wrenwood

My niece is in London on academic studies. She would like to know if there is a way to get from London (Notting Hill area) to Chateau de Pierrefonds (north east of Paris) via public transport. Anyone have any ideas?

Gordon_R

Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. SNCF from Gare du Nord to Compiegne. Local taxi (maybe bus?) to Pierrefonds.

adrienne

She should read this trip report on Pierrefonds. I don't think it gives public transport on how to get there but it's very interesting and has lots of pix. Compiegne is also a very interesting towns/area.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ierrefonds.cfm

StCirq

It's not going to be easy. It's in the middle of the Compiège forest.

1. Go to St-Pancras Station in London and take the Eurostar to Paris, Garde du Nord.

2. From Gare du Nord, take the train to Compiègne.

3. In Compiègne (I have no idea where, but probably at or close to the train station), take the #27 bus to the village of Pierrefonds. Walk to the castle.

Here's the Pierrefond village website:

http://www.pierrefonds-tourisme.net/...pratiques.html

Scroll down until you get to "Par bus." Then click on the link to the Oise mobilité site, which I guess will give your timetables and prices.

Every step of this journey is going to have to be thought out in advance - both going and coming - to ensure the best connections.

Bonne chance.

adrienne

I hope this isn't a day trip!

StCirq

Well, I suppose it could be, if planned down to the minute and nothing went wrong, but I sure wouldn't plan it that way. I drove to Pierrefonds from Paris once, and even that was a LONG day. I don't think you can even just visit the château on your own - you have to select tour times - which makes the planning even more difficult.

wrenwood

Wow, thanks! This gives some possibilities! Not a day trip, they plan on staying over somewhere ~ suggestions? Inexpensive? Great safe Hostel (she is my niece, I do have an abundance of "worry chromosomes!)

justineparis

No, you can certainly visit the Chateau on your own, I have several times, and the latest was only this past August. As long as she arrives during opening hours( check website) you can enter. We drove from Chantilly ( where we were staying) and it only took about 45 minutes or so.. Taking public transport would make it take longer as you would have to coordinate train and bus. It is a lovely place to visit ,we always have lunch by the pond/lake and enjoy a very lo key day.. we actually visited Chantilly and Pierrfonds on same day and didn't really rush, BUT we were not coming from England!! lol I would suggest she come in morning, do Pierrefonds, return to Paris, stay the night and leave the next day.. then she won't have to stress about missing the Eurstar back( and be too stressed about getting out there, if she misses a bus or what not, its open all day generally )
Paris is very safe( I go solo, and I am not especially brave or adventurous) , she can easily stay almost anywhere, but suppose for ease of Eurostar trip home it might be ok to stay by Gare Du Nord( its not dangerous its just a bit grubby and plain in my opinion) That way when she returns to Paris she can just walk to nearby hotel and back to station next day. Part of me thinks what a waste though, it would be nice to stay in Latin Quarter somewhere , she could walk to Notre Dame and river from this hotel " Hotel Saint Peirre" its near the Sorbonne, clean, cheap, and very safe area.. I have stayed there myself. She could just then take the metro ( which is close to hotel) back to Gare du Nord next day, its not a long trip, or taxi to station will run about 15 euros give or take depending on traffic.

Since she is in London I will assume she has learned a few street smarts ( re pickpockets and ignoring beggers ) so she should be fine.


Finally you didn't say when this trip was, but really , I hope its not now in rainy cold, its got quite a lot of outdoor walking at Peirrefonds, and the lake and tiny town is nice to wander ,, so hope they either going later in season or pick a nice day..



I would look on tripadvisor.com hotel reveiws, entering "gare du nord hotels" in search criteria.