Side trips from Paris
 

HELP11111
We are planning a trip to Paris and plan to spend about 4 days in the city. We have been there 3 times already and know their is plenty to see and revisit. We need a day outside of Paris before we head to Province. We have been in the past to Versailles.
I have looked at possible sites to visit as being Chartres or Reims. What does the FORUM consider the best of these two sites and other possible suggestions? We would appreciate your help. Many thanks

Both are good choices but is this an 'on your way' stop or a day trip ? Someplace close & easily accessible via the RER is St. Germain-en-Laye. http://www.saintgermainenlaye.fr/

a day trip to Giverny

Laon. Small but exquisite cathedral, delightful funicular ride from the train station to the old town, fewer tourists. If you go, be sure to get an early train that goes directly (you don't want to change trains and you do want to be there when the restaurants are open for lunch). Best of all, you will have bragging rights for years to come because few Americans have even heard of the town. Wherever you choose to go, you can buy your train tickets at one of the SNCF boutiques and skip paying service charges or lines at the train station.

I second the recommendation of Monet's home at Giverny.

There's a book: "An Hour from Paris," by Annabel Simms, that has several places to consider for day or half day trips out of Paris.
http://www.annabelsimms.com/index.html

I love Reims, the cathedral is magnificent and a stop in at one of the champagne houses is fun for us!

Poetess, you have me intrigued with Laon. My husband and I adored our trip to Provins on a quiet day when we seemed to have beat the bulk of the tourist crowds.