any suggestions for daytrips besides versaille? we will probably use the train if possible.

Vaux-le-Vicomte. Do a key word search on this board and you should find lots of information about this day trip. Train to Melun and then taxi.

Auvers-sur-Oise. Use the same search method to gets lots of information.

Good luck.

Chartres; Brussels via Thalys. Would be easier to advise you if we knew what your particular interests are.

Fontainbleu. Lovely little town.

I have a pretty good file I can e mail.

Hi Jay,

You can do Bruges and back in a day.

Some very good recommendations here and it really depends on your interests. But the easiest to do by train are Chartres and then Fountainbleau. I agree with Sharon that the town of Fountainbleau is simply charming.

Another nearby chateau that you should consider is Chantilly (www.chateaudechantilly.com/). It's a beautiful chateau that contains an impressive museum collection of paintings. Take the RER D line from the Chatelet Las Halles station in Paris out to Gare de Chantilly Gouvieux (about 45min) then take a cab to the chateau (around 6 euros).

Another easy day trip would be to go out to the Basilique Saint Denis which was the burial site of St Denis the bishop of Paris who was beheaded in Montmarte. The basilica was the burial site for the kings and queens of France and still contains their tombs. Just take metro line 13 out to the end of the line at the Basilique Saint Denis station.

Outstanding Gothic cathedrals in Amiens, Beauvais, Laon and Reims!

Giverny to see Monet's gardens.