What's the best day trip to take from Paris? Been to Versailles already.

We loved Chartres. "The purest example of High Gothic architecture," according to my Art History professor. We did the bus trip in 1/2 a day easily.

Second for Chartres.

Also, Chantilly and Giverny.

And Vaux-le-Vicomte and Auvers-sur-Oise

try Fontainebleau

Dual attraction of a superb chateau and a large forest with extensive walking and rock climbing opportunities.

did the epernay trip for 2/3 day and drank champagne for 3 hours (all free), toured two champagne house caves, great lunch, toured the small town and back to our paris hotel by mid-afternoon. train ride was extremely easy--almost empty train with no one on our car both ways.

My favorite is Rouen. Has 3 cathedrals, water front, museums, half-timbered buildings, clock tower, etc. If you'd care I can email my trip diary of that day. [email protected]

Philips: Which Champagne houses did you tour and where was your great lunch? Thanks.

Agree with St. Cirq. If you are an art lover Auvers-sur-Oise is a must. Vincent Van Gogh is buried there with his brother, Theo. I was astonished to learn that Theo was only 34 when he died. He had nobly tried to help his brother out of his mental problems. Also in Auvers is the room Van Gogh died in; Dr. Gachet's house.

It took us about an hour to get there on a Sunday. You probably would do better during the week. One caution, with the heat, try and schedule your train trip to pick up the little shuttle train that goes to Auvers. There were only hourly departures and we missed one. Cabs non-existent. (Heat is ghastly in France this year.)

Good luck.