1 week in France and deciding to stay in Paris
 

My partner and I have planned to stay one week in November in Paris. Rather than rent a car and drive out to the country for a few days, I think we will get a hotel and use it a base. Day trips to Fountainbleau, Versailles, maybe Chartes... Any ideas from the group? We are not big museum or art gallery people.

Other day trips: Giverny, Reims, D-Day beaches, Lyon (veeery long day trip, but it can be done). <BR>In Paris: Bois de Vincennes - has a chateau, gorgeous gardens, botanical displays, miniature golf (I'm not kidding); Bois de Boulogne - huge forest, bicycle rental, 'amusement' park; Viaduct des Artistes - old viaduct with gardens on top, artists' studios and artisan shops underneath; Seine River and Canal St Martin boat cruises; bike rental along the Canal St Martin; l'OpenTour bus (grand circuit of the city, hop on/off); Batobus (same idea, except on a boat - buy a day pass and ride it between the sights); Cemeteries - Pere Lachaise, Montparnasse, Montmartre, St Vincent, Picpus; Lots and lots of churches with incredible histories and works of art; art classes at the Louvre; cooking classes/demos at Cordon Bleu or Ritz-Escoffier. <BR> <BR>You can devise your own tour around your interests. I've done architecture, Americans in Paris, Three Musketeers....it takes some research and good planning, but you can really enjoy the adventure of finding the building where the treaty was signed that ended the American Revolution and made Britain recognize the United States of America. <BR> <BR>

Hi <BR>I don't know if this is your first trip to Paris or not, but if it's your first, <BR>a week is not that much time to see a good deal of Paris plus do some daytrips. <BR>Versailles, if you can appreciate <BR>opulent architecture and over-the-top furnishings; you will wonder why the French Revolution took so long to occur. <BR>Chartres, a magnificent Cathedral with <BR>gorgeous stained glass; guided tours are available most days which are very informative. <BR>Fontainebleau didn't thrill me for some reason, but that's just me. I'm not sorry I went, but not much stayed in my memory I'm afraid. Vaux-le-Vicomte, on the other hand, which was a forerunner of Versailles, was a wonderful experience, and it certainly is not a place that every tourist gets to. <BR>In Paris,in addition to elvira's suggestions, (and if you're going to Pere LaChaise, which is fascinating, be prepared for a LOT of hilly walking) <BR>you might want to consider a small and museum just to get a taste. <BR>The Rodin Museum is quite small in a former private mansion, and the sculptures are easy to appreciate. Other small museums include the Picasso, <BR>the Marmottan (especially if you have any interest in Monet), there's a Museum of the Army in Invalides where Napoleon's tomb is, there's a Magic Museum, a Museum of the Middle Ages (and not far away are the ruins of some Roman arenas), a Fashion and Textile museum, a Music museum, a Film museum, museums/homes honoring Georges Sand, Victor Hugo, Balzac, etc. <BR>You can also explore Catacombs, and <BR>Sewers, if that's of interest. <BR>I have a file on Paris and daytrips; if you'd like to see it, email me. <BR>

Thank you for the great responses.

Incidently, Lyon is only 2 hours by TGV and you are zooming through the French Countryside, so if you haven't seen any of France it's a very comfy way to do it. I think Lyon is fabulous. Be sure to exit at the second station and walk to Vieux Lyon. It is enchanting. Also, take the funicular up the hill to the Cathedral and on the way down visit the Roman ruin s.

Oh, god, you are all making me want to go back to France right NOW!!! I can hardly stand it. <BR> <BR>Al -- I think it's a wise decision to use Paris as a base. The only problem is, there are too many daytrips and too little time! I have been to Versailles, Chartres, the Loire Valley, and Giverny as daytrips from Paris. My favorite by far was the Loire Valley (TGV to Tours, only an hour or so away). Second favorite was Versailles. Chartres was probably third. But I loved Giverny too! All great. <BR> <BR>On my list for another time are Fontainebleau, Lyon, and Reims. Not to mention Mont St. Michel, which I've always thought seemed a wee bit far for a daytrip. <BR> <BR>With a week, I would recommend 2 daytrips -- three would be the very max but then I think you'd be depriving yourself of too much of the pleasure of Paris.

Has anyone ever visited the town of Senlis, north of Paris? I seem to recall reading that's a great little town.