hpluss1

Hello, we are planning a trip to Paris , Versailles, Giverny and possibly Antwerp over 10 days in late April or early May. We were thinking 5 days in Paris and then go by train to the other cities over 5 days. Or... 7 days in Paris with day trips to Versailles and Giverny, and then 2 days in Antwerp.

Can anyone suggest whether we should stay overnight in Versailles , then go from there to Giverny for 1 night. Or would you recommend doing both of those places as day trips from Paris?

Then if we also want to do Antwerp, should we travel straight there from Giverny by train? Thank you for any insight. We've been to Paris but not to these other cities so we're looking forward to some new cities!

StCirq

I can't see any benefit to overnighting in Versailles, and it's going to be complicated to get to Antwerp from Giverny, probably requiring going back to Paris anyway. So, no. Do them as day trips from Paris. It's possible you could do both in one day, but it would require some diligent attention to logistics.

michele_d

I would definitely stay in Paris and do them both as day trips. They are quick rides. I would never relocate to that close of a location for one night due to the logistics: packing, relocating, unpacking. Ughhh...just the thought.

Hop on the train, enjoy the day and return to your lodging later that day...easy breezy!

hpluss1

Thank you. And do you have any recommendations for where to head in those cities, including Antwerp? Thank you!!

gawlergirl

Try the Fat tire Bike Tour from Paris to Versailles, it was the highlight of our family trip in 2007, just a wonderful day out.

hpluss1

If we have only 4 days in Paris, would you recommend using one of those days for a trip to Giverny or Versailles?

StCirq

Versailles and Giverny aren't cities. And I'm not sure what you mean by "where to head." In Versailles, you head to the palace. In Giverny, you head to Monet's house. And if you have only 4 days, I'd stay in Paris.

Haven't been to Antwerp for years, so can't comment, except I remember loving the place.

michele_d

With 7 days I would manage one day trip, but with only four days I would definitely stay in Paris. There is so much to do there. If you need a little quiet time, then head to Luxembourg Gardens (or any other) park for a few hours. It's relaxing and helps you recharge a bit.

Michael

If a day trip within the four days, Versailles would be the choice. At any rate, separate day trips to Versailles and Giverny are in order rather than staying in either town overnight.

Avalon2

I adore Antwerp We stayed near the harbor I don't know about public transport as I have a friend who lives there/We enjoyed everything we saw.Rubens House the major city museum harbor museum the grand place and The Train Station is magnificent!!

Gretchen

For 4 days in Paris, NO day trip. Seven days, maybe one and if you must 2.

nytraveler

Stay in Paris and do day trips to Versailles (only 30 minutes away) and Giverney - but make sure you have at least 4 full days - and preferably more in Paris itself.

Can't comment on Antwerp since I haven't been there - but I would think 2 days is plenty.

If you only have 6 or 7 days all togehter I would stay in Paris for all and just do the 2 day trips.

hpluss1

Thanks Avalon2! We'll check out all those museums. We're going to go to Amsterdam and Antwerp first, and then a full week in Paris. So excited! Any parks in any of those cities that anyone would recommend? Any personal favorites? Thanks again.

StCirq

What sort of parks? Paris has dozens.

BigRuss

Last check, in Paris there's a park right near, or surrounding, some rather tall metallic structure (some call it a Tower, named after a gent named Gustave something-or-other) with a hideously expensive restaurant inside named after one of the progenitors of modern science fiction.

Seemed to be fairly popular.

FrenchMystiqueTours

BigRuss- I believe that's just scaffolding for something that never got built.

FrenchMystiqueTours

hpluss1 - There are some 300+ parks and gardens in Paris ranging from huge places like the Bois de Boulogne to tiny little gardens tucked between buildings. This link from the Paris tourist office website will have info about all the major ones:

http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-sights...s-and-gardens/

I'll mention a few of the major ones. On the outskirts of both eastern and western Paris are huge woods (bigger than Central Park in NYC) called the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne. Loads of walking trails, man made lakes where you can boat and other attractions. Within the Bois de Boulogne is the Parc de Bagatelle, which I think is the most beautiful park in Paris (rose gardens, fantasy like grottos etc.).

A few of the largest and most visited parks and gardens in Paris itself would be:

1) Jardin des Tuileries - adjacent to the Louvre

2) Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower, er, scaffolding.

3) Parc des Buttes Chaumont

4) Parc de Belleville

5) Jardin de Luxembourg

6) Parc Monceau

7) Jardin des Plantes

There are loads of others but these are probably the biggest and most well known, though there are other lovely ones.

hpluss1

Thanks! Yeah we did a different park everyday with repeated visits to our three favorites, Luxembourg, Tuileries, and Place des Vosges. We also loved the Cite des Enfants and the parks around that for our 18 month old. Paris definitely the best parks. Thanks for the tips!

hpluss1

@StCirq fyi I did meet some people who had stayed in Versailles for several days as part of a tour and loved it, so I guess it is a city/town and there are nice places to stay there. We visited for a day trip only though, and loved it. We didn't visit Giverny because Parisian friends with kids told us its not good for an 18 month old and our 8 days in paris were full so we didn't need to go there anyway.