Sue4

I'll be in Paris for 2 weeks, leaving next week. I've been to Paris many times, so some day trips would interest me. I've done Chartres, Versailles, Rouen, Vaux , Fontainebleau, Giverney. This time I want to go to Chantilly, maybe Chateau de Maintenon, and closer-to-Paris sites like St. Germain de Laye, Vincennes.

I love medieval history, so thought about Provins, being a walled town. Has anyone done this recently? I know there is the upper town, where all the sites are, which is quite an uphill trek from the train station. My walking is more limited than it used to be, so I hate to get worn
out before getting to the main attractions. Does anyone who's been know if there is a bus available, or taxis? I have read about the little tourist train, but it is just in the upper town.

My alternative to going on the train on my own is one of those tourist buses, like ParisVision,
Which gets you there, includes tickets for a couple of attractions, then takes you back to Paris. It's more expensive, but in my case maybe worth it. Anyone done that, who can comment, or done the train trip/walking option to Provins.?

PalenQ

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

Here is my trip report from 4 years ago on a day trip to fabulous Provins - the walk up to the old town is a little steep but not too far and well worth it as what you see on the way - ancient streets is well worth the trek p- not IMO a strenuous walk - taxis are certainly available at the train station which is right in town.


A walled town to me is a bit of a misnomer - you have to go well away from the upper town to see the rampart, from below but can't be seen from the modern town IME. But the walls if you see them are a great site.
I had to change trains once - at a small station from platform to platform but I think there are direct trains (from Gare de l'Est.

Easy to go on your own and set your own pace.

FrenchMystiqueTours

There is a bus from the train station to the upper town but I believe it arrives about 20-25 minutes after the train arrives so there's a bit of a wait once you get off the train. I haven't looked at this years bus schedule yet to verify but it's been that way in the past. You can easily do this trip on your own by taking one of the suburban trains from Gare de l'Est to Provins. The journey takes about 1 hour 25 minutes and you can search for train schedules and prices on www.transilien.com. The tourist office website will list all kind of info about what to see and do and activities, events and festivals:

http://www.provins.net/how-to-come.html

If you go to scroll down to the bottom of the "How To Come" page there is a link to a pdf doc with the schedules about the buses from the train station to the upper town. BTW, it is about a 1.5km walk from the train station to the upper town. There may be taxis outside the train station if you don't want to walk or wait for the bus. Be sure to stop at the tourist office and you'll get a map of the tourist trail through town and other info.

I do a lot of day trips from Paris and I've been to the places you've been as well as the places you haven't plus many other nice day trips from Paris. I've got a list of Paris day trips you can look at, if you want, by clicking on the link below:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#55885554

Some other nice medieval towns you could look into would be Moret-sur-Loing, Crécy-la-Chapelle, Senlis, Laon, Troyes, Sens and a few others I'm probably forgetting about. I think Laon is one of my favorite medieval towns near Paris. Never been to Troyes, which I know is great, but it's a big town whereas Laon is just this gem of a small town with a great cathedral perched high on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Sue4

Thanks so much for your great replies! I' m glad you both think this is a worthwhile day trip, and to hear that you enjoyed it, Palenque.

FrenchMystisque, the Provins.net website is perfect for what I need to know. They said that there is a shuttle bus that meets the Paris trains, and you can buy an all-day pass on it - in case I want to see some of the lower town, too. Also great details about the monuments, shows,etc. I'm so glad I can do this on my own and not have to fool with the ParisVision Bus. By the way, this looks like a great place for a day trip for people with children, too.

Wish I could visit all those towns you mention - I've been to Sens., where I dropped off my car after a driving trip through Burgundy. I think Laon might be good on my next Paris trip. Troyes sounds like it's worth an overnight. Also, I considered doing Chantilly and Senlis together this time, but decided not to
(just Chantilly), since I' m at the "age of limitations"!

Sue4

FrenchMystique, I just saw your day trip list on Trip Advisor- terrific information! I'll definitely bookmark that for the future - and maybe for this trip as well. Thanks for posting it!

isabel

I went to Provins as a day trip from Paris last summer. Here is my trip report that describes it. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...swiss-alps.cfm

And here are the photos - www.pbase.com/annforcier/provins&page=all

FrenchMystiqueTours

Hi Sue4. If you change your mind and decide you want to do Senlis and Chantilly on the same day then bus 15 connects these two places. You can look at http://www.oise-mobilite.fr/ and it will give you bus schedules, maps of the route and show you where the bus stops are. If you want to see photos of Chantilly and Senlis (and places nearby) you can have a look at a photo report I wrote about visiting these places: http://tinyurl.com/ch2odst

Hope you have a great time and I'm sure you'll love Provins.

Sue4

FrenchMystique, thanks for the info. Actually, I had seen your lovely pictorial report on here previously when I was looking up Provins. I really enjoyed it. A bike would be the best way in the world to enjoy the French countryside and the villages. Wish I could do that!

Isabel, I loved your trip report- what a wonderful trip for you and your daughter. And your photos were gorgeous- those of Paris should make up a travel brochure, honestly. I can 't wait to look at the rest of the photos. I'm sure the Dordogne ones will have me going back there!

I'm sure I'll make it to Provins this time, and Chantilly. Hopefully Senlis, too. By the way, is the final "s"
On both those towns pronounced, or silent? I need to know that when I buy my train (and bus) tickets!

Harmeet

I am planning to go to Provins on Sep,27th (Sunday). Is it much busier than the weekdays or calmer?
Also do the shuttle buses run from the railway station to tourism office on Sundays?

FrenchMystiqueTours

There won't be much activity in September since summer is over. It would be better to go on a weekend when you're likely to see more people there and it will feel more lively than a weekday. A Saturday would be best as most stores and shops (except for some restaurants and bakeries) will be closed on Sundays. You can look at the tourist office website to find info about the shuttle buses. I posted the link earlier in the thread.

MaineGG

As for the pronunciation of Provins and Senlis, I checked this site and found that the final "s" is not being pronounced by French speakers in either place name.

http://www.acapela-group.com/

Sue4

I just came across this post from last year, before my May trip. After all my research, I never made it to Provins. Will be next time! I did Chantilly, Fontainebleau (again, as I love it), and several other shorter day trips.

Harmeet, please let us know about your Provins day, if you do go! I definitely want to go next trip.