Paris: Day trips from Paris
 

We will be spending two weeks in Paris. Can you give us some recommendations for day trips outside of the city? We can either drive or take the train.

Thanks

Hi B,

I suggest you enter <Paris daytrip> in the "search this forum" box.

There have been numerous threads on the subject.

((I))

Hi BobNSue
my husband and I were in Paris a few months ago and we had an amzing day with the fat tire bike tours.
http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com/

The first day we did a 4 hour tour of Paris and had so much fun we went on a day trip to Versailles with them...it was one of the highlights if our trip and if you can even remotely ride a bike I'd recommend it. We took the bikes on the train and stopped at a market for supplies then had a picnic by the lake with a view of the palace...the cost included a visit inside the palace. 10 out of 10 for this one.
Have fun..Paris is amazing!
Rosie

My favorite driving one was heading out of the city in the early morning and going to Giverny before it opened. We had breakfast in the beautiful garden across the road, then when it opened did Monet's house and Gardens. From there we drove to Honfleur where we had a delighful lunch on the harbor and walked the charming town. We drove out to the cliffs at Etretat, and then made a late afternoon stop at Pont Audemer for pastries and coffee at a cafe along the pretty canal. We got back to Paris just as it was getting dark. A wonderful day.

By train, probably our favorite was doing both Reims and Epernay, with champange cellar tours, great lunch, and visiting the sites in Reims.

Versailles is very easy using the RER. I planned a 1/2 day trip but it ended up being a whole day because I was really enjoying the place.

Giverny is another wonderful place to visit.

Enjoy your trip!

There is a wonderful daytrips guidebook series by Earl Steinbecker. My copy of "Daytrips France" Fifth edition is copyright 2000 and has 48 daytrips, of which 6 are in Paris itself, and 24 are further afield. Each trip has full information on variuos transportation options, practical details, a walking tour with maps, information on the various sights at the location, and places for meals and snacks.

I can't recommend this series enough. Amazon does not list a later edition, but has the 5th edition for real cheap. I strongly recommend getting it. Even if some of the info will be dated, the places won't have changed.

My mother and Grandmother went to Normandy and enjoyed it very much.

If you choose Giverny, follow Patrick's lead and a) go very early, and b) if possible, check the schedules there to see if you can avert days when schools take bus-fulls of kids out there (I think Weds is often such a day.)

A friend and I had a wonderful daytrip driving to Senlis (a charming old, cobbled village) & Chantilly Chateau--nice in late afternoon light. They're right next to each other. Photos of our day there can be seen here:

http://tinyurl.com/34knbh

Karen
http://www.pbase.com/karenmickleson

Like AJPeabody I find the Steinbicker books invaluable and agree that a current one is not necessary. The website is: www.daytripsbooks.com

Chartres is a very easy one hour and very worthwhile trip by train from Montparnasse station.

I just searched Amazon and found the next edition is available new, about $15, and it's from the end of 2005.

I took a day trip to Rouen, leaving by train from Paris approx. 9am and returning 5pm. I used Steinbecker's Day Trips book as a guide. It was an excellent day out with 3 great churches, excellent walks, etc. - I felt I got a lot of variety. I have a report on my day there if you're interested. [email protected]

Of course, a day at Versailles is wonderful but don't shorten it to half a day - it's too vast to cover in a half day.

Chartres is lovely for the cathedral and a small town which will only take 1/2 day.

In all cases, take the train. You don't want to bother with a car and parking.

My daughter and I travelled from Paris to Bruges in Belgium.Very easy trip, actually it was so divine that we stayed the night ( minus clean undies or toothbrush!) but you could do it in one day. Bruges has been called the prettiest city in Europe and it did not disappoint.