Intex

Thanks Thomas.
So far this trip we have done:
1. Chartres: Well worth the visit, the town is very nice and midiviel. The Cathedral is amazing, but I think you would leave with a different opinion if you did not take the English Speaking tour with malcolm Miller. One of the best guides I have ever had. Well worth the time and cost. We took both the morning and afternoon tour, and he geared them to different aspects of the Church.

2: Saint Germain-en-Laye: A very nice daytrip from Paris today. About a 30min RER train ride (A1) from Chatelet Metro station.

When arriving in town, head to the Tourist Bureau, where you can get a map showing a 1 1/2 walking tour of the old town area., Then tour the Palace in front of the RER station.

The town has medievel beginings, but most of the old town is from the 16th Century. Small streets, alleys and walways. Alot of very nice restaurants at each turn. You can't go wrong

3. Auvers-Sur-Oise: Thank you for the suggestion of Auvers-sur-Oise. We went today, and I did enjoy it, especially seeing the 20-30 odd spots where he painted his last pictures, along with the pictures themselves.

One note: Anyone going should check train times ahead of time, as we waited for 1 3/4 hour at Gare de Nord, and 1 hour at another station, just to get there

4. Chatou : A suggestion from Thomas, I had forgotten about this place, as I had recently read the "historic-novel" about the painting of Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party", and most of the story took place at Restaurant Fournaise, which is located about 1/2 mile walk from the Malmaison stop, 15 minutes out from Paris on the A1 RER train, on the way to St Germain-En-Laye. The restaurant has been fully restored. The food was great, the view was great, and they have a Renoir museum on the first floor. Note that the Museum is open Wed-Friday only. I thought this was going to be a tourist trap, but we were the only non-locals.

I am open to more suggestions , as we have quite alot of time to wander around Paris, etc. Normandy next week.

Robespierre

If you've never been there - and cost isn't a constraint - I'd suggest London. The train ride takes about the same time as getting to Bayeux, and the time zone works in your favor (England is one hour later than France).

If you take the 6h43 Eurostar and return on the 20:05, you'll have about 12 hours to explore one of the most exciting cities on the planet. Some will say that there's plenty to do in France, and that's true. But there is nothing there that's intrinsically more "interesting" or "historic" than in England. It's just another choice of where to go with limited time.

Eurostar.com is currently offering a 77€ round trip fare.
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Anyway, don't miss Versailles. You can buy a comprehensive package described here: http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...oisirs/lang/en

Intex

Thank you for the suggestion, but I lived in London as a student, and have been back several times, once the day after the movie Mission Impossible came out, the kids loved being on the Eurostar that day. Don't want to brave the crowds on this trip though.

The problem with tickets is, if you are not flexible on dates and times, a 1st class tix can cost almost as much as a plane ticket to the US.

nancy

I loved Rouen which was about a 45 min. train ride from Paris. Spent the whole day as it's a delightful city/town. Three wonderful churches, museums, parks, walk along the river, wander thru the Old Town and an abundance of architectural sites.

Rouen continually stands out in my mind as one of the best day trips I've taken in Europe.

Get a map at the tourist center which is in the center of town. Will take you everywhere.

Intex

Thank you Nancy, we will be visiting Rouen,Honfleur, and Bayeaux on our trip to Normandy later this month or early Sept.

I am just trying to find more day trips a bit closer for the next few weeks.

As far as Chateua's, would Vaux-de Comptes (sp?) be a good choice for a day trip, or are there nicer examples nearby.

Vttraveler

Auxerre in northern Burgundy would make a nice day trip

The basilica of St Denis is not really a day trip but in the suburbs.

I was interested in reading your account of Chatou which I had wondered about after reading the Afternoon of the Boating Party

Gretchen

When in Rouen don't miss the IMpressionist wing of the Beaux ARts museum. We thought it outstanding.
If you are looking at chateaux, then take a day tour to the Loire for the real thing.
Monet's Gardens/Giverney been done yet? Certainly worth the day.

Intex

Chatou : This was not like I had imagined it to be, but then again unfortunately time progresses, and once idylicc spots become somthing else. You exit the train stop, cross the railroad bridge, then walk thru the industrialized part of town .5 mile, to you come to a huge steel bridge over the seine , once you cross it, there is a path that leads to the restaurant. It is pretty much as described in the book. it is what I would now call "higher-end" dining, although not expensive. It was empty at 12:00 when we arrived and I shot my phoots to resemble Renoirs vantage point, then at 12:30 it was totally packed, inside, as well as outside on the balcony. Almost all businessmen from the surrounding buisness. Across the river is a newer modern very large apt. complex, not exactly in keeping with the mood. You can see before and after pixs here: http://www.restaurant-fournaise.fr/Page_welcome.htm

Intex

Gretchen,
We have been to Giverney twice, and have a great story about the trip... another time.

What castle in the Loire would you recommend for a day trip? We will take your advice and visit the Beaux Arts Museum.

avalon

Closer in to Paris and not really a day trip, try St Denis , the church and crypt are worth the short metro ride'

Another medieval town close by is Provins

ira

HI I,

>I am open to more suggestions ...<

Auxerre is a very nice, old town on a river. It's about 1:30 hr by train from Paris.

Shanti

I liked Troyes. It has churches, a cathedral, several museums (including a very nice art museum), half-timbered houses and a market. You could easily spend an entire day there.

charlieg

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Intex

Avalon,
We did St. Denis today, occupying half of the day. The metro line takes you there on Line 13, you get off at Basilica St. Denis, and its right around the corner. Entry to the Basilica is free, that is the back half, but entry to the front half, where the Crypts are, as wll as many tombs of past French Kings and the Choir, are subject to a 5-6 Euro charge. They have an audio tour that explains almost everythuing, as well as a video with English subtitles. I didn't know so many past Kings were buried there, with their tombs, as well as Marie-Antoinette! The church was beautiful, and most parts have been restored. Afterwards we went to the St Denis Museum, foir what it cost to enter, I dont think I would recommend it, unless you were a die-hard fan of the city. Other than that the city did not have much else to offer, it was full of swap meet shoppers. They did have the Christofle (silverware) factory, but uits only open Thurs/Friday- missed it.

Any other suggestions will be appreciated, and most probably tried!

StCirq

Chantilly, Senlis, Fontainebleau, the Parc St-Cloud, Bois de Vincennes, Vaux-le-Vicomte, and here's one I'm guessing isn't on your radar screen: Meudon, featured in last week's Pariscope, described as "de Céline à Auguste Rodin, de l'architecture de l'après-guerre à l'écologie." Things to enjoy there include a Musée Rodin, mainson provés, a Maison de la Nature,the Parc du Potager du Dauphin, and a Musée d'Art et d'Histoire.

Intex

St Cirq,
Thank you for the suggestions, I will look into all, and am sure visist some.

Flying_Mom

Thanks for all of the day trip tips. I plan on taking my mom to Europe next fall and are intersted in many of your ideas....

TDudette

Hub and I enjoyed chateaux Chenonceau and Cheverny very much. The latter is still inhabited by descendents of the original Medici family.
We went on a guided tour (Citirama) so I can't help if you wish to DIY.

jay

Fontainbleu is a nice trip and has a very nice market.

tdk320n

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