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Any beautiful place near Paris to visit in winter?

Any beautiful place near Paris to visit in winter?

Old Dec 11th, 2011, 06:21 AM
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Any beautiful place near Paris to visit in winter?

I'm visiting Paris for the second time and would like to visit some beautiful places outside the city, or else some non touristy places in Paris. I'm concerned about the weather, so I would appreciate any advice that would help me have a nice holiday in the winter in France.
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 07:18 AM
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are you talking about day-trips, Manehjan? or longer stays?

and when exactly are you going to be in Paris?

have you been to Versailles yet?
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 07:38 AM
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Chartres, one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world. The town itself is a great get-away and in the winter there are few tourists.

While you have to possibility of rain (maybe snow) with the cold, dress in layers so if it changes then you can adjust.

dave
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 07:40 AM
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Strasbourg is a lovely place to visit - especially pre-xmas...
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 09:06 AM
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St. Denis--all, or at least most of the French kings are buried there.jk
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 09:18 AM
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Auvers-sur-Oise, Chantilly, Senlis, Fontainebleau, Ile des Impressionistes, Barbizon, Compiègne...there are dozens.
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 10:24 AM
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http://www.francetourisme.fr/tours-d.../fontainebleau

One of my favs... not far from Paris.

www.eurocheapo.com/paris other options.
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 11:03 AM
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In winter the countryside won;t look like anything - unless covred in snow - quite rare - although very chilly and rainy is frequent. So I suggest you stick with other cities - so you have plenty to do indors.

Either stick someplace nearby - like Chartres - or someplace you can get to via TGV - like Strasbourg.
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 03:32 PM
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Strasbourg seems like a good idea. I'd also suggest Reims. You can do Reims in a day trip, I did.
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 04:28 PM
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Manehjan, No doubt, you will get some excellent suggestions here. I would also recommend reading Ina Caro’s new book PARIS TO THE PAST: TRAVELING THROUGH FRENCH HISTORY BY TRAIN.

Focus is on historical/cultural/ architectural sites within 1 ½ hours of Paris by train, with suggestions for excellent restaurants in each area.
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Old Dec 11th, 2011, 06:43 PM
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We'll be taking the tgv to Lyon in February. It can be done as a day trip.
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Old Dec 12th, 2011, 11:41 AM
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yes, excellent idea, I did Lyon as a day trip, also, and it's a very attractive city
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 01:00 AM
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Actually Paris is more beautifull place than thinks most of people. I tripped there by Vivaster ( http://vivaster.com/france/city/paris ), and had dazed by romance of that's french nights. I believe we must appreciate delightful capital.
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 01:36 AM
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There have been several threads about day trips from Paris.
French mystique has a fabulous list.

Some of my fav not yet cited are Vaux Le Vicomte and Pierrefonds.

If you have children or are a fan of Disney DLP is one hour from center.

Bruxelles is also 1,5 hours from Paris.

Pay attention to St Denis - pickpockets abound.
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 08:50 AM
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Most of the pickpockets are in central Paris, not in St. Denis.

I would have mentioned Pierrefonds, but without a car it is very complicated to go there even though it is only 100km from Paris. (First you have to go to Compiègne...)
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 03:38 PM
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If Second the book Paris to the Past! Great resource.

Strasbourg was very pretty pre-Christmas but we regretted not staying over night ( or we should have taken an earlier train from Paris to get there). I felt like we could have done Strasbourg more justice with more time there.

I love Reims...the cathedral is magnificent and a stop into a Champagne house would be a great day for me.

I have put off going to Vaux le Vicomte in winter but 2016 my be the year we finally do it. I had hoped to see the grounds in bloom but we always end up in Paris around Christmas, so we will just have to bite the bullet, I think.
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