v_ganeshraju

Hi can anyone suggest me all the attractions in France other than Paris, which can be covered in 5 day trip and has good accessibility.
Thanks.

walkinaround

do you mean day trips to take during a five day trip to paris or a five day trip to somewhere other than paris? good accessability from/to where?

ira

Hi VG,

If you will be in Paris for only 5 days, I suggest that you do not go anywhere else.

There will be more than enough for you to do.

Gretchen

Exactly what Ira said.

rex

I've looked at your several other posts to understand this short stay in France (Paris) in better context, and that info has a huge bearing on the (already correct) answer(s) - - that you've received (and really should listen to!)

Let's review three things that you (<i><u>and I</u></i have never done:

1. Fly from Asia to Europe, with a planned stopover in Paris for five days, en route to the US, <i><u>with your one year-old child</u></i>...

and...

2. Spend five days in Europe, <i><u>with your one-year-old child</u></i>, traveling by stroller.

3. Dealt with what you describe as &quot;lots of luggage&quot; - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34701918 - - which you want to transport onward to the US, but will not necessarily need while in Europe.

You should not be considering a side trip to Belgium, or Amsterdam, nor anywhere outside Paris, in my opinion.

Most first-time travelers to Paris will fill five (or four, or ten) very long days - - traveling <i><u>unfettered</u></i> - - just seeing the <b>major, world-class</b> attractions of Paris. You should aim your sights on seeing one-half of what they might attempt.

This is a strenuous trip, and can/should be enjoyable for you and your family. Take it easy. You'll have so much to enjoy.

Best wishes,

Rex

lmhornet

The obvious choice is an overnighter to the Loire Valley. An hour train ride to Tours.

Don't believe that nonsense that you need 5 days for Paris. Those are the professional travellers speaking, the ones that think that you can't miss seeing the &quot;The Museum Of Unimportant Artists.&quot; or all the historic car washes. These are the people who must not work for a living, since they seem to have an indefinite amount of time and money to vists anywhere.

Here's the reality: You can easily see the major stuff in Paris in 3 days. More time would be better, sure - the asymptote never his the basline. But most tourist sites have a point of diminishing returns. In Paris, that point is 3 days. It would be far better to go some place entirely new for the other two days. As I said, Loire is te obvious choice, but an ambitious traveller could go to Avignon.

RonZ

Thanks for those brilliant observations, but the length of the trip is unclear--5 days plus Paris or total? If the latter, day trips are an alternative to changing hotels if one only has a couple of days. Plus the fact Paris has more to offer to the &quot;professional traveler&quot; than mere &quot;tourist sites.&quot;

rex

Ganesh has scattered info all over eight or nine different posts. This is a 5 day stopover, with lots of luggage, en route from India to the US with his wife and one year-old son in a stroller. 5 days total. Arriving somewhat &quot;jet lagged&quot;. This family needs to change hotels in that 5 day span like they need cholera.

janisj

v_ganeshraju: You have posted 9 different threads with snippets of your various questions.

So others will know - the OP is going to be in Paris for 5 days - TOTAL. It is enroute from Asia to the States - over New Years. Well that isn't totally clear since on different threads he says &quot;5 days&quot;, &quot;what to do for Christmas AND New years&quot; (you can't do both in 5 days) , and &quot;last week in Dec&quot; - so my guess is end of Dec/into Jan. And all w/ a 1 year old in tow.

The OP was set on going to Brussels and/or Amsterdam, but now wants to go somewhere else in France.

v_ganeshraju - you will NOT have 5 days in Paris free for sightseeing. The first day will be tied up a bit by getting to your hotel and trying to get over jet lag. And your last day is basically a travel day - check out, get to airport, advance check in. So you will really only have about 3.5 days free (4 at the very most) - you cannot see all of Paris in that time, and definitely do not have time to go to Amsterdam, Brussels, the Loire, or any other area of France.

ira

Hi VG,

Do not pay attention to imhornet. He/she enjoys saying rude things and trying to confuse people.

You might find this thread helpful.

Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236

usfrph

Having just come back from France with our 16 month old I have to agree with the posters that recommend you staying in Paris for the whole 5 days.

Don't plan on seeing *everything* and be flexible with your itinerary.

Christina

I don't think imhornet is exactly being rude (a few sarcastic comments that are not true, of course), but it's a different opinion. There are people who think 3 days is enough to see the highlights of major cities when they travel, and that it would be enough. Maybe the OP is one of them since he is asking about other places. However, I would not suggest any major excursions outside Paris during that 5 days for several reasons--first, this is a stop on a longer trip, and with a small child, so I don't think most people would want to be that ambitious. Second, this is at the end of December, and daylight hours are going to be very limited, and it could be cold (and damp). That isn't the most pleasant situation for doing major trips elsewhere. Viewing the countryside or rural trips would not appeal to me at all at that time of year, but might to some. Also, because it will be the holidays, major things may be closed anyway (the Loire chateaux have limited hours in winter, for example).

I'd stay in Paris, also, for those reasons.

Travelnut

<i>&quot;...But most tourist sites have a point of diminishing returns. In Paris, that point is 3 days...&quot;</i>

Oh, my gosh, why, <i>why</i> did we spend 12 days in Paris in 1997? and then return over and over and over again? why?!?

ira

Hi Trav,

We have done the same thing.

Did you like &quot;The Museum Of Unimportant Artists&quot; and the historic car washes?

JoyceL

I suggest you consult any guidebook on Paris and make a list of all the places you want to see there. You will quickly realize that 5 days is not enough time. Seeing all the main sights of Paris requires at least 2 weeks. (And by &quot;main sights&quot; I am not referring to the 'museum of unknown artists'.)

You may be able to fit in a day trip to one of the famous towns near Paris, e.g. Versailles or Chartes. But even this may be difficult, given your time limitations.

Traveling with a one-year-old child may limit the number of places you can see. You may want to call ahead to museums and historical places, to see if there are any age restrictions.

v_ganeshraju

Hi All,
Thanks for the suggestions. Never thought i would get so many responses. Now i have a very clear picture how i need to plan my visit. I sincerely appreciate everyone. Good forum and excellent participants.

I am sorry for the confusion about my duration of visit. I will be landing there on 27th Dec 9 am and leave on 1st Jan 9 am. (5 days total stay).

I have made up my mind to not travel to Belgium or Amsterdam, rather, if possible visit versailles or some places around city of Paris, as people suggested here.

Anyone knows if France miniature will be open during the last week of December? That's something i would love to see.

Thanks very much again,
Ganesh Raju

whitey

Bravo to Imhornet for not re-hashing the same old opinions that you see on this board daily. He's certainly entitled to his opinion, and I whole- heartedly agree with his diminishing returns theory, although I think you can spend at least a week in Paris seeing the sites until you're forced to see the Museum of Unimportant Artists. By the way, is the museum on the left or right bank?