stormygirl

We'll be heading to Paris for Christmas this year and are considering doing a day trip somewhere on a Fri or Sat. Considering the cold and dark and the fact that we will need it to be doable in one day where would you recommend? We won't have a car so a train trek is in order. Love history, scenery, food, wine, etc.

I have been to Versailles and don't think the winter is probably the best time for my husband to see this anyway.

I have also been to Reimes so am considering Eperney.

Would love your opinions and suggestions!

ira

Hi S,

We will be doing a daytrip to Auxerre this Sept - 1:40 hr by train.

Also consider Dijon or Troyes.

Lynn_Gibson

Have you been to Chartres? That is a great easy day trip. In addition to the cathedral, I enjoyed the town.

Christina

Auxerre does have a few interesting sites, I've been there.

I'd go to Lyon. You can get there by TGV in only 2 hours, and there is so much to see and do within the central city. Almost all is walkable from the train station, but they also have a convenient little metro line within the city, if you wish. I used the metro to get from the train station to the place where you take the funicular to the top of the hill where the basilica is--the views from up there are outstanding. Then you can take the funicular back down to the Old Quarter, or walk. I ambled around there, then across the river to the Hotel de Ville, and visited two outstanding museums. Their decorative arts museum is good, but their textile museum is one of the best in the world.

They have great food there, of course, it's known for that. I would not go to Eperney myself, if you've been to Reims unless you are just batty about Champagne making.

missypie

We were in Paris Dec. 26-Jan 2 one year and took side trips to Versailles and Chartres. The outside of Versailles was prety stark. Chartres was great. We happened on a tour by that guy named Malcom. It was very enjoyable.

stormygirl

We had thought of Chartres but didn't know if it would be good in the winter. I will check out some of the other suggestions too!

My husband has serious interest in Normandy, what do you think?? weather, transportation, distance?

Underhill

You could easily go to Rouen for the day by train.

Chartres, however, would be my favorite of those suggested. Besides the extraordinary cathedral there's the medieval town to visit, all in a compact space. Nice pedestrian shopping precinct as well, and quite a few good restaurants.

avm

I am a huge fan ofhartres, in any weather! I was last there during the holidays 2003; it was a cold and raw day, but it didn't detract at all from the experience, whether it was climbing the clock tower or looking at outdoor sculptures. We took the English-speaking tour given twice a day (but not Sundays) by Malcolm Miller, a Brit who has been studying the stained glass since the 1960's (I first heard him in 1968). I know that he does travel, doing research and lecturing, around the world during the off season, so it would be wise to check. I found phone and fax numbers for him--tel. 02-37-28-15-58; fax 02-37-28-33-03. It takes only an hour by train to get to Chartres, the old town is interesting, and we found a wonderful restaurant for crepes--Le Picoterie.

grandmere

Whereas Normandy is doable as a day trip, why do a hit-and-run of that large and diverse area when there are places closer by that would enable you to be much more leisurely. The D Day beach area was very bleak and chilly when we were there in early May this year, and the five nights we were in Normandy weren't nearly enough. If your husband is interested in it, then it deserves more time. You're getting lots of good alternative ideas.

I spent one Christmastime in Paris, and it was a lovely time of year to be there. We actually spent the day itself and night at Chateau de Chaumontel, about 20 miles north of Paris. It was a former nobleman's hunting lodge and has been turned into an inn; the grounds are beautiful (pansies were still blooming, even in the cold; either a different variety than we have around W. Pa, or more likely, it just doesn't get as cold), even has a moat around it. We should have spent Christmas Eve there, as the celebration was kind of over by the time we arrived on Christmas day. Live and learn! My advice would be to make plans and find some place you want to be on Christmas Day itself, since it is a real family time for the French and not necessarily a jolly time to be out and about, in my experience.

Happy planning!

stormygirl

thanks so much, we are researching Chartres and Dijon!

My friend lives in Paris so we are actually going to have a wonderful Christmas with her in her apartment. We are going to cook up a storm!!

nonnafelice

When we went to Chartres in 2003, I emailed Malcolm Miller about his tours and got a response. The email address I used was: [email protected]

His tours are absolutely wonderful and inspiring. It is definitely worth planning your visit there to be able to hear him. I asked him how he could retain such enthusiasm for so many years (I think he has been doing this for decades), and he said that to him the cathedral was like a beautiful work of music that he could never tire of.

grandmere

Sg, your plans for Christmas day sound like a perfect way to celebrate!