One day trip outside Paris
 

We will have 6 days in Paris later this month and thought we might take a train trip just for a day to a nearby town to experience another side of France. I have no idea of what's nearby or even if it's practical. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

I suggest Reims, Fontainbleu or Chartes. Of course I also recommend Versailles but I'm sure that you are already planning to go there. Don't miss Marie Antoinette's Hamlet in the Chateau gardens.

HI
You will need a basic guidebook for Paris, (Fodors is good) and in it you will find suggestions and instructions for popular day trips.

The ones that rlimb mentions, including Versailles, are easily done by train.
Plan it for a non-rainy day.

Can't remember how far it is but have always wanted to go to Mon San Michel, check it out.

I took a daytrip to the Ile des Impressionistes in Chatou (15 minutes from Paris on the RER-A) during my last trip this past April to visit the site where Renoir painted "Luncheon of the Houseboat Party", the painting featured in the movie "Amelie". The place is now a museum called La Maison Fournaise. Monsieur Fournaise, who owned the building, is painted into the painting.

The following are URLs for the websites:
http://www.fournaise-museum.com/
http://www.realfrance.com/rt/artfourn.htm

Fontainebleau is an "easy do" that is also very worthwhile. Take the train from Gare de Lyon. There is a city bus that seem timed to the train that will take you to the gates of the chateau itself.
The chateau itself is a slice of French history, having been the "hunting" lodge of the kings and the residence of Napoleon when he was in Paris.
The village itself adjoins chateau grounds and is very pleasant. You can stroll along the main street and take the bus back to the station for the return trip when you wish.

There are numerous good places to eat along the street.

Rouen is another day trip that is most accomplishable. Take the train from Gare St. Lazare, only this time you probably want the train that leaves shortly after 8 am so you can have mostly day light hours to see the city.
There is also an earlier departure at about 7:30.

That is one drawback about this time of year in Europe; the hours of daylight are growing very short.

For Chartres, the trains leave frequently
from Gare Montparnasse. The trips take about an hour.

For Rouen, the trip takes 1:08 on some of the trips.

For Fontainebleau, be the trip is less than an hour; the shortest travel time being 35 minutes.

Deauville is also an easy day trip. I think the gardens at Giverny just closed for the season.

We just did a day trip to St Germain-en-Laye , and had a wonderful time ...less than 30 minutes on RER A from Chatlet.
There is always Versailles or the other trip we had planned but didn't have time for, Auvers-sur Oise. This was our 10th trip to Paris and we still never have enough time for all we want to see and do. Maybe in 6 days you might want to explore what is available and on while in town and skip a day rip. There were at least 6 exhibitions we had to pass up for lack of time on an 11 day trip.

Will email my day trip file to those who request it.

The Rouen suggestion is a good one. Take the express train from St. Lazare (Paris). Little over an hour each way. Spectacular cathedral, old town section if full of half-timbered buildings, site of the execution (burning at the stake) of Joan of Arc, nice river area for picnicing if weather permits, and several nice restaurants. Also a day trip to the Loire to see a few chateaus is doable. The mini tour company of Acco-Dispo tel. 02 47 57 67 13 offers half day tours to the chateaus that are very interesting and affordable. You can join a tour at Tours or Amboise.

Larry J

Rouen has a wonderful art museum with some excellent impressionist exhibits. With only 6 days in Paris I would not take a day trip.

We are heading out to Paris at the end of this month and plan to make it to Reims. As a day trip we have been to Fontainebleau, Chartres, Mont San Michel, Versailles, Orleans, Sully, and Bourges (wonderful French towns). Deauville and Trouville we did as a weekend trip from Paris and it was fantastic. If I had to put an order to these ideas I would suggest Versailles, Chartres, and Mont San Michel. Have a great trip.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Since we've both been to Paris before we're looking forward to something new. Now I realize that we need another WEEK to fit in all that we'd like to see.
Thanks again.