I'm looking into backpacking across France, spending 3 weeks there, in April, May or June 2010. I just want an idea of what places to go, what to check out, if there are special events/festivals going on etc. The cities I want to go to for sure are Paris, Nice and Bordeaux, but I want to add a couple others to that list.
I'd like to emphasize that I'm going to practice my French so I don't necessarily want to stay where there are English speakers all the time.
I want to stay in hostels.
Can anyone give me tips in terms of itinerary, what order to visit the cities in etc?