Paris for 7 days
 

I am considering going to Paris for 7 days with a group of my female friends. I have been previously and do not care to do some of the things that "first timers" want to do. I would like to hear from those of you who have taken day trips by train and toured other places. I am considering Brussells, but wanted an opinion of someone else. This is one of the best information sources around. I just wish I could go to Europe all of the time!!! I love it. Thanks Kathy

No disrespect to Brussels or any other destination, but if you are only in Paris for 7days, why leave? Why don't you go off on your own and find some of the hidden gems in the city? In the recent Gourmet magazine, there were several arrondissments highlighted with out of the way places that tourists neglect to see on their first (or 2nd or 23rd)visits. There are so many wonderful neighborhoods to explore so I recommend you stay put and discover what's around you!!

Kathy: <BR>Are you getting a car? If so, venture into any of the wine regions. That will take some of your days and fill them w/great memories if you enjoy wine. <BR>You actually have time to hit the Riviera...do you plan to spend any time in Paris at all? Do you want time with your friends? If so sit down w/them and come up w/things that are of interest to all/most of you. Lots to do in France outside of Paris. <BR> <BR>Happy Travels <BR>Oaktown <BR>

The French railsystem is very good and there are many places you could see from Paris within a day trip, let alone venturing to Brussels. If you are dying to see Brussels, I think that's a find idea on the high-speed train; I've only been through there but would personally not find it as interesting as other places in France to see closer to Paris, but I like France a lot and am interested in French history and culture. I would simply suggest you get a good guidebook and choose something that is of interest to you; specifically, Earl Steinbicker's "Day Trips in France" must give at least a dozen or more places within a few hours of Paris, with attendant maps and sightseeing information. I'm sure there are many things in Paris to see that you did not during your first trip and you could find things of interest for yourself that might not be what firsttimers would focus on, again, by getting a good guidebook. You don't really say what your interests are and I always find it difficult to give people much advice, especially specific advice for them, when you know nothing about them or what they want to do. I know some people really don't like large cities very much and do get bored in Paris after hitting the highlights, maybe that's your case.

If you haven't done it yet, you should take the train from Paris to Versailles and from Paris to the cathedral at Chartres. You could also visit Giverny, where Monet painted. These are all short day trips from the city.

Here's a big vote for wandering into areas you've not yet visited. My last trip, we stayed in the 8th - not our usual area, and walked north from there a lot. Whole big chunks of Paris we'd never seen, far off the beaten path and fascinating. Not ruling out road trips - especially to Chartres, but devote a spare day or two to some new neighborhoods. Enjoy!

We just came back from a trip with friends who had not been to Paris before--we have been a number of times. We spent 9 days there--did a couple of things with them, like museums but finally just agreed to meet for dinner, etc. I might go to Chartres, Versailles, other day trips (the dreaded Fred at anamericaninparis.com has a wonderful list on his website) but I found more than enough to re-visit and find new. The suggestion about the Gourmet issue is good--there are some really new things. How about a walking tour of an area? We are probably going back in the fall and spend another 5 or so days and then go to the south. A good day trip for Belgium might be Brugges.

For something even regular Parisian visitors might not think of doing, take the RER line A to the Isle des Impressionistes and have lunch at the Maison Fournaise (where Renoir painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party.") Visit the small museum thee and then continue on the RER to Auvers-sur-Oise, where you can see Vincent Van Gogh's grave, next to his brother Theo's, walk the old streets of the town, and visit the small museum there. Great daytrip, easy commute. <BR> <BR> <BR>I also love Senlis and Chantilly as a combined daytrip. <BR> <BR> <BR>

I do not recommend renting a car if you are staying in Paris. Parking in Paris is a headache as in any big city. I remember once having a car in Paris during the Paris leg of a Paris-Loire-Mt. St. Michel trip. We found a parking spot in front of the Sorbonne and went back every day to make sure the rental car was still there. We should have rented the car AFTER the Paris leg of the trip was over. <BR> <BR>Trains are very convenient and Paris is at the hub of the French train system. Just be certain you know which train station you depart from when you take day trips. You don't want to miss your train because you got confused. <BR> <BR>Since you are going with a mixed group of first timers and those who have been before, you need some ground rules. Does everyone want to do things together all the time? I bet that is not a good idea. Perhaps some days you can do things as a group and other days you can split up and meet for dinner or a concert in the evening. Feeling free to split up is often the key to a successful trip like the one you are planning. <BR> <BR>I do agree with some of the other posters about the possible day trips, but Brussels is not totally out of the question if that is what YOU want to do. <BR> <BR>I will be in Paris for a week next August and am thinking of going to London for the day on the Eurostar because I have never been through the Chunnel--and there is an exhibit on Catherine the Great I would like to see in London. I am not really good at planning every detail of a trip in advance and will probably just play it by ear after I get to Paris. Anytime I try and "script" everything, the "script" generally gets trashed after I get there and realize it is too ambitious. <BR> <BR>Whatever you decide to do, Paris is inexhaustible. Have a great trip!

Why spend time getting somewhere else(Brussels) when you are in Paris? It is the most beautiful city in the world and there is so much to see and do there--truly something for everyone! Old fabulous design and archtitecture and buildings and new cutting edge galleries, clothing, restaurants, etc. We have been many times and still feel there is so much left to see. It is not a city to see in 2 or 3 days. Give it a chance--you will not be disappointed! I say spend all your trip there.

I'm not sure if there's some specific reason why you want to visit Bruxelles, but I would choose Bruges over Bruxelles any day.