So i've won a trip to paris for 5 days in november NOV10 - 15. i have a concert i have to attend to in the middle of my stay. I will never get to europe again in my lifetime. i am going to extend my trip by 2 or 3 nights and really want to see more of europe than just paris. I think it would be fun to ride the really fast train at least once. i'm looking for day trip ideas or somewhere i absolutely need to go for 2 nights suggestions. i'll be going with my brother, so not looking for romantic places. he's a recovery so wineries are out of the question. i'm not necessarily the artsy type but can appreciate the beauty in architecture and or landscape. i want to come home with amazing memories and amzing photos. Please help me BY Suggestions some places i must see, either by day trip or during my 2 or 3 extra nights i'm going to book. i don't speak any other language other than english. i would appreciate any suggestions one might have.

I will throw London into the mix...

Congratulations on winning the trip!

Do you have to fly in and out of Paris?
If not, you should look into flying into Paris and returning from another city.

If you want to ride a fast train, you could look into taking the train from Paris to another city (London, Amsterdam or Zurich perhaps) for a few days, then returning home from that city at the end of your trip. You need to read about the possibilities to see what interests you. Click on "Destinations" at the top of this page for more information.

You have very little time to visit Paris, so I would advise concentrating on Paris and not doing daytrips from there. You will barely have time to see the most famous sites in the few days you have there.

There are a lot of helpful people here who will help you with details, but you will have to tell us your interests are.

If you have never been there before and will never go again, I would go to some place you just really are interested in, there must be some place, and I doubt if it is Strasbourg or Lyon (just guessing). YOu could go those places for an overnight, I'm just thinking I'd do something grander.

I would also suggest London if you are at all interested. Talk about fun, you can not only ride a fast train but ride iot under the water.

I second taking the train to London and try flying into Paris and returning from London.
In Paris definitely take a ride on the SEINE. I would suggest taking it at night.You will see Paris lit up an absolutely gorgeous sight.
The HOP ON HOP OFF bus is a good way to get an overview of the city. It will take you to the major sites, any that you might be interested in visiting just get off the bus and after your visit hop on another bus.
Try to go to at least one museum, I would opt for the DORSAY, great art in a great setting. The museum was a railroad station at one time and it is quite beautiful.
Also go to at least 1 park.
The LUXEMBOURG gardens are beautiful or the Tuilleries.
Make time to sit in a cafe with a coffee and just people watch.
I would suggest going to either of both NOTRE DAME OR SACRE COEUR.Both quite beautiful and impressive.
I love walking the city and discovering different places each trip.
Do not be nervous about not speaking the language, try to learn a few basics, like good morning, thank you, please etc.
Saying these few words with a smile and a nice manner will go very far.
Have a great trip.

well i have my iphone so i should be able to translate the most crucial of sentances. I really apprecaite all the input. i am not much of a traveller by any means. I'm quite simple and really ignorant when it comes to europe and all it has to offer.

Merci Boucoup!

i don't have to fly in or out of paris. i was considering flying into france and out of another country. i have some flexibility with my trip luckily. i understand their may be some great rememberence day festivities i should partake in? i arrive on the 10th and have to stay in paris hoteil until the 15th, but am considering booking 2 or 3 days before or after these dates. feel free to put together a itineary for me. i would love someone plan the trip of a lifetime from someones's perspective. not cause i'm lazy becuase i like to be spontaneous and think i'm really clueless

A lot of things will be closed on the 11th for Remembrance Day, particularly shopping. Museums may or may not be open. Public transportation will be on a limited schedule. Restaurants will be very busy because people in Paris tend to go out for family meals on holidays.

We went to thee ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on the 11th several years ago. We couldn't see the ceremony at all, but the parade of military and police units down the Champs Elysee was both fascinating and moving. The sound of a horse cavalry unit moving down the street, sabers clattering, is one I will never forget. Security will be very tight. We were rubbed down -- more than patted -- before we were allowed through the barriers and near the street.

Museums in Paris don't close on Nov 11th, at least not any major one, so that's not a problem. There are only a few holidays in the year that are big enough to close most of the museums (Jan 1st, May 1st, Christmas and New Years, usually). And public transportation isn't a big problem on holidays, there are slower schedules on Sundays, also.

Hi K,

>I think it would be fun to ride the really fast train at least once. <

Take an early train from Paris to Strasbourg and a late train coming back.

That will give you a nice daytrip and you won't have to change hotels.

>i want to come home with amazing memories and amzing photos. <

You don't need to leave Paris. You shouldn't leave Paris.

Have you looked it up on "Search the Forums"?

If I won this trip, I wouldn't leave Paris. Why do you say you will never go to Europe again? So much to see, so little time.

That said, London is fabulous.

No such thing as a DORSAY. It's the Musee d'Orsay.

As for must sees - what interests you? You can easily spend 2-3 days or more at the Normandy beaches or in the Loire Valley or just spend all your time in Paris.

Easiest way to get a clue is to look through travel websites and travel books and decide what looks interesting to you. After all, we're not going on this trip.

The 1st thing to do is buy a coupla travel guides.

I like the starting in London, train to Paris idea.

I did that my first trip (except by train, ferry train) and going to London as a first foreign country -- especially since they speak English -- helped. A lot.

Paris back then was really easy for me because I studied French in high school and college. But I remember a few years back, my cousin and his wife and son met up with us in Paris. It was their first trip abroad and they started in London, ended up in Paris, and spoke zero French. They loved London, and got a little overwhelmed with Paris until we showed up. I think they were a little anxious because of their lack of being able to communicate. I helped them understand that it was okay being total hicks, so long as they smiled, tried, and didn't act arrogant. And to understand the cultural differences.

DO learn a few key phrases and be humble. It goes a LONG way!