ThatBayHorse

I am going to Paris in two weeks. My friend lives outside of Paris 45 minutes in Saint Marcel. One day, we are going to Deauville on the northern coast. I then plan on spending maybe 2 days doing things around her place. I have approximately 3-4 days in the middle of the week where I will be travel by myself before returning to Paris for the next weekend.

I am trying to decide between bopping along the northern coast and maybe hitting up the Channel Islands or trying to fit in a trip to southern France (I would really like to see Lascaux Caves and the Wolf Sanctuary), but I'm not sure if I will allow enough days.

Basically just looking for suggestions of fellow travelers and where they would go out from Paris for 3-4 days. I don't speak French, unfortunately. I am 28 years old, and female who will be traveling by myself. I also will be bringing my horseback riding clothes along, so if anyone has any equestrian recommendations, that would be great as well!

Thanks in advance!!

ira

Hi TB,

Since you'll be in the Normandy/Brittany area I suggest that you stay there and visit.

Enjoy your visit.

TDudette

If it's your first visit, I'd spend them in Paris!

AndrewLondon

I agree with TD. So much to see in Paris and easy as a single English only speaker. As a horse person you should visit the Hermes shop on rue du Faubourg St Honore; dress smart and look like Scarlett Johansson and the sales clerks won't be too rude to you. It's an experience.
The accorhotel.com site is good for cheap rooms.

StCirq

You don't really have time to head south. And for Lascaux you need a car. I imagine you do for Les Loups de Chabrières as well, though there is a train station in Gueret. There is more than enough to keep you busy in Paris and Normandy and your friend's house. Save the south for another trip.

Rastaguytoday

Try Le Mont-St-Michel for a great place to spend the night. After the tourists go, the place is almost deserted. Watch the tide come in. Walk the ramparts. MSM is lit at night so it really is a lovely walk.

http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/index.htm?lang=en

St. Malo is a lovely walled city on the coast. It's not far from MSM and an easy day trip there and back from MSM.

tailsock

another vote to stay in Paris....especially since you don't speak any French. better chance you'll run into someone that speaks at least some English in a big city. There's a ton to keep you occupied and there's no stress over having to rent a car or read French signs

nytraveler

I wouldn;t drag your riding things - esp boots - with you to France unless you know yuo will be riding. I wasn;t aware there was any place in paris to ride but found this:

http://guiriguidetoparis.com/2011/03...ding-in-paris/

Have no idea if any good - and looks like very limited space.

FrenchMystiqueTours

If you really want to horseback ride there are many equestrian centers in France where you can hire a horse for the day and ride. You can usually find out about these places on tourist office websites. I see you are staying just outside Vernon in Saint-Marcel. The Vernon tourist office website lists some places where you can hire a horse and go horseback riding in the area:

http://www.vernon-visite.org/rgb2/leisures4.htm

These places are outside town and you'll need to take a taxi or rent a bike to reach them, but they do exist. Here's some other info about horseback riding in Normandy. Some of the info is only in French but you can use google translate:

http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/nor...ing-152-2.html

This next link will show you where there are equestrian centers near you in Saint-Marcel:

http://chevalnormandie.com/clubs-tourisme.php?dpt=eure

Here's a pdf (in French) with info about horse trails and equestrian centers in Normandy.

http://www.chevaux-haute-normandie.c...andie-2011.pdf

Here are links to companies in Normandy that organizes 2-3 day long horse vacations, or rent by the day:

http://www.rideinfrance.com/Rides/normandy.htm

http://www.lesgallops.com/

http://www.beauconniere.com/?page_id=6

And some general info (in English):

http://normandy.angloinfo.com/af/315...nd-riding.html

Maria_G

I agree, I'd stay in Paris, but if you're going north, I wouldn't miss Honfleur. One night on Mont St. Michel is magical, but you don't really need more than that.