Brussels or Bruges?

Easy answer,Bruges. Much more easier to view the beautiful sights.
Cant advise through Lille as we went on the train via Brussels.

We spend 2 months in Europe evey year (mostly France). Last year we spent 4 hours in Brussels (mostly on the main square) and 2 nights in Brugges. I think Brugges is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. We got there via Brussels. What you could do is take the TGV from Paris to Brussels Midi, then take the short hop from Midi to the central station, spend a couple of hours seeing the amazing central square, then back to Midi & off to Brugges. Check departure schedules, however, since you need to give yourself enough time in Brugges (we were there for 1 1/2 days and were busy all the time and went to zero museums). Personally, I would not go there for just 1 night - there is too much to see and you need to make some train connections to get there.

Not sure I would do a one-nighter to the Loire either It's an easy hop from Paris to Angers or St Pierre des Corps (Tours) on the TGV, but then you'll need a car to visit the most popular Chateaux.

We're leaving for 3 weeks in Paris on Friday and plan to take day trips to St Germaine en Laye, Parc St Cloud, Rouen, Fontainebleau, Vaux le Vicmte, and Reims. We've visited Versailles several times and Dijon also several times - both are easy day trips from Paris. We were also considering Chantilly & Chartres, but we'll be there next year on our '09 France vacation.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the quick answers! I love the idea of going through Brussels and spending a few hours there (taking a later train to Bruges). We are definitely NOT museum people, we mostly go for the shopping and the food! I'm sure there will be lots of picture taking also.

I know 2 nights would be ideal, but I'd hate to have the apartment paid for but not occupied for too many nights.

As for the Loire Valley, I've been twice already. We're considering taking the train into one of the cities there and taking a bus tour. I saw one that went to Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord (haven't visited inside, but have seen the outside) and Cheverny. It would be a lot to cram into one day, but I know the type of tourist that I am, I only need about 1 hour max per chateau and I'm very happy.

Thanks again for the advice!! I can't wait to go!!

Food & shopping were not the things that impressed us the most with Brussels & Brugges. It was the remarkable architecture of the central square in Brussels, and the beautiful architecture eveywhere in Brugge, and the canals that ran through the City. Brussels is noted to have good food - but I had the most un-interesting mussels there for lunch.

Stu Dudley

Easy answer - Brugge.

As indicated - go via Brussels where you can do a hit and run of the Grand Place.

Bruges in the evening is magical, the best photos we have ever taken were along the canals with the uplighting on the old buildings. The tourists leave and train back to Brussels, giving you the canal walks all to yourself. This is truly a unique and must see city.

Brugge!!! If you want to see some awesome picture of Brugge view/enjoy my photos at:


http://picasaweb.google.com/valroweco/BruggeBelgium2008

The B&B was "Be My Guest" you can email Anne (very nice lady) at:
bb_bemyguest@hotmail.com

I paid 60 Euros which included a nice breakfast.

Another Bruges!! Without a doubt! It is an enchanting place and small enough that you can see a lot of it with an overnight visit, though a longer stay is even better.

If you want to see pictures of Bruges and Brussels, go to my website, Bruges is on the second page

http://www.lynnsview.com/Gallery/

Enjoy your trip, I'm jealous!

Just returned from 4 nights in Bruges. Used one day to train to Brussels and back.

My recommendation: Bruges!

Great little town to explore.

We will return!

Bookmarking.

Bruges is simply stunning. On a cold night, wrapped up in your coat, hat and gloves and walking around the streets and canals then finding one of the dozens of excellent restaurants for moules and frites and the fab beer

Another vote for Brugge!

asking here...do you think it is worth it to go to Bruges for one day? We have an apartment in Paris for 10 nights. We were going to go to Reims but have decided against it (the chamagne houses I keep contacting are closed during the period when we are there).

I have really wanted to go to Bruges - dd and I were going to spend 4 nights there this fall but had to cancel our trip.

I will be traveling during Christmas (December 23- Jan 2).

"One day" that's a tough question for me to respond to. I was there for three days and didn't have the opportunity to see everything.

It's a beautiful, compact, medieval UNESCO Heritage city. However, if all you have is one night, don't deny yourself the opportunity to visit Brugge.

I don't know how often you get to Paris - but if you've only been there 3-4 times, I would just stay in Paris if you only have 10 days.

We were in Paris between Christmas & New Years about 12 years ago - and it was one of our favorite times there.

Stu Dudley

I have only been to Paris once before - I am new to European Travel but have the bug BAD .

I think we will end up passing... it seems like a great place for dh and I to go alone but not sure that 3 teens and one preteen will appreciate the trip... and the train cost would most likely be better spent else where.

If it was not highly irrsponsible I would leave them for the day and sneak out with just dh

I will go to bruge every time I have an opportunity. I remember one time I went only for some hours while we were staying in Paris. That city is jewel.

have a nice trip.
Yoly

Bruges is wonderful. The boat tours along the canal are a great way to see the town. Don't know if they run in December though.

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

Yet another vote for Bruges!!

The Thalys is a high speed train that runs between Paris and Brussels, that would be the quickest way to travel. Then from Brussels to Brugge is about an hour.

Brussels is a nice city, we like it there but Brugge is special, very attractive and walkable. We had 4 days there and found lots to do.

Also we've found Belgian food to be very good. Fantastic cake shops and some wonderful meals. Also great chocolate shops.

I would go even if for one day. It's better than not going at all.

Kay

Ruby99,
I just went to the Loire, and wrote up a post regarding the Chateaux visits there. If ytou can drive, and like to max your visit to 1 hour, you can definetaley see more than 3, see my post for more info if you like.

I didn't know this thread was still active! Thanks again for all the great replies.

We have booked a B&B for 1 night in Bruges and are in the process of arranging train travel. Can't wait!

I'm not sure we'll get to the Loire Valley this time, I'm thinking that could be a wonderful trip in 2-3 years time concentrating only in that area and south-west France. Intex, I'm going to go read your post!

Can one catch a train from Brugges straight to Amsterdam?

Brugges thats easy!

Okay - it's officially making me crazy. The name is BRUGGE in Flemish, which I believe is the preferred version since it is in West Flanders and it's history is predominantly Flemish, or BRUGES in French, which I think most English speakers default to (shame) because it is easier to pronounce.

BRUGGES it is not.

I agree with you, Aramis.

bookmarking

Okay, it's making ME crazy

>and it's history is predominantly Flemish, or <<

it's "ITS", not "It's", if it were it's , it would read. "it is history is predominantly"

It's so easy to make those little mistakes. Note to self - always check that you grammar is perfect before correcting others.

For example, one might type;

"it would read. 'it is history predominantly'" instead of
"it would read; 'it is history predominantly'"

If one dishes out, one must be able to take it

Another vote for Bruges. And, by the way, be sure to see the movie 'In Bruges', it's great, but see it after you visit Bruges as you'll better be able to recognize every place in the film. It's a dark murder/comedy with a great cast and location.

As for Bruges itself, we spent two nights just off the square at a Best Western. The town is just fantastic. And as for comparison to Brussels, none. Brussels was nice, Bruges was fantastic, touristy a bit, but wonderful.

I have a few questions about Bruges. What is the easiest and most economical way to get there? International air, or train from another city, or low cost air from another city? How much time, by train to go from Paris to Bruges? What kind of weather is usual in September? Thanks in advance.

If you Google Belgian rail, you'll get a nice website for the national train system that should get you your answers to rail connections.

I don't think there is a straight rail shot from Bruges to Amsterdam, but there are planty of trains to both Brussels and Antwerp and connections in those towns are so quick it is not much of an issue.

My one trip to Bruges we went up through Lille and back through Brussels. As far as ease of transfer and pleasantness of the respective rail stations and routes, the connection through Brussels was much nicer. We had a group of five and I just happened to get a low cost rail fare through Lille, but that was then and this is now. If one has to go from Paris to Bruges and gets a cheaper fare through Lille and money matters, then that connection is nice enough, but if comfort is the issue or money isn't an issue, then you should go through Brussels.

As far as getting there, flying into CDG-Paris, Schiphol, or any airport in Belgium is equally good, since there are ample rail connections from these airports.

currently i have plans to visit brussels for two days but perhaps i need to reroute it to bruges.

I happen to be a huge jean claude van damme fan (seen every single one of his movies). does anyone know if there's a jcvd museum.... or some sort of jcvd themed attraction in brussels or bruges?

If there is, I'm not going back....