Hello,

My husband and I will be in Paris week of May 14-21, and we have booked to stay an extra day. We are trying to decide which 'extra day trip' to make out of the city..and aren't sure which would be the most worthwhile (for sights to see vs time spent travelling to get there etc?) We both love art and architecture, and I have always wanted to see the Loire valley (but am not sure if its too far a drive for a one day trip?)

Would anyone have any reccomendations..we would love to hear them!

Thanks!

I think the Loire Valley would be a bit much for a single day trip, if you mean you will drive there in the morning and return in the evening. Lots of driving I think and will limit any sightseeing.

If you have never been to Giverny, it is lovely and a perfect day trip. We went for the full day a couple of years ago, arriving early before the gardens were crowded. May is a beautiful time at Giverny. After several hours at Giverny, we visited the American Museum and had lunch on the terrace there. I think the Loire is a lot to absorb in a day but Giverny would be perfect.

I lean toward the thought on preceding posts: Giverny. However, you needn't drive all the way to the castled part of the Loire Valley. You can take a TGV train and pick up a rental car at the station.

I loved Giverny ... definitely worth it, although Giverny proper is pretty boring outside of his home and gardens and the American museum. If you are a Monet fan, you can't pass this up. It was amazing to see the gardens and to reflect on all of his Giverny paintings.

I am not a fan of Giverny at all. A garden packed wall to wall with people just isnt fun for me. You could hit 3 chateaux in the Loire valley with a day trip. Take the TGV from Montparnasse early in the morning and return to Paris around 8 pm. The train is a 1 hour ride to Tours. Then you can rent a car. Its too far to drive for a day trip considering traffic to / from Paris.

Since you love art and architecture, how about a half-day trip to Chartres? There you'll have medieval and superb church architecture, not to mention that glorious stained glass with the unique "Chartres blue."

Another vote for Chartres... a very easy day trip.

I vote for the Loire Valley. I just returned from Paris last night.

I took TGV to Tours and then hooked up with a minivan tour which drove you to 3-4 chateaus.
I used Acco Dispo which was great. They drove you to the castles but then left you on your own to visit them.
http://www.accodispo-tours.com/engli...xcursions.html