mike

My wife and I will be in Paris for 7 days in May. We have about 3 additional days at the end of the trip and I thought it would be nice to get out and see some different sites (we've been to Paris and it's environs about 4 time the past 3 years). Originally, we were thinking of basing ourselves in some nice village in the Loire Valley or Burgandy and bike around for a few days. But after reading so many positive comments on this forum about Bruges, I am thinking of heading up there for a 3-day stay. We really don't want to rent a car and I think all of these are doable without one, but suggested itineraries and feedback are requested. Thanks!

Richard

Mike, I would opt for the Loire, basing in Blois and biking from there for visits to the chateaux and picnics on the Loire. Brugge and Ghent are great, but after 7 days in Paris you might want to visit the countryside.

francesca

If you like wine, Chablis is only about 1.5 hours drive and is the beginning of Burgundy. Dijon is 2 hrs by TGV and makes a lovely base for visiting the area, as does Beaune. The Loire is also beautiful, close (1.5 to Chambord). Chinon would make a nice base there. Also good wine to be had (and cheaper than Burgundy). The cliffs in Etretat in Normandy are around 2-2.5 hours away if you want to be by the ocean.

carol

I've been to Bruges, and while I'd urge anyone visiting Belgium not to miss it, I wouldn't pass up either the Loire valley or Burgundy for it.

Anna

I realise that you do not want to rent a car, but once you get outside of the centre of Paris, driving is easy. You could easily manage a day or two driving around Champagne and the finish off with a day in Bruges. Bruges is beautiful, but very small, so you do not need a huge amount of time there.