Hi everyone,

I have been looking around on here and was hoping that you guys might be able to give me some opinions. My boyfriend and I are flying into Paris going straight to Beaune for 3 nights and then back to Paris for the last 3 nights and wanted to get opinions on the best way to travel between the 2. I know there are trains but it seems to be more cost effective to rent a car from CDG and drive down there then return it on the way back adding in a stop to Versailles? Is it a horrible idea to rent a car and drive ourselves? We were planning on renting a car in Dijon once we get down there so either way we will be renting a car and the price is basically the same if renting in Dijon or CDG. Thanks in advance for the help and advice!

No, its not a horrible idea. It sounds as if you have never driven in France before. The driving part is easy, they are safe and courteous drivers. (no driving slow in the passing lane!) The tolls on the expressways are expensive! The tolls to Beaune are probably more than 50E. The secondary highways are free and can be very scenic, especially in the small towns. If you are flying in from overseas, the drive may be difficult after a long flight. Parking in Dijon and especially Paris can be a nightmare.The drive back to Paris via Versailles is a good idea if you must see the palace, but it is also very easy to get to the palace via metro and trains from Paris. I would probably drive, there are many however who would take the train and rest on the way to Beaune.

Why don't you get a train from CDG to Beaune, and then rent a car for the return journey and turn it in at Versailles (you don't want a car in Paris). There may be a one-way fee depending on the rental company.

It makes sense to me if you were going to rent a car in Beaune, anyway. Because CDG is to the east of Paris, so you don't have to drive through it from CDG to Beaune. That's still a long drive after a long flight (I'm guessing around 4 hrs all told, including getting the car etc).

I'm not sure about the return and Versailles trip, though, not sure I'd do that but it depends how long you want the car. I just don't see how you could drive from Beaune to Versailles (at least 3 hrs), tour Versailles, then drive to Paris -- all in one day? I mean you can do it, but sounds like some endurance contest.

Depending on the time of your return flight, you could do Paris first [possibly with a Versailles day trip, questionable with all there is to see in Paris], take a train to Beaune [or Dijon]. Spend your last night in Dijon, catch the early train to CDG which arrives at about 8:30AM.

We did Paris-Beaune-Paris a few years ago. Where is your hotel in Beaune? We did take the TGV from Paris to Beaune and at the train station there were no taxis (I think it was Saturday afternoon) so we ended up walking to our hotel, which was about 20 min. away. That might be your determining factor whether to drive directly or take the train from Paris.

Also, if you rent a car at CDG you might want to spend the night in Reims or one of the champagne region towns before going to Beaune. That is more direct to Beaune than going to Versailles first.

Versailles was fantastic, but we didn't get there until our 2nd trip to France! Too much to see in Paris and Versailles will be a full day for sure.

Take a taxi to Gare de Lyon and then get the TGV to Dijon. Rent your car in Dijon at the train station as you planned and drive to Beaune.

Renting a car in Dijon, then fighting through city traffic to get to Beaune makes zero sense to me.

There is a direct train to Beaune at 6:58 AM arriving at 9:05. Arrange a rental from Avis, who has an office in the station.

FYI:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic..._Burgundy.html