint inns and villages. Additionally, Americans, Anzacs, Brits and Canadians should visit to pay homage to those who fought their way ashore there on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and never made it home.
5. Monte Carlo. All right, it ain't exactly in France, just a little coastal Las Vegas wannabe, surrounded by France. A fun gambling joint where you can see and mix with 007s, oil barons, illegal arms dealers, European royalty, high-class hookers and such.