Previous advice had suggested Provence but am trying to contrast that with some closer areas on the outskirts of Paris-=--Amiens, Alsace Lorraine area, Loire valley. How does one find out about bus transportation. I noticed in a posting from EAtienne that they seemed to have done much bus tripping.

Is there some reason you don't want to use trains? Bus service in France is maddening - dozens of small, private companies operating in different areas, very little info on the web, etc. But the train service is excellent.

Thanks for insight--will explore that--daughter took bus from Reims where she visited former exchange student to Troyes and had enjoyed the opportunity to see much of the countryside. We also had enjoyed several bus trips in Czech republic (afterg etting to the area in Southeastern CR by train). Thanks for tip on not much bus information

And I wouldn't consider Amiens, Alsace Lorraine or the Loire valley as the outskirts of Paris. Amiens is about an hour by train, but the others are much further away, and you'd on the road for a very long time to get there.

I agree that train travel would be better. I wonder if you've considered the RER (not certain of my appreviation)-- the extended metro which goes beyond the city proper. Somewhere I saw a brochure (before websites) that illustrated all the destinations within reach by that mode of transportation. They looked wonderful. Another thought, Chartres. Great cathedral, great town. (60 minutes) Or, yes, perhaps a Loire valley town not too far away. I think we're still talking a couple of hours.

http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/Pla_q/f_pla.htm

Try this!

Try this for RER and train travel in the Paris region

http://idf.sncf.fr/GB/default.htm

Thank you all--will explore sites to see what I can find about travel. Now wondering if we should spend the extra four or five days still based in Paris and taking train trips rather than trying to relocate and branch out from a new sight. Any thoughts. When we were in London several years ago an Australian couple stayed in the same lodging and were doing that--training out of London to various well known areas. Any thoughts