Reliable tour companies for day trips?

Old Dec 4th, 2016, 08:31 PM
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Reliable tour companies for day trips?

We are staying in Paris for 10 days and want 2-3 day trips. Reliable tour companies???
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Old Dec 4th, 2016, 08:37 PM
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Where abouts do you want to go/see . . . most places out of Paris don't really require tours/tour companies.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 01:55 AM
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When I want to take a day trip out instead of doing my own planning, I use Viator.com. Please be aware they are a 3rd party vendor but I get deals through them and they hook you up through the local tour companies. One Is Paris City Vision and I've done a few tours with them. A tour is a tour often fast with not much free time but you do see what you want to see. I also like paying in my local currency.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 02:44 AM
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sassy that is very interesting.

I hardly ever take a tour and if I do I book direct. I read Viator was putting a high margin
So they definitely have added value that I don't see.
Interesting.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 02:45 AM
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You really can do it yourself as has been mentioned. Read a guide book or ask here how to get to "so and so". Public transportation is excellent.
A big tour bus is not always the best way to enjoy a trip.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 02:54 AM
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I live in the US so can pay in USD and they offer 5%, 10% and even 20% off. I just came back from Germany and got 20% off the tours I booked. The discounts don't come often but they do come and so I wait for as long as possible. I also get FF miles when spending over a certain amount. So to me a win win. I have been booking through them for years because of this and believe you can pay in other currencies.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 06:29 AM
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These companies are mainstream, big bus tours(although they both offer higher priced small van tours for some sights).

They are long established and considered reliable and reputable.

You deal directly with them.. like others I consider "Viatour" not worth dealing through.. there is no need to pay in your American currency.. no advantage to that at all except it makes Americans feel good? You put the charge on your card in euros and your bank will process it for you in dollars..

Pariscityvision

www.pariscityvision.com/

Francetourisme


I have used both.

I agree do not waste money on tour taking for the easy ones.. go to Monets Gardens yourself.. same with Versailles or Fontainbleu.. but I did one to Brugges, one to Mont St Michel ( a VERY long day trip by my daughter insisted) and one to Loire Valley Chateau( I think this was my favorite) .

These day tours are expensive and long days.. but for some of the farther away places.. if you don't want to rent a car or stay over night ( Mont St Michel and D Day beaches really should be an overnight at least trip) then these bus tours are the easy option .

www.francetourisme.fr/
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 07:24 AM
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>>I agree do not waste money on tour taking for the easy ones.. go to Monets Gardens yourself.. same with Versailles or Fontainbleu.. but I did one to Brugges, one to Mont St Michel ( a VERY long day trip by my daughter insisted) and one to Loire Valley Chateau( I think this was my favorite) .
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 08:01 AM
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There is absolutely no need to use a tour company to do the majority of day trips that are close to Paris as they can very easily be done on your own, unless you are mobility impaired.

If you want to go to anyplace that requires a reservation for train tickets (all TGV trains and many Intercités trains) you'll need to buy them 3 months in advance to get the cheapest ticket prices. For some popular routes tickets may go on sale 4 or more months in advance and this is especially true for summer months.

The cheapest train tickets are going to be the local trains near Paris that have fixed prices so you don't need to buy tickets in advance and you can also wait for the best weather day to do a day trip.

Here is a brief list that summarizes many of the most popular day trips from Paris (within an hour and a half by train). With the exception of Reims, Troyes and Rouen I haven't included places that require advance train ticket purchase to get the cheapest train ticket prices. The rest of the destinations are all local trains with fixed prices. There are certainly many other day trips you could also do but this list covers most of the biggies:

__________________________________________________ ______________________
Provins (an authentic walled medieval town): http://www.provins.net/
Trains depart from Gare de l'Est. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte.
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Château of Chantilly (wonderful fairytale château, famous art collection): http://www.chateaudechantilly.com/fr/
http://www.chantilly-tourisme.com/
Trains depart from Gare du Nord and arrive at Chantilly-Gouvieux. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ __________________________

Senlis (beautiful small medieval town can be combined with a visit to Chantilly):
http://en.senlis-tourisme.fr/
Take train to Chantilly (see above). Take bus number 15 from Chantilly to Senlis. Bus schedules here: http://www.oise-mobilite.fr/index.asp
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Reims (champagne tours, great historic cathedral, museums):
http://www.reims-tourisme.com/
Take TGV train from Gare de l'Est. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices. Train tickets cheapest if purchased 3 months in advance.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Epernay (champagne tours): http://www.ot-epernay.fr/
Trains depart from from Gare de l'Est. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Fontainebleau (former royal town with famous château):
http://www.musee-chateau-fontaineble...mmaire&lang=en
http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/index.php/en/
Trains depart from Gare de Lyon arrive at Fontainebleau-Avon. Take Bus 1 from train station to château. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Versailles (obvious):
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage
http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/en/accueil.html
There are several possible ways to get here by train from Paris. Easiest (least confusing) is to take RER C from Paris to Versailles Rive-Gauche. Use www.ratp.fr for train info.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Rambouillet (Royal château now Presidential palace, nearby forest for hiking/biking, pretty downtown. On the same rail line as Versailles and Chartres)

http://www.rambouillet-tourisme.fr/

http://chateau-rambouillet.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/

Trains depart from Gare Montparnasse. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte (the château after which Louis XIV based his garden renovations for Versailles and IMO one of the most elegant château in France):
http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/
http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/useful-information
Trains depart from Gare de l'Est and arrive in Verneuil l'Etang. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte. See the château website for info on transport between the train station and the château.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Rouen (small city, lots to do, wonderful cathedral, medieval old center): http://www.rouentourisme.com/
Trains depart from Gare Saint-Lazare. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules. Tickets cheapest if purchased 3 months in advance. Last minute tickets cost 22.80€ each way (45.60€ round trip).
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Giverny (Monet's house and gardens):
http://fondation-monet.com/en/
http://giverny.org/giverny/
http://giverny.org/gardens/index.htm
http://www.vernon-visite.org/index.shtml
Trains depart from Gare Saint-Lazare and arrive in Vernon. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices. Look at links above for info about shuttle bus to Giverny, or walking or renting a bike.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Chartres (the famous cathedral and wonderful old medieval town):
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en
http://www.discover-chartres.com/

Malcolm Miller Cathedral Tours:

Daily tours of Chartres Cathedral from Easter until late October are at 12 noon and 2.45 p.m. Not on Sundays, and during the winter occasionally or on request.

E-mail address is [email protected].

Trains depart from Gare Montparnasse. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Compiègne (château with museums, wonderful old town. Can be combined with a visit to the château of Pierrefonds): http://www.compiegne-tourisme.fr/
Trains depart from Gare du Nord. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ _________________________

Château of Pierrefonds (Magnificent fairytale looking château. Reconstructed in the 19th century but magnificent nonetheless. Can be combined with a visit to Compiègne):
http://www.pierrefonds.monuments-nationaux.fr/
http://www.pierrefonds-tourisme.net/
http://www.compiegne-tourisme.fr/Le-...errefonds.html
Take train to Compiegne (see above). There are shuttle buses from Compiegne to Pierrefonds but they are infrequent. Use www.oise-mobilite.fr for bus info. Easiest means of access is taxi from Compiegne to Pierrefonds. The tourist office in Compiegne will assist with taxi service.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Troyes (lovely small medieval city):
http://www.tourisme-troyes.com/
Trains depart from Gare de l'Est. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Auxerre (lovely small medieval city):
http://www.ot-auxerre.fr/
http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/page...erre-1034.html
Trains depart from Gare de Lyon. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Laon (medieval hilltop town with a spectacular cathedral): http://www.laon-tourism.co.uk/
Trains depart from Gare du Nord. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Crépy-en-Valois (charming little medieval town with 12th century châteaux, abbey ruin, quaint streets, nice park)
http://www.valois-tourisme.fr/ot_cre...nglish_version
Trains depart from Gare du Nord. Use http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Crécy-la-Chapelle (small charming renowned artists village): http://www.cc-payscrecois.fr/Crecy-la-Chapelle,203.html Trains depart from Gare de l'Est. Transfer at Esbly to the next train for Crécy. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte.
__________________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Moret-sur-Loing (charming walled medieval village/artists village):
http://www.msl-tourisme.fr/index.php/francais/accueil
Trains depart from Gare de Lyon and arrive at Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Auvers-sur-Oise (Van Gogh and other impressionist art history):
http://www.auvers-sur-oise.com/heading/heading899.html
Trains depart from either Gare Saint-Lazare or Gare du Nord. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules and prices.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Rueil-Malmaison (château of the Empress Josephine and a nice old downtown. On the RER A line and could be combined with a visit to Saint-Germain-en-Laye):
http://www.chateau-malmaison.fr/en
http://www.rueil-tourisme.com/EN/
Take RER A to La Défense and then bus 258 to Château de Malmaison. Also possible to take RER A to Rueil-Malmaison and then walk 1.5km to 2km to old downtown and then to château. Bus number 144 also available from RER station to get to downtown then walk to château. Use www.ratp.fr for transport info.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Saint-Germain-en-Laye (former royal town with a wonderful château now home to the national museum of archaeology. On the RER A line and could be combined with a visit to Malmaison):
http://www.ot-saintgermainenlaye.fr/en/
http://www.ot-saintgermainenlaye.fr/...of-archeology/
http://musee-archeologienationale.fr/
Take RER A from Paris to Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Use www.ratp.fr for train info.
__________________________________________________ __________________________

Barbizon (famous artists village, can be combined with Fontainebleau):
http://www.barbizon-tourisme.fr/
Trains depart from Gare de Lyon and arrive in Fontainebleau-Avon. Use www.transilien.com for train schedules. Train ticket is Mobilis Pass zones 1-5 or Navigo Découverte. It is necessary to take a taxi from Fontainebleau to Barbizon.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

IMPORTANT NOTE: When using the http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ website here are a few tips. When entering Paris as your arrival or departure point you will notice a drop down menu appears when you start to type the word ''paris''. Select ''Paris (all stations – FR)'' and this will automatically bring up the correct train station in Paris for your journey. Be sure to uncheck the box marked ''Direct Trains'' to see all options.

If you are redirected to the RailEurope then try again and select ''Antarctic'' as your ticket collection country to avoid being redirected to the RailEurope website. The RailEurope website usually doesn't show all the trains and shows higher ticket prices. Be sure to also look at other ticket purchase options. You can also use the German rail site www.bahn.de for schedules but it will not give train ticket prices.

These are the most popular day trips and all are worthwhile but there are many other less popular and equally worthy day trips. I could easily list a couple dozen more but only if what's on this list doesn't interest you. A good guide book for the Île-de-France region should give you more ideas.

You'll need to take a train from Paris to do these day trips. For info on trains in Paris and the nearby suburbs (métro and RER trains and those TER trains that operate within zone 5) use the website www.ratp.fr. Use the interactive map on this website to plan your trip: http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk. Parts of this website are in French so you can use an English language companion site www.vianavigo.com. You can also use www.transilien.com for métro and RER trains and those TER trains that are part of the Transilien network. Some TER trains on the Transilien network go beyond zone zone 5. It's a personal choice as to whether you prefer using the RATP or Transilien website.

A great website to learn about the Paris métro/bus/RER network is www.parisbytrain.com.

For trains that go further beyond the Île-de-France and/or outside of the Transilien network use the website http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ A great website to learn about trains in France (and Europe) is www.seat61.com if you have any train questions/problems.

Paris and many of the places nearby in Île-de-France are divided into zones, numbered 1 through 5. Paris is in zone 1 and areas outside Paris are in zones 2 through 5. Some of the destinations I mentioned are in zone 5 (Provins, Fontainebleau, Moret-sur-Loing, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Crécy-la-Chapelle, Barbizon). If you have purchased the Navigo Découverte Pass then it will cover your travel within all 5 zones. The Paris Visite Pass for zones 1 to 5 will also cover these destinations but this pass is often not good value for the money and is only worthwhile in certain circumstances. If you do not have these passes then for these journeys it will be more cost effective to buy a one day Mobilis pass for 17.30€ for zones 1 through 5. This will be cheaper than the point to point tickets round trip. Plus, this pass is good for unlimited travel on all public trains and buses for one day in zones 1-5. Buy it first thing in the morning before your first métro ride and it gets you to your train station, your round trip tickets, any buses you need to use at your destination and any traveling you'll do in Paris when you return. Before you use the ticket make sure to write your name and the date on the ticket. You can buy these passes from the ticket machines in métro/RER stations. The machines have an English language option. If so, look for the one day Mobilis pass option. When you get to the screen that lists your zones to choose from press zone 1 and then press zone 5. You can also buy them at any ticket counter. You can buy these in advance of your journey since it's not valid until you write your name and date on it and validate the ticket on your first métro/RER trip or at the train station. If you buy the ticket at a main line train station then before boarding a train be sure to stick it in the machine that validates tickets and it will punch your ticket. Click on the following link to see a photo of the composting machine for Mobilis Passes and other Île-de-France tickets: http://parisbytrain.com/paris-trainm...ationpunching/
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 08:18 AM
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Bookmarking to save FrenchMystiqueTours' wonderful info.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 12:01 PM
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Check out the Ultimate Paris Guide (www.ultimateparisguide.com).
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 02:21 PM
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FrenchMystiqueTours, that is just brilliant.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 02:53 PM
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We did a day-trip to Crécy-la-Chapelle this past spring, and it was delightful. Our Navigo cards, loaded with a week-pass (19.95€ for Mon-Sun) covered the train (as it now does for all zones including the RER to/from CDG).

The Tourist Information Office had a self-guided walk map that worked quite well. (We also had available the walk in An Hour from Paris by Annabel Sims.

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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 03:26 PM
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FrenchMysticTours has given lots of great ideas. If you are up for a bike tour, check out his website for lots of fun options!

This November I used Blue Fox tours for a day trip to the Loire Valley. It was a minivan, not a big tour bus. I've also done day trips out of Paris on my own, but the Blue Fox tour was an easy way to visit 3 chateaux.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 07:56 PM
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Thanks so much for the info. I have travelled to Paris many times on my own---but felt a tour would eliminate long lines at Versailles? Also want ideas for day trips to places I had not been. I prefer small tours if I take them.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 08:32 PM
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You don't need a tour to avoid long lines at Versailles , although the Kings Aoartment tours would be a good option for doing so !
Arriving early with ticket in hand and getting in security line before it opens helps .

Frenchmystic gave you lots of great options
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