Day trip outside Paris
 

We are going to be in Paris in October for a week. We'd like to take a day trip outside Paris: I thought of renting a car and having a nice drive with a picnic. Does anyone know if there are any logistical complexities with renting a car (we are staying in the A 6) and/or could suggest a nice, romantic drive around Paris.
Thank you in advance.

Hi Z,

You don't want to drive IN Paris.

When in October?

((I))

Thank you. October 18th to 27th. I just wanted to rent the car in Paris and drive it to the countryside.

Driving is awful in Paris so take the train to the airport to pick up the car.
You could also take a day trip by train. I went to Brussels on one trip in Paris.

Hi Z,

Mid to late Oct is getting chilly (maybe).

How about packing a and going to Chateau Malmaison and picknicking in the Park? Open from 10:00 to 18:00.

Take RER Line A to Grande Arche de la Défense and bus no. 258 to the Chateau.

Take a picnic to Pere LaChaise Cemetery.

Also see http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...s_parks2.shtml

((I))

I would agree. I have rented a car in downtown Paris at the start of a trip to the South, and if I had to do it again, I would have rented either at CDG, or taken a TGV in the general direction. Traffic can be intense, and finding your way out of the 6th out a major artery can be tricky. Can it be done? Of Course...but the question is shoud it be done, if only for a day trip..My recommendation is to decide on the location (Versailles, Chenonceau, Rheims...etc...) then take an easy train ride out and back. That way your day is spent enjoying the countryside and not "what's the next turn...wait, it's a one way...loop back...." There are several locations in Paris that will prepare a food basket for you, then go to a Nicolas for a bottle of wine...and off you go.
Mike

One consideration about renting a car for just one day is the cost--check out the autoeurope.com web site and you'll see what I mean.

Instead of driving, take your picnic to the bucolic Bois de Boulogne at the edge of Paris.

Try Saint-Germain-En-Laye (not to be confused with St Germain the 6th arr.) to the west of Paris. Most of the suburbs in the west are very high-end and nice. You can also get there by RER A.

My friend drove me around the suburbs once and it was beautiful. I felt like I was in a different part of France. Having said this, I did NOT drive and of course did not experience the crazy driving in downtown Paris.

Daytrips I've done from Paris:

Mont St. Michel - it's a bit of a drive, but it is spectacular. You can read about it here:

http://www.mont-saint-michel.net/

Another day trip I have done is Giverny:

http://giverny.org/

Thank you all so very much, these are very helpful and really great suggestions. Now I have some wonderful leads!