Paris to Ieper
 

Good Morning
Spring may be here. Thought I heard a robin this morning. Snow is melting fast in the past fewdays .. still lots left though!!
My wife and I will be in Paris end of May. I want to visit my great-grandfather's grave site in Ieper, Belgium. Has anyone made that trip? What would be the best mode of transportation. We're first time travellers!!
Thanks for any suggestions.
Terry

Train. Thalys from Paris to Brussels; local train from Brussels to Ieper/Ypres. Both good services. I'd suggest an overnight.

When in Ieper, I think you might find the Cloth Hall a very good visit: it has a very impressive and moving war museum.

If time permits, I would also recommend that you find a tour guide for the sites in and near Ypres/Leper. I used quasimodo and was very happy with them. My grandfather also fought there and seeing the sites, old photos, etc was very important and moving for me.

You can also get the train to Lille, then on to Ieper (via Kortrijk). That probably sounds a bit long winded but the part of Belgium you are wanting to visit - Flanders - is in fact not that far from the French border.

It's a pretty, if sleepy area - nice for walking and cycling, and plenty of villages with bar-laden town squares! We stayed in Poperinge to visit family war graves.

I would think about a long day trip -

Train to Lille (Rijssel) then rent a car to tour Ypres (Leper) and some of the surrounding sights.

Peter

Please try and stay for the Last Post at Menin Gate, 8pm every day of the year. We are commemorating ANZAC day here in Australia today so this made me remember the special time we spent in Ypres, it was a very moving experience. In Flanders Field museum is certainly worth a visit as Padraig suggested, everyone should go there!