1/2 day side trip from Paris -- please help
 

Hey everyone,

If you were going to do a day or two side trip from Paris what would you choose from this list and why? Also, if you have a different suggestion (other than London) please share! Thank you

Antwerp
Luxembourg
Amsterdam
Geneva

I am basically looking for somewhere that I can see briefly in 2 days and potentially return to at a later date.

:)

oh i should have made the title say 1-2 days, not half day. Thanks

Although I haven't been to any of the four places you listed, I would choose any of the first three only. I didn't read that many comments that gives me the sense that Geneva would be most interesting out of the four choices.

What about Brugge? I love Amsterdam but would not want to go there with so little time. You might want to head south, Arles?, but that might be too long of a train ride for a short visit.

Suec1-- thank you. A friend of mine actually just recommended Brugge as well... I am going to look into that now.

Thanks for both respones!

I'm thinking Amsterdam is the easiest to get to, straight shot on the train. It takes about 4 hours, so you could leave one morning, spend the night and return the next late afternoon. That would give you an afternoon, evening and long morning to look around. Time enough for a canal cruise, a museum, some strolling and tram-riding and dinner out. You will definitely want to come back for a longer visit.

You can book train tickets using www.sncf.com, pay by credit card online, then pick up the tickets when you get to Paris.
Find and read the thread(s) by MorganB on how to do this, in great and helpful detail.

I like Genevaand think that 1 day in the old town would be great. But I would actually go to someplace not on your list- Eperny and Reims

how about Tours - easy to get to and plenty to see there. Or Orleans?

my 'different suggestion' would be elsewhere in France, the Loire Valley, or Normandy, or Champagne.

I would suggest the Normandy beaches and Mont st.Michel- a perfect 2 day trip. Save another country for another visit.

thank you everyone.... I still haven't made a final decision but am definitely looking into some of the locations you all suggested.

:)

Don't forget Lyon the 2nd/3rd biggest city(I can never tell if 2nd is Lyon or Marseille, followed by 4ht Nice)that's 2 hours away from Paris by TGV. So different from Paris and really manageable in such a short time. One day is OK, but there are enough to see and do for 2 days. Also perhaps other cities on TGV south line such as Avignon or Aic-en-Provence. I liked Marseille better though for the port area, boat to islands and especially the Calanque walks which may not be for you but I do it occasionally in an overnight trip to Marseille from Geneva.

Brugge is a great idea too, perhpas you can combine it with a brief visit to Grand Place of Brussel if you can do it over night.

And Lyon seems much easier/shorter trip than those on your list. Do a text search for Lyon here. There are more than a few mentions of it + reports.

Wherever you go, do it last minute when you are in Paris.
A lot depends on when you are going and the climate, what is going on in your possible destinations, and hotel availability.

For example, Geneva is great, but I wouldn't want to be there during a big trade show when the hotels are booked solid and the weather is the pits.

Wait untill you get to Paris and play it by ear. There are a lot places to go to for a side trip. A lot of events that you will not know about. And the weather is the wildcard. And you may find out that there is tons to do in Paris. So keep your options open.

G

Hi K,

Another vote for Bruges.

Also Dijon and Beaune.

((I))