Have just 7 days in Paris before leaving for Bologna. Is a Paris daytrip advisable? Where?<BR>I'll reprt back.

I haven't been to Chartres, but I would definately recommend Reims -- great Cathedral, champagne tours, ancient roman ruins, good shopping, WWII historical sites etc. And its only about an hours train ride from Paris.<BR>PS--I'm assuming you know the pronociation of Reims is closer to RANCE<BR>with a hard, nasal R (I found out the hard way!)

topping--I need to hear more, please.

The trip to Chartres is an easy 30 minute train trip from Gare Montparnasse. Trains depart and arrive frequently. The cathedral is worth a visit even if you have seen hundreds of other cathedrals. It is very special, and the tour by Malcolm Miller, the Englishman, is formidable! Reims is also interesting and offers more things to do and see but would not be as relaxing and easy as Chartres, in my opinion. If you go to Chartres, try to have lunch at the Buisson ardent, one of the best restaurants in France.

I agree re: Chartres -- the train ride through the fields of Beauce is restful -- I believe it takes closer to an hour.<BR><BR>Another place I've been trying to get to is Rouen which combines churches, medieval timbered buildings. decent museums and good food

We really enjoyed the 2 days we stayed in Reims, but I think it is a reach for a day trip from Paris.

Just got bac from Paris and did a day trip to Reims and Epernay. The cathedral in Reims is closed this time of year as we found out, but the champagne tours were wonderful. Especially the Pommery. You must take a train (we were unable to because of a train strike) because it is horribly expensive by taxi or private car.

Weather permitting, after visiting the cathedral in Chartres, you might just walk around the neighborhood behind the cathedral - some fascinating old, old architecture.

I haven't been to Reims but have been to Chartres and Rouen. The Chartres cathedral was wonderful but so much better if you get Malcom Miller's tour and be sure to take binoculars to be able to see the stained glass windows up close and follow the story he tells. If I had to choose I would recommend Rouen - has 3 great cathedrals, many half-timbered buildings, a walk along the quay, several museums and a great all day trip. Takes about 1 hour or less to get there. If you would like a description of my day trip there, please e-mail me directly.

Last june we visited both. The cathedrals are each worth a visit and leave little to choose between them. Chartres is a more pleasant city, Rheims has the champagne caves and Basilique st. Remi. My choice between the two would be Rheims because it allows the opportunity to visit Epernay and Hautvilliers ( home of Dom Perignon). If you want a less taxing day trip then choose Chartres. Have fun!

Would someone please explain what the &quot;Malcolm Miller tou&quot; is. thanks

It is a tour of Chartres cathedral by a guy named &quot;Malcolm Miller&quot;. <BR><BR>He's a well-known expert on the church (having studied it for years), has written a couple books on it and has been giving tours there for many years.

We went to Chartres for a day and had a great time. Be sure to visit the older part of the city of the city behind and down from the cathedral - we spent a lot of time wandering the streets there and having lunch. That's not to take away from the cathedral - it lives up to it's reputation.

how does one arrange to take a Malcolm Miller tour at chartres?

If you go to Chartres be sure to see the garden and house of La Picassiette.<BR>YOu can take a taxi there and walk back -perhpas through the cemetery - with the Cathedral as guide post. For simple and heartfelt piety this fascinating place puts to shame the grandiose gestures of those who have filled the Cathedral with monuments. There is a little train that drives along the Eure and through the older part of the city. You can get off where you please and it's useful if you have limited time.<BR>There is a wonderful cake shop near the station too ...

Not sure if you can find a published schedule for Malcolm Miller's tours, but I believe he does 2 different ones most days. You just show up at the cathedral at the appointed time and pay him at the beginning.<BR>You could train into Chartres, check the schedule at the cathedral, and adjust your other sightseeing in Chartres around that.<BR>There might be a website, if someone knows they will post it...