The parameters.
Spend 2 nights in one place -- accessible by train (no more than 2 hours, walkable, historic etc... Prefer smaller town to larger city.

Restaurant & hotel recommendations welcomed! [in the 100€ category for the later]

We've always wanted to spend the night in Chartres, but open to suggestions.

Hi sf,

When are you going?

You might want to consider
Bordeaux, Dijon, Beaune,

Sorry -- late October.

Bordeaux is 3 hr away.

Beaune and Dijon about 1 1/2.

All would be good for late Oct.

How about a town a bit smaller?

I'd prefer a smaller town -- something like Chartres or Provins or??

Boy, you guys are tough.

How about Fontainbleau?

See also http://www.sitesatlas.com/Europe/France/mfraint.htm

Smaller that Beaune? It's pretty small, at least the "walled town".

And I'm not sure why you're asking. If you always wanted to stay at Chartres, then why not? Sounds perfect for what you want!

Well Patrick -- I figured if anyone could give us a better idea -- it would be here

The only hestitancy on Chartres is that I have been there recently, although it was a quicker trip that I would have liked -- I'll take a look at Beaune.

Troyes might be a good option. It has a fairly extensive old town, a cathedral worth a visit, and a superlative museum of tools of nineteenth century trades. For eating, we liked Le Bistroquet.

We'll be visiting Amboise and Chinon soon - both have historic chateaux in their midst, river views, and famous personages associated with them (Amboise- da Vinci, Chinon- Joan d'Arc)...

Travelnut, if you are going to be in the Loire, try and work in a dinner at Le Cheval Blanc, a ***hotel in Blere. StCirq recommended the place and it is just terrefic...one of the best meals we had on our trip, very reasonable too.

Regarding Troyes, we spent three nights a little south in the cute town of St Florentin at the hotel Le Grand Chauminiere. Marvelous place, great meals, one Michelin star. I'd rteturn there in a heartbeat. One could train into Troyes or Auxerre and rent a car.

Thanks, RonZ... it's our first time in a rental car in France so... I just hope we find our way back to the hotel everyday!