Hello all,

I'm getting hitched in seven days to my sweetheart. For our honeymoon we're going to Paris for about twenty-five days, July 5th to July 30th. We have family friends in Paris who are letting us stay alone in an apartment on Rue Mouffetard for free (!), so we're going to use that as our home base, but we would both like to take some nice side trips. So my question for all of you is: what are some nice, romantic side trips from Paris that won't destroy my pocketbook? I want to be in Paris for Bastille day, but after that I figure my sweetheart and I will want to explore outside Paris (except I want to be back by the 27th for the last leg of the Tour de France). We're both in our lower twenties but not particularly interested in dance clubs or other common youthful diversions. Romance! That's what I want to suprise her with.

By side trips, I mean by rental car OR by train for several days to, say, Provence or Normandy or something, OR (maybe) by plane outside of France, say, Prague or Berlin or something. The latter possibility, unfortately, is rather expensive, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks a lot!

Spencer

I'd take the RER to Versailles and definitely tour the gardens.

After you have spent a week or 10 days getting to know Paris ( a teeny bit) I think a train or car to Provence would be wonderful. Or fly if it isn't too expensive, although you would want a car when you are there.
If that is too far, then maybe Normandy and Mont St Michel.
But then a few days in the Loire Valley would be romantic, stay in a castle.

What a treat to have so much time for France and a honeymoon!
Congratulations, all the best!
Scarlett

Visit Alsace in the far NE!
The Vill of Riquewihr is magnifique!
M

Keeping this topped for the Honeymooners

A few days on the Côte d'Azur would be romantic and beautiful, especially if you can get a room at a hotel overlooking the Mediterranean or in one of the small hilltop villages like St-Paul-de-Vence. July is high season, but there still seems to be some hotel availability in Nice. Try france.com for reservation options, and have a wonderful time wherever you go.

Hi,

You could take the TGV to Bordeaux (25Epp one way PREM fare), rent a car and tour the wine country and Dordogne.

Angers is a beautiful city and can be reached via the TGV from Montparnasse in Paris. The train arrives in the center of the city and is within walking distance of many of the sites. The Château de Angers is only a couple blocks from the train station and also the old part of the city that is interesting to walk thru.

FYI there is a mini supermarket on rue Monge only about two hundred feet from the Cardinal Lemoine Metro stop and only a short distance from rue Mouffetart. They also have a fairly good selection of wines.

I would vote for a the Cote d'Azur as well - a nice departure fromt he city. Cap d'Antibe, Nice, St Tropez come to mind.

Thanks for all the comments! I'll be sure to post a travel report/itinerary when I come back.

Thanks again!