My wife and I will be flying in to Paris at the end of May and will be there for 5 days. We have visited paris twice before and would like, this time around, to spend three days outside of Paris. Would we be better off using Paris as our base and do day trips ... or move around for the three days staying at different hotels. What are some of the recommended day trips that some of you have? Thanks, Dan

My favorite day trip was to Rouen - 3 great cathedrals, easy to walk much of the city (old town, river, a few museums). I have my diary of that day if you're interested - [email protected]

For only 5 days, I'd stay in Paris and day trip. You can visit Chartes or Chantilly - all easy day trips. The trouble with moving cities is that you're continually packing.

I love Fontainebleu. It is a wonderfully historical site especially if you like Napoleon like I do. Plus the town is quite charming.

You might try to find a copy of Annabel Simms;, An hour from Paris. It is an excellent guide to short day trips.

Check into Provins. It has a strong medieval atmosphere and is uncluttered with modern day buildings

Thanks for the advise. I would love to see your diary of Rouen, Nancy.

If you've already been to Paris twice before you might want to spend just a couple of nights there catching up and then spend the other 3 nights in another area of France.

Good options for something different - take the high speed train to Strasbourg and explore that area of France.

Or rent a car and spend several days seeing the chateaux of the Loire - and even stay in one if you're so inclined.

I agree with Avalon's response. "An Hour from Paris" is a great book and Provins is one of my favorite day trip destinations.

I would suggest staying in Paris and doing day trips.

While staying in Paris for 5 days last October, we took a day trip to Reims. We walked throughout the town, saw the cathedral, had lunch & took a local bus to the Veuve Clicquot cellars (several glasses of champagne enjoyed there!). We were back in Paris in time for dinner (I believe the train ride was 45 minutes).

With such a short stay in Paris, I prefer to take day trips.


-Roberta

Would recommend Chartres (to see the cathedral) and Versailles (to see the palace) for day trips.

Hi RH,

If you have only 5 days, and 3 of them will be outside Paris, have you considered going somewhere else?

A: Fly into Paris, take the 12:54 TGV to Strasbourg - 4 nights. Daytrip to Nancy and another to Colmar.

You could als rent a car and stay in one of the towns along the wine route.

Train back to Paris - 1 night, fly home.

B: Take the train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon or Beuane - 4 nights. Rent a car and see Burgundy.

Train back to Paris - 1 night, fly home.

C: Take the TGV from Paris Lyon to Avignon or Lyon. Do as above.

D: Take 3 daytrips from Paris.

Enjoy your visit.

As others have mentioned Strasbourg is now only a short train ride away (2 1/2 hours). If you're going on your own, you will want to at least stay the night there. It's a very easy city to get around. A boat ride through the city is a must. For one great meal, I recommend Maison des Tanneurs for onion tart and Coq au Reisling, both Alsatian specialties.

I also recommend Strasbourg!

ira has a good point about considering to Avignon via Lyon. You could even consider Aix-en-Provence and exploring some of the southern regions. But this would really depend on how you plan the trip...since you only have 5 days.

Bon voyage!

bookmarking

We really appreciae all of the suggestions .... we are reading about all the recommended sights to formulate a plan. Thanks

Giverny was wonderful. And the roses in Monet's garden will be in bloom. Easy train ride and perfect day.

Also Verseilles is beautiful day trip. You can even canoe around the lake after visiting the palace.

We spent a wonderful day visiting the Loire Valley south of Paris with a guide from Paris Vision (http://en.parisvision.com/). We also spent a day at Versailles and a half day at Giverny. We wished we'd had time to go to Normandy. Next time!

I found the Unesco World Heritage town of Provins to be an excellent daytrip from Paris - perfectly easy by train. If you've been to Paris before I would definatly do a side trip.

I also found Amboise to be a good daytrip - if you get an early start.

Have fun,

Naxos

Don't know if you drive but we don't. Took Citirama tours to 1) Loire Valley Chateaux and 2) Brugges and enjoyed both very much.

Another vote for Chartres, Versailles and Rouen.