Day Trips from Paris
 

Any suggestions for day trips outside of Paris; to be more specific, outside of France? We're thinking of travel by train; how long to Brussels?...to Luxembourg?

We've also never been to Lille or Lyon.

What would Fodorites suggest; we love walking around, cafes, shopping, historic sites...not big on art galleries.

And yes, I know that Lille and Lyon are in France.

Two questions: have you been to Paris before, and how long will you be there?

My opinion, if you are there for a week or less, I would not go for any distant day trips (i.e. could possibly go to Reims, Versailles,etc.. if really wanted to go somewhere).

I've been to Lyons and really liked it, but I spent 3-4 days there.

Here's the website for France trains. It's helpful for research to see how long of a ride it is from one place to the next. If it isn't in English, look for the British flag and click it.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com

Have you thought of Bruges? 2 1/2 hours by train from Paris.

There are several books of walking tours of Paris, I like doing that - kind of wandering with a purpose.

Thanks to you both for your quick response. To Michel Paris; Yes, I've been to Paris 9 or 10 times but never tire of walking to familiar places. We'll be in the Loire Valley for a week and on the Riviera for a week and in Paris about 1 1/2 weeks. Been to Versailles twice (and plan to go again) and to Disney Paris and to Fontainbleu.

To cis2paris; Never been to Bruges. Yes, have done many walking tours of Paris.

I see on the Strasbourg city website (www.strasbourg.fr/Strasbourgfr/GB/TGV+Est) that TGV service is starting June 10, which will make the one way trip from Paris just 2 hours and 20 minutes. That would make a nice little day trip.