2nd time in Paris - where to go as side trips?
 

Hi,

We will be returning to Paris for 10 days in mid-April and are considering a couple of side trips.

One option would be to take a day or 2 in Bruges and another day or 2 in London, with remaining time spent in Paris. We were thinking of leaving directly from the airport upon arrival and then returning to Paris.

Another option we've considered in a day or 2 in Provence and then perhaps the same in Burgundy.

We have been to Giverney and Versailles on our last 10 day trip to Paris.

We are open to any ideas!

Chartres for the Cathedral, Reims for the Cathedral and champagne cellars, Fontainebleau for the castle, Vaux-le-Vicomte for the castle and grounds, Auvers sur Oise if you like Van Gogh, Loire Valley (best by car)...

If you do a search, there are quite a few posts here for Paris day trips.

Here's a thread from earlier this month (Jan 09) with lots of ideas for Paris day trips:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35176397

I think it just depends on what appeals to you. There is always Alsace and the Loire, also (in addition to Provence or Burgundy).

And then you'd have to judge how much you want to visit London, that is certainly convenient enough and I could see doing that.

I would pick one place, probably, and not do all these one or two day trips to totally different places -- by that, I mean I would not try to do both Provence and Burgundy in addition to Paris. Provence or Burgundy, sure (and that Provence part would be quite abbreviated, but sure, you could do that for five days and Paris for five days).

Hi tat,

Bruges is a nice overnight from Paris,

You should plan on 3-4 days for Alsace, Provence, Burgundy, Normandy or Bordeaux.

((I))

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! So much to see and so little time that it's a tough decision!

I've enjoyed Chartres and Fontainebleau (which I prefered to Versailles)

I haven't done this myself but I think Lille would make a really nice daytrip, to visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts especially.

Any of your options would be nice and I think you will enjoy whatever you choose. I love London with all the theaters, architecture & history. Provence is beautiful. However, I would pick Bruges because it is so charming and an interesting contrast to Paris.

Bruges has an interesting history. The architecture is beautiful. There are several pieces of great art. The canals are pretty. You can bike around and see windmills, canals & flowers. The food is good. You might take in a concert or go on market day when the square is filled with fruits & flowers. People are very nice. Hotels are reasonably priced.

It will be a very different experience than Paris or another big city like London.

Hi,

Thank you for the information on Bruges - it sounds lovely!

A day trip that you can easily take by train from Paris is Mont St. Michelle. You can book your own train travel, no need for a guided tour, since there are free on site tours in multiple languages.