I'll take my first trip to Paris in February. Should I devote one day to Chartres, which is rated quite highly by this site? Or should I stay in Paris for a first timer? Thank you very much for your opinions.

Chartres is only an hour by train from the Montparnasse station and [I am assured] a short 10 minute walk from the Chartres station. You could do it by yourself leaving early in the morning and get back in the mid-afternoon and still fit in a museum before dinner. <BR>You could also take a Cityrama or ParisVision bus tour. You'll have the disadvantage of all bus tours, but the advantage of doing it in one day. Me? I'd go for it. Chartes is breathtaking, especially on a sunny day.

I suggest that you make a list of your top attractions in Paris before going on a trip out of town. We were in Paris 5 days and took one day to go to Giverny and one to go to Versailles. We went long and hard each day, and still failed to see the list of top tier Paris attractions. In the length of time you have, you must weigh the value of Chartres against what is in Paris and ask yourself "Which do I want to see the most?"

Thank you so much for your responses. I will make all efforts to see main attraction (although I am a little bit concerned if some will be closed for repairs due to hurricane), but I would also like to see a small town (not just a church or a square), ancient and charming. Paris is a big city, and it would be nice to see something country-like and relaxing for a change and ultimate european small-town feel. The question is whether Chartres as a town is worth a visit, compared to, for example, a day spent walking down Champs Elysees. Thank you for your insight.

Chartres is a very pretty small town; I caught a flea market in the center square when I was there (the French have really tacky stuff, just like Americans). <BR>If you want a 'small town', stay in Paris. There are neighborhoods with small town feel: The 'villages' in the 20th; the Ile St Louis (there are residents who have never left the island - they consider the rest of Paris another world); the Place Dauphine at the western end of the Ile de la Cite; the 'burbs Passy and Issy (just follow the Seine westward). <BR>Bob Brown's suggestion to make a list of what you want to see is excellent; no matter what, you won't see everything in four days. Chartres is what I call Tier-2; that is, a place to visit AFTER you've seen the majority of stuff in Paris. You can visit Chartres Cathedral in 3 1/2 hours (leave 8:30 am, you're back by noon); you don't need a whole day. Add a couple of hours to wander the town, and you're back by 2:00. <BR>My advice is to stick to Paris for your four days and vow to come back again to do the rest (2 dozen trips to Paris, and *I* still haven't seen everything).

Yes, definitely visit Chartres. Possibly the most stunning cathedral in the world, looming over the surrounding plain. <BR> <BR>Anyway, France is not Paris. You'd love to see some of the pretty stuff. and there's a great restaurant near hte cathedral. What was it called again...

Mark -- my advice is repetitious to some of the above, but I would say stay in Paris. I've now been there 4 times, about 8 days in Paris itself each time, and still have so much I haven't gotten to! The city is truly amazing: some parts feel like a huge city, but much of it is so "neighborhood" that you're amazed to turn a corner and discover the big city again! <BR>I would also second the recommendation about the Ile St Louis (just behind Notre Dame) -- my 2nd trip we stayed on the Island for 8 days(either Deux Iles or Lutece, sister hotels and I can't recall which one we were in.) By the 2nd morning, shopkeepers were recognizing us with pleasant greetings, some lovely little restaurants became our favorites by week's end, truly felt that we were "home". <BR>Chartres is lovely and magnificent, but I'd say save it for a later trip. The 4 days will pass much too quickly!

I second the advice to make a list of all you want to see and do while you're there. You definitely won't be able to do all of it. As mentioned, because Chartres is only an hour away, it's easily do-able on a four day trip. No way you'll want to spend a day walking down the Champs Elysee. Just to be sure, you could always start by the Louvre Pyramids early one morning, walk through the Jardins des Tuileries and on down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. This should take between a half hour and an hour, depending upon how fast you walk. Along the way, you could shop, sit in a sidewalk cafe (if the weather permits). Then, hop on the metro to the train station and off to Chartres for the rest of the day. Or, you could get back to Paris in time for dinner. I haven't been to Chartres (it's on my list for next time), but I'd bet anyone who's been to both would pick Chartres over devoting a day to the Champs Elysees without another thought!

I agree with Donna. Do look down the Champs Elysee to see the arch, but if you want the experience of walking it try to block out the tacky stores along it.

I just wanted to thank everybody for sharing your valuable thoughts and recomendations with me. This forum certainly provides a wealth of information even without posting a question, but simply running a search. But it is nice to get personal attention. Thanks again. It looks like I will have to decide on the spot, depending on what Paris will feel like to me when I arrive. If I will be overwhelmed by a "big city" feel, then I will go to Chartres for at least half a day, if I will be able to find small charming places, streets, squares everywhere I go - then I will stay in the city.

If a French friend were coming to America for the first time, and wanted to experience "America," but were staying in New York City, I would insist on a day trip somewhere less cosmopolitan. NYC is my home and I love it, but "America" it's not. If, however, my friend just wanted a "small town feel" I'd recommend neighborhoods in the big city. So basically I'm repeating what others have already said. There's more than enough in Paris to occupy you, including "small town" neighborhoods and cathedrals, Gothic and otherwise. But, as NYC is not America, Paris is not France. I've been to Paris several times, and Chartres, which I loved and highly recommend, is in fact the only other place I've been in that country. While for me Paris with all its attractions was the main priority, I can't wait to get back and see some real "France" the next time I go. So if you need a break from the bustle, follow Elvira's suggestions. If you want to see "France," make the day trip.

I went to Chartres and Versailles during a 6 1/2 day stay. Chartres is quite magical, and the old town is very quaint and nice for a stroll. It is different from Paris, but Elvira made a good point about Paris neighborhoods. I found the Ile-St-Louis very charming first thing in the morning. If I were you, I would make a list as Bob suggested and decide what is most important. It may be that Chartres is that important to you. It's certainly not time consuming to go see it. The one thing to consider about going in February is that your daylight is fairly short, so your outdoor sightseeing will be affected. I would try to see museums in the evening as much as possible to maximize the sunlight. I don't know what days of the weeks you will be there, but the Musee d'Orsay is generally open late on Thursdays. My own inclination, as much as I loved Chartres Cathedral, would be to save it for another trip. However, Versailles would be a must for me even with four days. Don't know how much damage you will find there though, since the storm hit it pretty hard. There are few places in the world with more to occupy your time than Paris.

Well, I received lots of good advices, and based on your input I did come up with a list of things I want to do. I arrive around 8 in the morning, I will take the shuttle to my hotel and will have to wait until 12 for check-in, so my first day will be shorter than the rest. I plan to devote one of the days (maybe the first one) to Ile de Cite, including St. Chapelle, Conciergery and Notre Dame and walk through Ile St. Louis. I am not sure if I will be able to do it in one day, but if I fail, I will return to see Ile St. Louis the next day for sure. Day two - Eiffel tower, the Invalides, Armee Museum and Seine boat ride (I have an 11 years old son). Day three - Chartres (?) and D'Orsay or Louvre. Day Four - walking the neighbourhoods (Place Vosges, Rne Viviani, just walking around the old central streets and squares), maybe Rodin museum. So, this is my plan, hopefully it is realistic, but once again, I would love to feel an atmosphere of history (all the books we read in childhood about Paris) and just different from the States or even French Canada.

Sounds pretty good. Try to see the Arc de Triomphe too, since apparently you have an interest in military history. The Rodin museum is a good choice, but I would think you could fit it in when you go to the Invalides, since it is very close to there. The Rodin Museum is small so shouldn't take more than 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You may be able to squeeze even more into the Notre Dame day. In one day, starting about 7:30, we walked around Ile-St-Louis, toured Notre Dame and climbed tours (I also take tons of photos, so none of this was fast), toured the Crypte d'Archeaology, Ste. Chapelle, the Conciergerie, two wings of the Louvre, had lunch at the Louvre, and climbed the Arc de Triomphe. This was all before dark. Ask if you can leave the luggage behind the desk or something until later, so you can get an earlier start on sightseeing. I have never had a problem with this. If not, most train stations have lockers where you could leave the luggage until later. However, I am sure you don't want to have to go retrieve your luggage at the end of a hard day of sightseeing.

Sounds good! <BR>One note: a hotel will usually be willing to hold your luggage until checkin. Sometimes you can even checkin. It depends on how crowded they are. I always use that "twilight zone" time to do errands like buy tickets...get information and hit my first cafe!!!

If the lines are long (maybe, maybe not) at the Tour Eiffel in the morning, return just before dusk and try again. The views from the top level at this time of day, when the light is the most beautiful, could not be more magical. Stay until dark, when the lights have been turned on all over the city. Unforgetable! I would strongly recommend that, once you drop your luggage off at your hotel, you go directly to Paristoric (11 bis rue Scribe, around the corner from Opera Garnier and across from Hotel Scribe). This is a fabulous multimedia presentation (with terrific music) of the sights, attractions, museums, history of Paris and environs. You and your son will really enjoy this - and, having seen it, will have a better idea of what not to miss. Shown on the hour 9-9 (6 in winter). Another place for really fine panoramic views (for free!) of the city is the rooftop of La Samaritaine Department Store. Go to Magazine II (Store 2) and take the elevator to the 9th floor. When you emerge, look across and left for a stairway beyond a door. Climb one flight to the cafe, then go around the corner to another stairway to the roof. Awesome! If possible, be sure to have someone take a photo of you and your son with the view of your choice behind you. When you get home, you can enlarge and frame it. Believe me, you will cherish this.

Wow, once again, thank you so much everyone! I agree with someone else, who mentioned that it would be almost impossible to travel to Europe without this forum. I will follow your advices and I will try to make this trip memorable.

Just realized way after the fact that I said climbed "tours," instead of "towers." Correct in French anyway.

I am about to go to Paris for about the 7th time, and Chartres has been on my list since about the third, and I am definitely going to make it this time! For four days, however, I think that you will be quite happy devoting yourself to Paris, although to reiterate what others have said, not on the Champs Elysees for an entire day! One suggestion on your proposed itinerary; when you arrive at 8:00 am you are going to find it very difficult to function effectively during much of that day, and that will go double for your 11 year old. When I arrived on a morning flight with my kids, I left our bags at the hotel and went on the Seine cruise right away. Its a good way to get oriented, see some of the major sights and best of all, you don't have to walk alot at a time when you will be exhausted.