Emily Rosenberg

HI <BR>We are travelling to Paris at the end of September and want to spend 3 days outside the City. We would like to be within a 3 hour train ride, be able to do some nice walks or hiking, see some historical sites and 'real' villages of France. There seem to be so many options we are having trouble narrowing it down! Thanks.

Randy

Emily: You might try Saint-Paul de Vence near Nice. There is a very nice hotel there, Le Saint-Paul, a four star. Tel. 04 93 32 65 25 Fax. 04 93 32 52 94, e-mail: [email protected] Saint Paul is a old small walled village and just walking through the narrow streets is a pleasure. I also have a friend there, Sylvie & Franck, who have a tour business you might be interested in that could drive you around other areas of Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, etc. There web site is: <BR>http://www.provencerivieratours.com/ I was there about two years ago at the same time of year and it is beautiful. If there are questions, please feel free to e-mail me. <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!

grasshopper

Lyon! Would be a great side trip and it's 2 hours by TGV.

Rex

I'm not sure I can totally narrow it down for you; let me throw out three possibilities (two could be hybridized) <BR> <BR>1. Vernon/Gisors/Les Andelys - - and of course, Giverny. The first three are not at all touristy - - and are "real" small towns in Haute Normandie (if not exactly villages per se) - - non-touristy enough that I can't actually recommend a place to stay there ('cause I don't know any personally - - not because there aren't any - - I spent three weeks with a family in this region). Other "attractions" nearby include Chateau Boury, Roche-Guyon and the Abbey at MorteMer. I think you could hike all over the place in any of a dozen places in this area, especially the hill(s) aurrounding Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys. <BR> <BR>2. Chartres - - and any of several itineraries in the various directions out from there. If this is your choice, consider http://www.chateaudejonvilliers.com/ as your "base camp". I have never actually stayed at this place, but it looks ideal and I would love to hear a firsthand report! This also works with at least parts of the first itinerary. Unfortunately, I can't name any little villages based on specific personal experience here, except for St. Martin de Nigelles (near Maintenon, worthwhile in its own right) - - see also nearby http://www.jardins-de-france.com/jar...x/indexGB.html (also listed on the jonvilliers site, along with a brief reference to the Chateau de Maintenon). <BR> <BR>and <BR> <BR>3. Berry/Sancerre/the Sologne region - - this is a place I have never been at all - - but described so wonderfully, in the two following threads here - - by "Ess"; make sure and read slo the www.nytimes.com "Choice Tables" piece cited there (and also listed below) <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...messagesframe& <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...messagesframe& <BR> <BR>and <BR> <BR>http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/08/travel/08TAB.html <BR> <BR>I know this only makes your choices harder - - but on a positive note, I don't think that any of the three will be a bad choice. I'm sure you will get advice about the Champagne and Burgundy regions as well. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Leslie

Here's my two cents worth ... hop the train to the Loire Valley, rent a car and leisurely see the many chateaux. By the way, some of the chateaux have accommodations. <BR> <BR>Leslie

Leslie

Would you consider renting a car and driving? I you are only going for an overnight (2 days one night) then I can see going from Paris by train and back, staying in just one place and sight seeing. But if you really mean to go for two or three nights and want to see more than several villages, then I can't make sense of using the train. Here's a three day itinerary that worked very well for me an my husband with a car rental: <BR> <BR>Morning drive to Chartre - Afternoon arrival in Tours. Overnight stay. <BR>Second night in Blois, a lovely small city with its own Chateau. Visited the Chateau in this area: Chenonceaux, Chaumont, Chambord. Visited Amboise, a lovely small town, and the nearby Clos Luce (home of Leonardo Da Vinci - fascinating museum there too).. Then on to Fountainbleu for an overnight and visit to the Palace there. Then to CDG for flight home.