Advice on day trips out of Paris
 

Hello-
I'll be in Paris next week on my own and I'm considering a day trip by train somewhere outside of Paris.
My first thought was to rent a car and drive to the Normandy beaches, but I don't want to spend the night out there and the rental agencies open too late to do the trip in one day and not have to park the car in Paris. I will not drive in Paris, either.
My current thought is too take the TGV to Avignon or Aix for a change of scene and weather. I've found a schedule that works, I'm just not familiar with either city and would like to know one needs a car to get around. I'll just be there for the day- maybe just to eat and explore a little, then head back to Paris in the evening.
Can anyone offer advice on getting around Avignon or Aix-en-Provence without a car?
Merci,
Emilie

It would seem to me that you would be on the train for 5-6 hours of the day (going out and back)...
There are many nice places for a day-trip that would be closer to Paris, accessible by train, and would allow you much more time to enjoy during the visit. We went to Rouen last September and meandered around the medieval center.. someone recently posted about visiting either Troyes or Provins, I forget which (they're close together). You might even be able to string together TGV to Amboise (town & chateau), over to Blois (town & chateau), then return to Paris.

You can easily get around Avignon or Aix without a car. The main parts of their cities are within walking distance of the train station. I'd give a priority to Avignon, probably -- it's closer if for no other reason, although I really like their small Renaissance art museum (Petit Palais) near the palace.

It is true the train to Avignon is maybe 2.5 hours, but I don't think that's so bad for a day trip to a place that's really worth seeing, and Avignon is wellknown and historically important.

I think it's probably easier to visit Avignon for a day trip than do Normandy well. YOu might think of Lyon, also, which is before Avignon so only 2 hrs one way.

Try a short ride south to Fontainebleu (palace) and Barbizon (artsy)..or drive a short distance northeast to Chantilly...or better yet, take the 50-minute train ride north to Vernon, then five minute bus ride to Monet's Giverny...absolutely magnificent. Now you have three easy choices. Train to Vernon (Giverny) is at Gare du Nord. Enjoy!(I didn't mention Versailles to the west...not among my favorites)
Stu T.

My partner and i took a day trip to Lyon from Paris a few years ago. It was not a bad train ride(TGV). The city has a wonderful old town sandwiched between the river and a bluff, and an envigorating hike up the bluff to the cathedral gives you a great view of the city. You can sit in the roman amphitheater and just enjoy the view. It is an easily walkable city. We enjoyed it!
Rich

Thanks for the advice! I realize it's a lot of time on the train, but at home I drive that long to visit my best friend, so it doesn't seem bad to get to see Avignon!
I considered Giverny, but the gardens aren't open in January. I've seen the chateaux and Versailles before and they were a bit gaudy for my taste.
Thanks again- and more ideas are welcome!

Senlis is a lovely small town with cobblestoned streets and a well-protected ensemble of 17th-19th century archtiecture an hour and a half from Paris by train and SCNF bus. And Honfleur, in Normandy is a great walking town with over-the-top charm, about two hours and a half by train and bus.

Hi E,

Other places worth visiting less than 2 hr by train from Paris:

Dijon, Troyes, Auxerre

((I))

I thought the Avignon TGV station was NOT in the center of town...are there frequent buses, taxis or commuter train services from the TGV station?
If you don't mind that train journey, go for it. It's certainly no more difficult than doing a day trip to London from Paris (or vice versa) and many Fodorites have done that.
Angers is also an easy day trip from Paris; the weather is usually milder there than in Paris (although it's not South of France weather in January, it's also not Mistral weather). Lovely town with plenty to see and do; great inexpensive restaurants--a three course lunch with wine and coffee should set you back less than 20 euro.

I made my decision booked and printed a ticket on the TGV to Aix-en-Provence because I've never been there and found some reviews of restaurants there that just about made me drool. :-P
It's supposed to be sunny the day I'm there, too, which will be lovely!

As far as I can recall there is no TGV to Aix..only to Avignon or Marseille. Please check it out, otherwise, you may be in for a much longer ride. There might be a local from Avignon or Marse. Dunno.
Stu T.

Hi Tower,

There is a TGV to Aix-en-Provence. It stops at its own station, however.

((I))

The TGV station is west of town, but there are shuttles into the city center.