Still trying to decide on an overnight trip from Paris. We will arrive at CDG at approx 11 am on the Friday before Easter. We thought this might be the best day to travel away from the city since we will be very tired and traveling is probably all we will have energy for anyway. We are trying to decide between the Normandy/Rouen area or the Loire Valley. Provins sounds interesting also. Any recommendations? We will definately take a day trip to Versailles. Do you think we should see Versailles on our way back from Rouen if we go there? We will just be in France for 6 days, but I definately want to see some of the countryside and not just Paris.

If I understand your question, you are going to be tired upon arrival so won't have the energy to do anything but keep on traveling a lot, taking trains, making transfers, moving luggage around, figured out how to get from end point to hotel, etc? That is different from me as I just want to drop. Anyway, I guess you want to keep traveling to some point where you will stay overnight, you aren't going to go into Paris and then take a day trip to/from those sites.

I would suggest some place where you can get by TGV train from the train station in the airport. I think the Loire Valley (Tours) fits that bill. I also thing Lyon could fit that description. Those are the only two places I know you can get by TGV from CDG (other than farther away), but I might not know of others. I think the Loire Valley would be okay for those needs.

NO, I don't thikn you should see Rouen on the way back from a trip to Versailles. I don't think there is enough time to do all that. I spend a full day in Rouen (not 12 hrs, but maybe 8) and a full day at Versailles. Anyway, I don't think they are on the same rail line so it isn't on the way--I might be wrong about that, but I don't think a train doing NWto Rouen stops at Versailles (or back). I guess if you had a car, it would be more on the way in terms of roads, at least a short detour.

Actually, it would make more sense if you want to do several things to stop in Vernon/Giverny as that is on the rail line to/from Rouen. I imagine it will be packed around Easter, however.

You could also take the TGV directly to Rouen; it's about an hour's trip. A regular (non high-speed) train, however would let you actually see the scenery as you pass it. But if you want to see the countryside as opposed to large cities like Rouen you would really need a car for exploring, and with just 6 days you're not going to have all that much time. One possibility might be to take the train from CDG to Vernon and stay near the village of Giverny, then spend the next day--with a rented car--driving around that area of Normandy. That would give you a chance to see the some of the charming Norman countryside before you return to Paris.

Normandy is incredible. I lived in Germany for three years and drove from Germany to Normandy. If you get a car, definitely go to Mont St. Michel (spelling??). We stopped there on our way to Normany. It's one of the most incredible places I've ever seen. Do some internet searching to see the photos. It's a great diversion.. Susan

I'll reinforce Underhill's suggestions. First of all, Versailles is not on the way to Rouen so that's not really an option. Secondly, Versailles is covered with tourists and definitely not relaxing.

You will be tired and you should get out and walk around to get your circulation working again. The train to Vernon, visiting Giverny and sleep might be your first priority. The next day train to Rouen and spend the day there. You can get oriented by taking the little train tour and then walk to places that interest you.

Yes, Normandy is lovely, but you only have six days and you've just spent one of them. At that point you probably should consider taking the train back to Paris and finding your hotel and getting some sleep. It takes us about two days to get up to normal energy level again.

If you want to visit Versailles, you can make it a day trip from Paris. Just take the RER (train) out to Versailles for the day. My preference for a day trip would be to Chartres, but that's my personal prejudice. I just love Chartres, both cathedral and town. Versailles is not my cup of tea although I do like Marie Antoinette's little hameau there.

You may not want to day trip. You will have taken one day trip to Rouen and there is more than enough in Paris to keep you busy for five days . . . and many more when you go back.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a wonderful trip and return soon.

With only 6 days and a couple of them seem to be arriving and departing I think you will be disappointed if you don't just go into Paris and get on with seeing this incredible city. Then if you must have a day trip go to Chartres for a day trip. It is just not logical to try to drive around "for a day" to see the countryside. And from experience I can tell you that getting into a car and driving after landing at CDG is very difficult. We did it our last trip--drove to Rouen and collapsed. But we were spending the next 5 days in Normandy before returning to Paris for another 6. Save the countryside for your next trip.

Hi amber,

If this is your first trip to France, I suggest that you spend your 6 days in Paris, with one daytrip.

Why go through the trouble of packing and unpacking just to spend one night in the provinces?

Save a tour of the hinterland for your next trip, and skip Paris.

Thanks to everyone for the info. Christina, I see what you mean about moving around after being on a jet for so long. I just didn't want to check in to a hotel in Paris, check out to spend the night away, and then come back. I thought it would be best to do an overnighter the first night rather than the last night so that we would have easy access to the airport before we leave. The problem is, so much to do, so little time. Since no one in our party of 4 (all early 40 yr. olds) wants to drive except me, maybe we should stick with the train. I would just like to take an overnight trip rather than all of these day trips. After doing a little research on this site, I am thinking that the following might work:
1 - arrive in Paris on the Friday and stay there until Wed. Possible take a day trip to Versailles on Mon or Tues.
2. On Wed. have the hotel hold our luggage and spend that day sightseeing in Paris.
3. Take an early evening train to Ambroise and check into a nice little bed and breakfast. (I've read that accomodations and fine dining are not quite as expensive in the smaller towns.)
4. Spend the Thursday touring the city/area, preferable with a local guide.
Have a nice dinner in Ambroise, and spend the 2nd night in the same bed and breakfast
5. Take an early train on Friday morning to the airport. Our flight leaves at approx. 1PM.

Does this sound do-able? How long would it take to get to CDG from Ambroise by train?

I would love to go the Mont St. Michael and Chartes also - we just don't have enough time.

1. I don't think you're giving yourself even nearly enough time to see Paris itself.

2. I'm not sure you can get straight to Amboise (note correct spelling) from Paris on a train, particularly in early evening.

3. You definitely don't need a guide to take you around Amboise - everything you need to see is right there.

4. Getting from Amboise to CDG, if it can be done on public transportation, will involve several changes, and should not be attempted on the day you are leaving.

This really does not strike me as a sensible itinerary in any way.

With just six days in Paris, and a yen to see the countryside, you are going to have to plan your countryside portion so that you end up in Paris - or the airport vicinity - the night before your flight. And, you should pick a destination that involves only one train ride in and out of Paris. That could include Rouen, or Chartres, or possibly Provins (haven't checked), but you get the idea.

Thanks StCirq, I checked the raileurope site after I posted. They did show schedules to and from Amboise to CDG (Aeroport Cdg 2tgv to Amboise via St Pierre Des Corps), but it does indicate a transfer. I guess I'll have to scrap that plan, I don't trust the last minute arrangements to the airport. There doesn't seem to be rail available to Provins - at least not through Raileurope. I guess maybe we will stick to Paris with a few day trips. I usually don't like to stay in one place for that long. I like to see as much as I can in the day, and travel to the next destination when everything starts to close, and I'm getting too tired to walk anymore. This gives me the opportunity to "experience" staying in different accomodations(hopefully interesting - historically or culturally) and provides for less hectic mornings.

I see that Raileurope offers day trips to varoius places, I just don't like the thought of spending half of my day on a train.

Any recommendations on hotels in Paris would be appreciated. The people we are going with stayed at The Victoria Palace Hotel last time they visited Paris. They said it was very nice but it is $300. night.

Thanks for your help.

The Victoria Palace is now a 4* hotel, I believe, and you can find very nice 3* hotels for a decent price. You might check out the Mansart, which is just off the Place Vendôme; superior doubles run about 180€ and are quite nice.

If you just HAVE to get out into the countryside, consider a day trip to Fontainebleau, perhaps on a tour. The château is very interesting and has lovely grounds, and the town is far enough from Paris to feel more like the country.

amberkat:

It's ok to use RailEurope to check schedules, but don't buy your tickets from them unless you want to pay a hefty surcharge.

The French National Railway website is www.sncf.com. I just checked and there are a good number of trains to Provins from Paris - a direct one takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Provins would be a nice spot to get away to for a day or twow. It has one of the most beautifully preserved medieval quarters in France.

Rouen would be another good spot.

But daytrips to places like Fontainebleau and Auvers-sur-Oise will also get you outside the city in a more intimate French setting.