Hi lufty - still prefer your first choice. We loved both Bath and Rouen and while not a mediveal village, it still would make for a great little day trip. It's an easy train ride from Paris and the station is a short walk from the heart of the action, which is fairly compact and fun to walk.

What about Chartres?

Or - are you driving? If so, then why not include Rouen (not a village) and take in Lyons-la-Foret (definitely a village) en route?

StCirq has it right: Senlis. It's not heavily visited, is near Paris, and has high charm.

How about Fontainbleu?

Which train do you take from Paris to Fontainbleau? Thanks.

Jay,
Thanks for the Fontainebleu thought. I went there the last time we were in Paris and it was great. If I recall, to get to Fontainebleu I took the RER to the Fontainebleu-Avon station. It was about an hour ride. Not bad at all.

cigalechanta: As someone else posted, it's about an hour by train rom Paris-Nord to Senlis, with a change in Chantilly. An excursion to Senlis could be combined with a visit to the chateau at Chantilly.

Thanks to everyone for their ideas. I think we have narrowed our choices down to Perouges or Senlis. We are going in March and will happily post a report when I get back. Merci a tout le monde.

This may not be medieval but you might do a little research on Bayeaux. On the other hand, there were lots of tourists, so it may not be off the beaten path.

Have a look at Reims, a university large town, with wonderful cathedrals etc !!!!! not so far from Paris

And don't forget the champagne caves and tours in Reims.

I loved Rouen, as it had its quaint older section, but, at the same time is a living, breathing city. I once made a daytrip of Senlis (ultra-quaint, but a bit museum-like) and the Chantilly Chateau. That was nice. Giverny makes a nice daytrip from Paris, if Monet's house interests you.