My wife and daughter want to do a day trip to see 2-3 châteaux during a June trip to Paris. They do not plan to have car, so a commercial bus-based tour seems the best. We are seeking recommendations--which tour company? which châteaux? which day of the week? etc?
In their ideal world there would be less time on a bus and more time in/around the sites, but . . . .
Chateaux Day Trips from Paris?
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Versaille, though not a medieval castle is definitely worth a visit - it's only 30mins fro Paris by train from Paris Lyon station to Versailles Rive Gauche station from which it's a 5min walk.
There is also:
Chateau de Vincennes - eastern end of Metro Line 1, it has it's own Metro station
Chantilly- palace - 30 mins north of Paris from Paris Nord to Chantilly Gouvieu
Vaux-le-Vicomte -palace & Le Notre gardens - Paris Lyon to Melun
Blandy-le-Tours - also close to Melun (see above)
Fontainebleau - Paris Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon in about 40mins
Sceaux palace & Le Notre gardens - Right by Parc de Sceaux RER 25mins from paris Nord
Hope that helps!!
There is absolutely no need to take a bus to the Loire Valley to be able to enjoy some of the finest châteaux in France. Loco´s list includes some of the most memorable and historically and architecturally significant structures in the country.
However, to answer your question, if I were to attempt what you are purposing, I should take the early morning TGV from Montparnasse to Tours Centre (not St Pierre des Corps), walk across the street from the station to the Office de Tourisme and take one of the many mini bus tours. The train is only 1 hour from Paris, not 3 hours as is the bus, and you will have more options in selecting the itinerary which interest you.
Train tickets:
www.voyages-sncf.com (in French only)
www.tgv-europe.com
Tour information:
http://www.tours-tourisme.fr/guided-tours.html (the list is bigger during summer months)
Thank you, loco. We (they) have been to Versailles, Vincennes, and Sceax. We will take some day trips by train, but they are looking for tours that go to some of the places that are not easy to reach by train. I plan to go with my wife to Chantilly.
Sarastro--thank you. I will pass along your advice. We use the train frequently when in France. Avoiding a long bus ride out of Paris is a good idea,