Side trips from Paris
 

We are 2 junior college students travelling to Paris Feb. 29-March 9. I have been to Paris with my parents last year (3 days) but this will be the 1st time for my friend. What will be the best side trips to take either within France or Europe and how (train or fly)? We're thinking of Amsterdam or Versailles/Chartres or Nice. Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

Hi C,

Well if you get really bored with Paris, I suggest

Chartres, Auxerre, Fontainbleau, Malmaison

Train schedules are at www.voyages-sncf.com

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

It really depends what you want to do on this side trip and what you are interested in. Versailles is more a single attraction that is just in the immediate suburbs of Paris rather than what I'd call a real side trip. YOu can get there by suburban train in less than a half hour. SO it isn't really comparable to cities like Amsterdam or Nice.

It really depends on how you are leaving the trip, also -- I am presuming you already have a flight in and out of Paris. So that would pretty much rule Nice out, it's much too far away by train. Sure, you could fly to/from Nice as the flight is less than two hours, but do you really want to do that and spend that money when there are a zillion places closer to Paris where you wouldn't need to book a special flight? I wouldn't.

Amsterdam isn't a bad idea as it's not that far away by high-speed train and will give you a taste of a different country. A lot of college students want to go there, I presume it's because you've heard it's easy to get drugs there, that's the usual attraction.

Hi cheryl8,

I guess there are two ways of looking at this. You could get to Paris, find that there is so much to see and do that you don't want to leave...or that you have a bit of time and you want to stay in Paris and do day trips. Versailles, Chartres, Reims, Vaux le Vicomte, Loire/St Michel become possibilities. Take a train or an organized tour (like Cityrame and Parisvision, both based out of central Paris). I've been ot Paris multiple times and always can fill my time, but it may be different for you.

If you know up front that 5/6 days in Paris will be enough, Amsterdam and London would be good possibilities (open jaw flights from there?)

That time of the year, I might want to head south. Nice/Avignon/Cannes are possibilities. I might also suggest Lyon, on the TGV line from Paris. University town, scenic (ontwo rivers), UNESCO designated Old Town, roman arena on hill overlooking city, outstanding grecco-roman museum, often called culinary capital of France, not too expensive, Alps nearby,etc... Three/four days would be enough to cover the city. But, not on Med, so no lounging at the beach.

Thanks, Ira, Christina and Michael. Ira, we stayed at Bonaparte last year as my mom liked your recommendation; great choice. Christina, we're considering Amsterdam bec. of the canals, A. Frank's house, change of scenery. It should be safe for 2 young ladies in Amsterdam, right? Michael, thank you so much....I am highly considering Lyon and Nice.

I am trying to check sked and price of tickets for travels coming from Paris to within France and Europe. When I clicked the ff. url for English, it kicked me to Rail Europe which I heard I have to pay more. Can I go directly and buy ticket from SNCF web? Thanks.
http://sncf.com/index.php?LANG=en_EN

Try this http://preview.tinyurl.com/ypg3eo

How weird, the link changed after I gave it. It seems they are changing things on it. Wait and see....

I too am traveling from Paris to Nice next month and i'm wondering what your thoughts on are flying vs. taking the train. There are some very inexpensive flights from Paris to Nice (cheaper than the train!) and it seems like since it's over a 5 hour journey by train, I would maximize my time by flying. Although, I hear that sometimes taking the train can be beautiful and worth while. Any thoughts on this? I only have 10 days total in France so I want to use every minute to the best I can!

Marisak,
I was given great advice last year during planning our trip to Europe - to be sure to include all the time in getting to the airport in advance etc in calculations of time. I have found that gettign to the airport 1.5 - 2 hours ahead, etc it will take a good 3-4 hours to travel kwim?

I have no idea of the landscape between the two cities. I was underwhelmed by the landscape between Paris and Montruex Switzerland until we were in Switzerland for the most part.