I'm visiting Paris for the fourth time in mid-May and I'd like to do more than just the regular sightseeing. Does anyone know where I can take a 2-3 hour horseback ride either in Paris or its suburbs? Any recommendations on taking a cheap cooking class or wine-tasting lesson? Maybe a behind the scenes tour or a unique eating experience? How 'bout an interesting (inexpensive) side trip (aside from Versailles or Rouen)? All ideas welcome! Thanks!

Since you mention horses, you might be interested in going to Chantilly to see the chateau, but more interestingly to see the horse "school" and museum there that are housed in the most spectacular stables you ever saw. Short train train, and then walk or take a bus there.

We also found the suburb of Conflans St. Honorine to be very interesting. Lots of canal boaats there -- in fact an entire community of them including a church on one you visit.

You can go horseback riding in the Bois de Boulogne. Do a google search and you'll get plenty of hits.

There is an ex-pat American who lives there...and for a relatively small price, you can join his group for dinner. I'll bet someone on Fodor's knows who this gentleman is... my memory is working on it...

Jim Haynes??? I want to be his guest....

I believe you're right... If I'd just leave Fodors for a moment, I'd go google him.
Also, on Thursdays at the Cafe Corona readers of Metropole Paris meet from 3:00 to 5:00... that's a nice time, to meet readers of the e-mag from all over the world and some of the resident Parisians who just want to gather with english speaking folks!

You may like to try a day trip to Louviers. Just a small village with a lovely cathedral and some really old houses. I took a few photos last October which can be found on Fodors if you click on my name.
Susan Loomis of "Tarte Tatin" book fame has a cooking school there and was my reason for going to Louviers after reading her books.
You will find all the details on her website.
I loved the train ride from Gare St.Lazare then the bus into Louviers itself - although I did not attend any cooking classes I got a good look at her wonderful house.

There are two day-trip ideas I'll mention. One is to visit the Château de Compiégne, a royal residence built for Louis XV and restored by Napoleon. We happened upon this by accident (long story) and were amazed at the size and beauty of this château. Tours are conducted in French, unless they've changed since we were there a couple of years ago. Compiégne is approx. 75 km north of Paris (50 min by train). The town is medium sized (40,000+) and offers other things to see/do as well. Decent restaruants, nice little slice of French life outside Paris. http://www.compiegne.fr for more info.

The other trip that might be of interest is to Chartres. The gothic cathedral there is quite impressive and they offer tours of in English. The town is worth a look. There's a great wine shop near the cathedral where you can ask questions and get all sorts of advice on what wines to bring back home as gifts, as well as a number of lovely shops and restaurants. Chartres is southeast of Paris and I seem to recall the train ride being about 45 min.

http://www.chartres.com/