Exotic Day Trip from Paris?
Oct 13th, 2005, 09:02 AM
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Exotic Day Trip from Paris?
Hi. DH and I are looking for an easy day or 1/2 day trip from Paris to someplace new (to us) and beautiful. We've already visited Rouen, Normandy, Les Andelys, Chartres, Versailles, Vaux-le-vicomte, Fontainebleau, Barbizon. I considered Malmaison but decided to put that off until the roses are in bloom (we're going in November). Any recommendations? Transportation is not an issue. Thank you all very much!
Oct 13th, 2005, 10:10 AM
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Reims and/or Epernay
Reims world famous cathedral, other old churches, bustling regional town, WWII War Room left as is since Ike and Allies used it as headquarters for thrust into Germany, quaint canal and, of course Champagne tours thru fancy Champagne houses and mysterious underground storage caves - Mumms, Veuve-Cliquot, etc.
Epernay has more prestigios Champagne houses - the real center of Champagne industry it seems and is a nice regional town but offers little else. Trains to Reims from Paris often go thru Epernay so could combine the two.
Reims world famous cathedral, other old churches, bustling regional town, WWII War Room left as is since Ike and Allies used it as headquarters for thrust into Germany, quaint canal and, of course Champagne tours thru fancy Champagne houses and mysterious underground storage caves - Mumms, Veuve-Cliquot, etc.
Epernay has more prestigios Champagne houses - the real center of Champagne industry it seems and is a nice regional town but offers little else. Trains to Reims from Paris often go thru Epernay so could combine the two.
Oct 13th, 2005, 11:13 AM
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When you say transportation is not an issue, do you mean you'll have a private car? A private jet?
Anyway, a few options:
Angers (the chateau, the Maison du Vin, the Jardin des Plantes--even in November, it's still attractive--some nice restaurants)
Bourges--the old town, the Cathedral, interesting museums, off the usual tourist path
Dijon--a classy and classic French city
Bruges, Belgium--a long day trip, but still doable either on your own or escorted, beautiful any time of year, lots of cafes with fireplaces for warming up (all too rare in Paris, alas).
London (a full day, not a half day)
Anyway, a few options:
Angers (the chateau, the Maison du Vin, the Jardin des Plantes--even in November, it's still attractive--some nice restaurants)
Bourges--the old town, the Cathedral, interesting museums, off the usual tourist path
Dijon--a classy and classic French city
Bruges, Belgium--a long day trip, but still doable either on your own or escorted, beautiful any time of year, lots of cafes with fireplaces for warming up (all too rare in Paris, alas).
London (a full day, not a half day)
Oct 13th, 2005, 03:35 PM
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If I ever had the option of saying "cost no option", I think I would go to one of the Channel Islands (need a bit of research to remember which one might appeal to me more - - Guernsey?) - - I have a feeling that I will never get there otherwise.
There's a considerable effort to revive/resurrect Guernseyaise language, literature (and maybe song?) nowadays, if I recall correctly. Oh, the things I hear (and fail to remember entirely?) on NPR...
Best wishes,
Rex
There's a considerable effort to revive/resurrect Guernseyaise language, literature (and maybe song?) nowadays, if I recall correctly. Oh, the things I hear (and fail to remember entirely?) on NPR...
Best wishes,
Rex
Oct 13th, 2005, 04:13 PM
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Exotic? How's that? If you're thinking in that direction, however, maybe you'll want to head down south to the Cote d'Azur, specifically Nice, that would be my first choice, you can stroll the lovely seafront Promenade d'Anglais, visit the old quarter-"Vieux Nice" filled with baroque buildings, art galleries, sidewalk cafes and churches, have a wonderful seafood meal in a French bistro-there are a number of gardens, and also a renowned flower market, open every day-that should give you a sense of the Riviera life.
