Michael

Troyes is might be a good alternative. In addition to the cathedral, it has a nice old town and a very interesting museum of tools of the trade before the industrial revolution.

The first pictures in this set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7624529919999/

denisea

Oh, thanks Chutney....maybe Vaux is still a go. Was kinda wondering if any of the chateau would be decked out for Christmas. Still very inrtigued.

Michaels those are great photos! Christina, know what you mean about trying to catch Chartes on a sunny day. Makes a difference in how spectacular the stained glass appears.

Decisions, decisions.

rosetravels

We will be in Paris in December this year too and appreciate the ideas for day trips. Thanks for asking the question denisea!

FrenchMystiqueTours

rosetravels - You can look at this recent thread which covers many of the most popular day trips from Paris:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...from-paris.cfm

I recommended Troyes and Auxerre because the OP is visiting in December and some of the charming countryside places you could visit in the spring through fall don't have the flowers, foliage, or good weather to make them as worthy of a day trip in the winter. So perhaps a large town or small city is best in winter but it's really up to the individual.

denisea

FMT...thanks for your insight and for posting the link to the other thread. I know there will be valuable info on that, as well. This just ensures many more trips to Paris and one day in weather that will be great for a bike ride with FMT! I swear after this the next Paris trip will be in weather where at least Giverny will be open!

Ozgirl07

Hi Denise, I've been doing some research too I'll be in Paris around the same time for 7 days and thought it would be nice to do a day trip out of Paris. One of my options are Strasbourg - I blatantly confess to copying you.
The other one that I've been thinking about is Provins.
http://www.provins.net/index.php/english-version.html

I'd love to hear opinions about that one.....

Michael

Provins has little indoor space where one would want to spend time, like in a cathedral (Chartres, Troyes) or a museum. December might not be the best time to go there. Anyone going in that season should keep options over, and change destination according to the weather conditions.

denisea

No worries, Ozgirl...I only know Strasbourg from other posters, so we all copy other posters!

Provins looks nice but Michael may be right on this one.

I also will let my husband weigh in here. I am leaning towards Chartres but may wait to see how the weather will be. Still haven't ruled out Vaux...will have to see what Chaz is thinking. I start to get obssessed about all things related to my Paris trips so researching is always fun for me (and a great break from work stuff).

Ozgirl07

Definitely - Researching about my upcoming trip to Paris after an annoying conversation with a co-worker is how I turn my frown upsidedown

5alive

It has been a long time since I went to Chartres but it still remains one of my favorite places. I went in mid December and even though it was cloudy, the light was still beautiful inside from the stained glass.

I love the stories that the windows tell, as well as the gargoyles and grotesques outside. If you have a capable English tour guide, I would take it.

denisea

I hear ya Oz!

5alive...appreciate this feedback since your trip was in December. I haven't ever had anyone say anything bad about Chartres. The book I am reading explains the stories about the windows, which I wouldn't know. The author highly recommends Malcolm Miller's tour at Chartres.

Ozgirl07

Hi Denise,

I just saw this on viator
http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Ch...9-2050XMASVAUX

So for me VIV is on!

denisea

Well you have been researching Ozgirls! Hmmm...this does make it interesting as it would be a great way to spend Christmas. Wonder if the chateau is only open to Viator on Christmas Day. I may also check with Lisa Burros who runs a concierge service and may be able to get info. Will post what I find.

FrenchMystiqueTours

The Vaux website mentions the château is closed to the public on Christmas so this must be a special opening for the tour groups.

http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/useful-information

denisea

Well, I hate to let it go but I've decided to let the Vaux le Vicomte dream go for this trip. I am going to have to find a way to get to France when the weather is still warm and some flowers still in bloom. Then, I can finally see Giverny and Vaux le Vicomte.

I strongly considered the Viator Christmas Day Vaux tour but the reviews were not too positive.

So, Chartres it is. It has always been on the list of places I want to go. So many say it is THE cathedral and the best example of a Gothic cathedral. Looking forward to seeing the stained glass and seeing how much I can remember of the stories they tell.

adrienne

Before you choose a day for Chartres check with the TI to see if Malcolm Miller is giving tours. His are wonderful; he's been giving tours of the cathedral for perhaps 35+ years.

I did a tour to VleV with Paris Walks (bus tour) and loved it. The gardens are formal and, if I remember correctly, done by Le Notre who designed the Versailles gardens so they would look much the same as those at Versailles.

Here's a photo of what the Vaux gardens look like. Not a lot of flowers. Give me an English garden any time! Or Giverny.

http://tinyurl.com/mx3tzhf

denisea

Thanks adrienne....not sure about Malcolm in December but will check. I know he is renowned. But I think he may not give tours in December.

You are right that Le Notre designed the gardens at both Vaux and Versailles.

MaineGG

From the cathedral's website about Malcolm Miller's tours:

http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org/f...ticle-254.html

denisea

Thanks for the info...much appreciated.