We're planning our first trip to Paris. We have 10 days. Any suggestions as to where to go beside Paris?

Hi<BR>what time of year are you going?<BR><BR>The most popular daytrips are Versailles, Chartres, Giverny. Giverny is open April-Oct I think; gardens are at their peak in the summer. Ditto Versailles, but Versailles is worth a trip for sure even in winter.<BR>If you wanted to go somewhere for 3-4 days, you could drive through the Loire Valley and visit the chateaux. You can actually visit a chateau even via a day trip, but it's a long day. Ditto some of the Normandie area.<BR><BR>If you search here for any of the above topics you will find information including transportation options.<BR>I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.

I always admire Elaine's recommendations because they seem so much on target. But this time, I would definitely add Fontainebleau to her list. In fact, most people I know consider Fontainebleau, when you take the whole experience into account, superior to Versailles. As a favorite village to visit, I'd also recommend Senlis, northeast of Paris.

A visit to Senlis would be logically accompanied by one to the Chateau de Chantilly, since the bus you catch at the station stops there on the way.<BR><BR>I would have to say, however, that our favorite day trips have been to Vaux-le-Vicomte and Auvers sur Oise, highlight of the latter being the impressionist presentation at the Auvers Chateau.

Agree w/above choices, many which are chateaux. If you're into cathedrals, my favorite is Chartres, but to the north you also have Beauvais (w/its fantastic astrologic clock) Amiens and Reims.

Bruge in Belgium.

Vaux le Vicomte and Fonatainebleau can be done in one day freelance. I did it last September. The drawback to freelancing Vaux le Vicomte is transportation. By the time you pay the taxi fare from the rail station to the chateau and return, plus the train fares and bus fares for 2 or more people, I think you could rent a car and drive it more cheaply and certainly more conveniently. <BR><BR>On the plus side, both places are slices of French history, with Vaux being an architectural masterpiece.<BR><BR>Fontainebleau alone as a free lance is a piece of cake. Ride the express train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau, take the city bus from the rail station to the chateau gates, and tour at your leisure.<BR>The bus runs frequently and the city has grown up around the chateau. The shopping area is pleasant to stroll through and there are numerous places to eat and drink.<BR> <BR>