Paris 1 week, Loire too?
 

First time trip to Paris in Oct. for 1 week. Should we try and get to the Loire valley also? Dont want to rush through Paris. Would we rent a car and drive there from Paris or train there and rent a car when we arrive? Thanks

Leslie, <BR>I guess a lot depends on what you plan to see/do in Paris. My cousin & I are going in mid-October & plan to take the bateau mouche, see the Eiffel, L'Arc de Triomphe, Pere Lachaise, the Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay, Versailles, & do some early Christmas shopping. We decided that given this is supposed to be a vacation for us, we're going to do things at an enjoyable pace, and that exploration (outside of our trip to Versailles) outside the city is probably not a realistic option in the week we'll be there. <BR> <BR>If you're not crazy about the museums, you may have time to get to the Loire valley. <BR> <BR>Savor your time in France! It is a marvelous experience. <BR>Bon Voyage, <BR>Kathy

For a 1 week stay I would stay in Paris. You can take a day trip but there's so much to see and do in the city you should spend the whole time there. For more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

Leslie - <BR> <BR>Agree with Kathy. Outside of one day trip, don't venture out. There is so much to see in Paris that one week will fly by. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR>:-)

We just got home from an eight day trip to France- 2 nights in Senlis, a small medieval town just north of the airport- great for jet lag,and close to Chantilly chateau- <BR>then we took the train to Amboise where we rented a car. We spent three nights in the Loire Valley and had a lovely time there. <BR>Then we came back to Paris for the last three nights. There we went to the Louvre, several great places to eat, several times to the Eiffel Tower and park, the Madeleine for a concert and also a side trip to Vaux-le- Vicomte chateau. You can tell we enjoy chateaux. This trip was great, If anything, we would have spent an extra day in the Loire and one day less in Paris. Of course, we have been to both places before and didn't feel like we had to see everything. There is a lot to be said for the French countryside. We usually find that three days of a big city is enough for us at a time. The countryside is both cheaper and more relaxing- fewer tourists and more of the "real" France.

Although you could certainly spend a week in Paris, 3 days at a time has always been more than enough for me. <BR> <BR>If you like chateau, then I would certainly get to the Loire for 2 full days of touring. I would take a train and then rent - the worst traffic jam I was ever in was outside Paris on the way to the Loire (probably not the norm) <BR> <BR>

If you decide to go to the Loire, definitely take the train from Gare Austerlitz to Amboise, stay at a nice 2 star hotel two hundred yards from the railroad station, Hotel La Breche . The food there is really good. Then rent a car from Garage Jourdain in Amboise. <BR> We drove as far as Chinon( maybe two hours away) stopping at chateaux on the way there and back, staying at a bed and breakfast in the area, and then drove back to Amboise, turned in the car the next morning and got on the train back to Paris. Very easy to do the Loire trip and for us it was a real stress -breaker.

We visited both Paris and the Loire Valley for 8 days a few years ago and it was our first time there. <BR> <BR>We stayed in Paris for two days, rented a car and drove from Paris to Chartres and then Blois (where we visited friends). We visited Chambord, Amboise, the wine caves, Blois and drove back to Paris where we finished up our sightseeing. <BR> <BR>The big positive is that big cities, as wonderful as they are, can be exhausting and noisy and the countryside is always a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle. <BR> <BR>Of course, we enjoyed every moment (except for the sprained ankle and a visit to the hospital...but that's another story). <BR> <BR>If you have any questions, write me.

I would also suggest a few days in the Loire. Several years ago, we went to Paris & the Loire, in October, for a week (actually, 10 or so days) and it was great (we had each visited Paris before, though). Depending on your travelling/vacation style, you may be ready for a break from the city. Also you will see a different part of France, and get a different view of the French people, in visiting the Loire. It was a great time of year - very few other tourists, and we were able to view the castles at our own pace.

I agree with Steve -- a few days in Paris and then the train to the Loire. Just know that driving can be confusing -- you must have patience. You can also look up the city of Tours on the internet -- there are tour services there that might suit your needs and save you some aggravation. Tours seems to be the springboard for travels in the Loire. <BR> <BR>I was there last year around the same time. Weather was nice -- although it did rain one evening. We also hit a train strike, so I would advise that you allow yourself a cushion of a day just in case. Rail strikes are common in France, but usually only last a day (and are generally announced in advance). We had no problem getting out the next morning (but we weren't going back to Paris -- usually the trains into/out of Paris are not affected by strikes as much). <BR> <BR>Have fun! And don't miss Chenenceau! It is beautiful.

Here's the way I figure it -- if I can see similar things at "home". In other words, if I can see a good Egyptian exhibit at the Met, why spend time looking at one in the Louvre? If I have time later in the trip I'll go back, or I'll stop in just to see something that the Met doesn't have (the Mona Lisa, Venus DeMilo, etc. -- ooh! Don't forget Napoleon's apartments! I liked them better than I liked Versailles) <BR> <BR>I'd rather say that I saw a bit of something than not having seen it at all (within limits, naturally). <BR> <BR>Of course if you haven't had the chance to visit the Met, that changes everything. :)