My husband and I have time for one day trip out of Paris this summer (not including Versailles). We are considering Giverny, Normandy and Mont St. Michel. Your comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

That's really a tough question to answer because it's all personal preference. Giverny is a short hop from Paris and can be done easily in a short day, even a half day. Normandy requires a very long day or better, an overnight stay. Personally I would go to Giverny unless I could stay overnight at Normandy. I consider both of those much better than MSM. For more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

If you are a history buff and enjoy rolling countryside - Normandy. If you are art buffs - Giverny. And if you are just in search of the different or unique Mont St. Michel. I enjoyed Giverny but Paris itself offers so much art and opportunity to enjoy it that in some ways Giverny is redundant (but bucolic and lovely). We went to Normandy recently on a day trip because this was my fiance's 1st trip to France and he wanted to see the D-Day beaches. It was my 3rd visit to the beaches and I still enjoyed it and was still moved by the experience. I have been to Mont St. Michel twice before - I have not seen it with any water nearby unfortunately because I think the water would make it all the more stunning. But I neer caught the tide right. Mont St. Michel is best experienced I think with few people around (hard to catch that moment too). I was disappointed by the souvenir shops along the walk once at the Mont. Took away from the experience. If you choose Normandy to see the beaches - we booked through www.truefrance.com. Hans had to put us on another tour because too few folks our day so we were joined on a Paris Vision minivan tour. It was delightful and included a wonderful!!! 4-course farmhouse lunch with wines. We were very satisfied with the tour and utterly satisified with True France's care of us. They really came through - so I'd recommend True France's minivan tour and Paris Vision minivan tour (approx 7am-8pm).

Joy, <BR>You could do a morning in Giverny and the afternoon in Rouen. After seeing all of Monets painting of the cathedral of Nortre Dame de Rouen you get to see the real thing. <BR>Leave Normandy for another time.

Joy: <BR> <BR>My husband and I were in Paris in February. I really enjoyed the Loire Valley day trip. We did a lot of checking around and found a small company that does tours in a mini-van (we did not like the idea of waiting around for tons of people on a huge bus). We went to Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord. We also stopped for wine tasting and had lunch in a wonderful ancient town. <BR>Whatever you decide to do - I would suggest France Tourisme (they have good prices!) All the chateaux tours were self-guided, however. They are located near St. Michel. I think their website is - http://www.ftourisme.com/