Any suggestions on sites, restaurnts and day trips outside of paris? We're going to be there for new years for a week.

Do some basic research and then come back a little later with more specific questions.

I clicked on your name at the top of this post (which brings up all forums you've posted in) and see you're new to Fodors. A few tips.

FIRST, use the "search this forum" window above to do a little research on your own. If you want to do day trips, enter "day and trips and Paris". On the right in the drop down labeled "topics"...choose France, then hit search. You will get a list of threads where day trips are discussed. If Chartres sounds interesting, do a search on "Chartres and day and trip". Same for "opera and paris", etc.

SECOND, go to the library and get some guidebooks to help you determine what interests you. Reference the maps in the books often...you're building your knowledge base and will better be able to get around when you get there.

It's not necessary to post a new thread about each "mini aspect" of your trip. After you've done some research, try starting a new thread titled something like: "Paris New Years: 1st timer questions".

Palace of Versailles. An hour's train trip to Rouen, the old capital of France (from St.Lazare station). If you are from outside Europe, a day trip by the Eurostar to London from Gare du Nord. Use the metro in Paris for getting around (flat fare).


http://www.paris.world-guides.com/

Hello.... have you formed any plans as yet? Tell us what you've already chosen as your 'must see' sites, so we can add to that...

Otherwise, if you type "Paris" into the forum search, you will be presented with threads that you can use to create your trip plan.

Also, try the "Destinations" section of Fodors.com and Frommers.com for the tourism basics. The official Paris Tourism website is:
www.parisinfo.com
It contains a series of .pdf files that comprise their visitor guide:
http://en.parisinfo.com/rub7968.html..._article=20010