Paris, Lyon, and .... ? Christmas in France 2013
Jul 24th, 2013, 11:12 PM
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Jul 25th, 2013, 09:28 AM
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Why don't you go directly to Strasbourg upon arrival instead of splitting up your time in Paris? I always like to get to the farthest point of my trip right off the bat, and don't like splitting up time in a city. Just a thought.
Jul 25th, 2013, 09:46 AM
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@StCirq I don't find splitting time up in Paris, it would be far too much of a pain to have to arrive in CDG (after a long trans-atlantic flight, jet lag and all), and have to catch a train to Strasbourg on top of that. I just don't like that concept.
@yestravel I wanted to spend more time in Strasbourg because it will be over Christmas (23-26), and it would be nice to be in a Christmas centered town during that time. I will be taking a morning train from Strasbourg to Lyon, and should arrive around noon, giving me a little time to explore. Then I have one whole day, and then leave the next (can take a later train), to arrive in Paris.
@yestravel I wanted to spend more time in Strasbourg because it will be over Christmas (23-26), and it would be nice to be in a Christmas centered town during that time. I will be taking a morning train from Strasbourg to Lyon, and should arrive around noon, giving me a little time to explore. Then I have one whole day, and then leave the next (can take a later train), to arrive in Paris.
Jul 25th, 2013, 10:22 AM
#32
I would have the same reservations as you about the train after an overnight transatlantic flight. But like StCirq, i would rather not split time in a city if it can be avoided. For our trip this winter, we decided to give a go to the train after our arrival in Paris. We went straight from CDG to Lyon and it really was not bad at all. We had a couple hours between the flight arrival and train departure. Got ourselves to the TGV station in CDG, had some coffee and maybe some food and then we were off on the TGV. I was surprised that it was not a pain after all.
I think you are not going to get much of a sense of Lyon (or most places) in a day and half. You will be running from place to place. While I prefer Lyon, for a day and half Dijon would be better as it's much smaller and less to see.
I think you are not going to get much of a sense of Lyon (or most places) in a day and half. You will be running from place to place. While I prefer Lyon, for a day and half Dijon would be better as it's much smaller and less to see.
Jul 25th, 2013, 11:31 AM
#33
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I've taken a train upon arrival, and it just really extends the day, mainly. It wasn't really any more arduous than changing planes would be, for example. Given you have several days at the end, I don't think splitting time in Paris is so bad, I think it's fine.
And I would choose Strasbourg over Dijon, also. It is very different than other areas, for one thing. I don't see any reason one has to spend more than 2 days in Lyon, I went there once just on a day trip from Paris. In fact, 2 days could be enough for many people.
I'm not as enamored of Beaune as many people on here, either. I wouldn't call that hospital, Hotel Dieu, spectacular myself, but at least it was something to see and interesting, as there isn't really much to do in Beaune at all, of course, it's very small. Dijon is not a small town, it is a decent-sized city of about 150K population.
And I would choose Strasbourg over Dijon, also. It is very different than other areas, for one thing. I don't see any reason one has to spend more than 2 days in Lyon, I went there once just on a day trip from Paris. In fact, 2 days could be enough for many people.
I'm not as enamored of Beaune as many people on here, either. I wouldn't call that hospital, Hotel Dieu, spectacular myself, but at least it was something to see and interesting, as there isn't really much to do in Beaune at all, of course, it's very small. Dijon is not a small town, it is a decent-sized city of about 150K population.
Jul 25th, 2013, 11:36 AM
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We have never been to France and want to be in Paris first. However, I do agree with you in that there isn't enough time in Lyon, so I have decided to visit Dijon instead. Now the Question is, should we stay in Strasbourg for 3 nights or Dijon for 3 nights (with a day trip to Beaune), meaning the other would be 2 nights?
Jul 25th, 2013, 11:41 AM
#36
The tourist part of Dijon is small relative to Lyon or say Paris. There is much to see in Lyon. Obviously one can spend a day or two there and rush around to see it all or not really discover all that is available. Seeing anyplace on day trip I think is rather different than settling in and seeing what the town really has.
Jul 25th, 2013, 11:43 AM
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Glad to help - I hope you love Strasbourg as much as we did!!
I am not sure what days you will be there but keep in mind that most things start to shut down in the afternoon of 24 Dec. I am not sure if thats true with Paris but imagine it could be. Also xmas day will be quiet no matter where you are...
We spent the week between xmas and new years in Paris as well so I will post the link to that trip report...
I am not sure what days you will be there but keep in mind that most things start to shut down in the afternoon of 24 Dec. I am not sure if thats true with Paris but imagine it could be. Also xmas day will be quiet no matter where you are...
We spent the week between xmas and new years in Paris as well so I will post the link to that trip report...
Jul 25th, 2013, 11:47 AM
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