Planning a daytrip from Paris with my Lady Wife.

Picked up Troyes from another thread.

Planned a day's tour.

Have now fallen into the "Am I doing the right thing" trap.

Should we go to Dijon instead?

Please don't suggest anywhere else.

Thanks,

Ira

Ira, I can't comment on Troyes, as I haven't been there yet (would like to go). But I've been to Dijon, and liked it alot. I actually spent 2 nights there - one full day. There are some great museums and churches to see, and you can walk to everything from the train station. I went there right after arriving at CDG, and enjoyed the train ride (even though jet-lagged!). I think Dijon would be a fine place for a daytrip.

Actually, Ira, since you seem to go to France fairly often, you should plan to sometimes rent a car in Dijon, and tour around Burgundy. I did that (by myself), and absolutely LOVED it. I stayed for almost 2 weeks, and never got tired of it - it's beautiful, and not as crowded as some other popular parts of France (like Provence). At least October was wonderful. Anyway, this is not what you were asking - sorry!

thank you Sue for telling so many nice things about my lovely town.
Ira if you want to have a good look...
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=43499444733
and if you need more info just ask!
corinne

We visited Troyes a few years ago and thought it was a lovely place. I can't comment on Dijon, as we didn't call there. See:

http://www.tourisme-troyes.com/welcome/index.htm

Thanks guys.

Lovely photos, coco.

It looks like I can't go wrong either way.

Ira,

If you settle on Dijon, that most French of French cities, a good pre-trip read is the food writer M.F.K Fisher's delightful "Long Ago In France: The Years In Dijon."

Bon voyage et bon appetit!

I was in Dijon May '04 and Troyes May '02.

Especially for a day trip I'd pick Troyes. Its attributes are the compactness of it, several smaller museums to choose from, the cathedral and basilica are lovely and the collection of half-timbered houses in the old town is one of the best in France.

You could pick a museum or two to suit your taste. The one with the collection of antique tools, the one dedicated to fabric production, the fine arts that has an excellent selection of Marinot's, the very small pharmacy museum and the archeology museum. I think there's a modern art one too.

There are 3 outlet malls on the edge of town. I didn't go there as I'm not a shopper. If your spouse is a shopper you may or may not want to mention that depending upon what you want to do.

I believe this is the largest one:

www.marquesavenue.com/troyes/index.asp

The reason I'd not pick Dijon is that it is a much larger city. It's worthy of more than a day trip. For example if you go to Dijon's art museum it's huge. It's one of the largest, finest collections outside of Paris. You could easily spend an entire afternoon just visiting it.

Personally I didn't care for the feel of Dijon. It's more spread out with many small winding streets and tiny plazas. I never seemed to find a focal point where I could people watch much. Not nearly like the one main plaza in Troyes.

I thought it odd that in a city the size of Dijon there wasn't a big enough plaza to have a taxi stand. I didn't one in Place Emile, Hotel de Ville, Place St Bernard, Republic, etc. Well there was a taxi stand at the train station put that's not the focal point I'm usually looking for.

Thank you Indy,

Yes, Dave, that's why I was thinking of Dijon.

Ira,
Of all the places in all the world, and all the places in France, I would pick Dijon, or the suburbs of Dijon to live.
I first visited there during the day, and was intrigued by the compactness of the place, which is the opposite of what I have just read in the thread above. The town center is medieval and lovely, with passerelles, or walking streets filled with shops.
We stayed the second time for several days, and when we went down to the center of the town, we were enthralled by the beauty of the medieval streets that were lit up magnificently. It was a place that I had looked for for many years of travelling in France. The change from day to night was amazing. There were couples arm in arm, strolling at midnight and beyond, with nary a care re: crime or crowds. There were quaint little boîtes and clubs as well as restos and bistros. We fell in love with Dijon. To each his own.

Orval a big thank you for that! that's exactly why I love my town, well done
I agree with you, all the interesting parts are in a quite small perimeter, even if Dijon is a big town.
if you haven't seen that yet, to remind you of your trip there...
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=46730535733

corinne

oups! I picked up the wrong link...
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=43499444733

Dijon is a bigger town than Troyes and has more to see. But Troyes has its charms. If you go there, don't miss the tool museum. Le Bistroquet was pricey but with classic bistro food. It was the first time that I liked andouillette.

cocofromdijon,
What wonderful photos, and they not only bring back memories, but they have created new ones of things I had not seen in the city...
Beautiful pictures, especially the ones showing intricacies of architecture. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for the resto reco, Michael

Hi orval, I'm glad you liked my pictures! :->
I'm going to take more now the weather is really nice. I'll surely make another album outside Dijon with the landscape (wine yards, hills, forests, castles...) there are so many things to see!
Why don't you come back then, I'll be your guide and you'll be able to sleep in the bed you saw..
à bientôt peut être!
corinne

ttt