Challenge: Top 5 Weekend Getaways from Paris
 

We are in the final 6 months of our year-long stay and want to make sure we have maximized our time here not only in the city of Paris but in the neighboring countryside and other countries. <BR> <BR>The challenge is to give us your reccomendations of Top 5 Weekend Trips starting from Paris. Preferably, use either auto or rail but air is acceptable. And, if there is a hotel or B&B of note, please include name & location. <BR> <BR>We encourage you all to brainstorm and be creative and fun. Destinations off the beaten path receive double credit!! The reward for your efforts is nothing but our thanks and maybe the confidence that it's for the greater good that you reveal all!!! <BR> <BR>Thanks. Stephanie. <BR> <BR>

Ste. Michelle in Brittany is a must, maybe combined with a normandy day--or maybe that's too much and the two trips should be split---tour area and the Loire chateaux (maybe staying in Amboise?) is unforgetable---I think you can take a fast train to avignon, which is a great town--true foodies would require you to go to Lyons----

Belfast. <BR> <BR>Also, make sure you go to at least one French league soccer match while you're there. Paris-St. Germane (I'm sure I'm butchering the spelling) would be a good choice.

Vezelay - Church, L'Esperance - 2 hours from Paris, and just perfect for Saturday/Sunday?

Drive via Champagne to Alsace and the wine route. If you can overnight, try Colmar. A whole other part of France.

Netherlands - Maastricht <BR> <BR>Aquitaine - St Emilion, Perigeuex, or any of the bastides <BR> <BR>Catalan - Collioures, Banyuls, Perpignan, even into Figueres (Spain)

I've visited many places in France that I really enjoyed, but two of the places I enjoyed the most were Mont St. Michele and Monet's home, Giverny. We drove to St. Michele and stopped at Giverny on the way. I did this trip in the summer and I'm sure that Monet's gardens would be much prettier in the spring than they are now. <BR> You've probably already visited the Loire valley and the chateaux, but if you haven't, you should definitely take a long week-end and do that. I also did a day trip from Paris to the champagne country. I visited one of the wine caves in Epernay and found that enjoyable and interesting. And finally if you haven't spent time in Provence, please do before you leave. There are so many beautiful little small towns to visit. I've used Arles and Aix-en-Provence as bases and done day trips out by car. Epernay is a day trip from Paris, Giverny and Mont St. Michele are a good week-end trip, the Loire Valley deserves a long week-end at least and Provence a week (or more if you have it). Hope these suggestions help.