What to do around Paris?
 

After staying in Paris for 3 to 4 days,we would love to see Normandy, Reims, Limoges, Strasbourg. There is just not enough time. Please give me some ideas,
thoughts, etc. about where to go, where not to go in that general area, east and west of Paris. Normandy is a must however.

Thx!

How many days do you have? In any case, Limoges is not a destination town, although it has a very important porcelain museum.

Have you been to Paris before? If not, 3 or 4 days is not nearly enough time to see and experience all the wonders that Paris offers. How much time do you have? Normandy is wonderful and in 3 or 4 days there, you can see some of this lovely and historic area. There is lots of information on this forum and by using the search function you can decide on day trips from Paris. Some of the best are Giverny, Chartres, and Versailles.

Do you like the Impressionists? A trip to Giverny and Chatou is quite doable in your time frame. Getting in and out of Paris via car is time-consuming and even a little harrowing. Reims and some of the champagne region is a fun trip from Paris too. The cathedral is awesome and doing a tour of a famous champagne house such as Moet and Chandon is a fun day. The train is available and easy to go to Chatou from Paris. It is a small hamlet on the Seine where many Impressionists went for fun and relaxation to paint. The Luncheon of the Boating Party was painted there.

If you have 2-3 weeks, you can visit Normandy, the Champagne region, and Alsace-Lorraine. How much time do you have and how would you be traveling?

Where not to go - Limoges.

Just returned from Fla. and was so happy to see all of your replies. To
clarify my original question, we will be in France for only 10 days, but plan to be in Paris 3-4 days. It sounds like Limoges isn't really a great destination, so that's out. There is so much to see, so little time. My Hubby would love to also go
to Brugge but I think that is altogether another trip. Best to concentrate on France, so in addition
to Paris, what other great places would
you recommend based on my time
constraints. We are happy to travel by
car, train etc.... Giverny is a must,
Normandy a definate so far.

Thanks to you all,
Dandy

Hi d,

>...we will be in France for only 10 days, but plan to be in Paris 3-4 days.

I strongly urge you to reconsider.

I suggest a week in Paris and 2-3 days in Normandy.

((I))

Can you expand on your interest in Normandy?

So you have 10 days total, and 3-4 of them in Paris, leaving 6 days for other French destinations?

Well, there's no way you can reasonably visit Strasbourg and Reims and Normandy in 6 days. Strasbourg and Normandy are on opposite sides of the country.

I would rethink your plans and spend 6 days in Paris (if you wanted to do a daytrip to Reims, that would definitely be feasible) and 4 days in either Alsace or Normandy. Since you say Normandy is a must, there goes Strasbourg!

take a train , go to Carcassonne for 3 days , and remain in Paris for the rest of your holiday.You'll LOVE Carcassonne , it's gorgeous !ask for it on Google , on the pictures you'll see what I mean!
Or go 1 day to Chantilly (not the whip cream , the castle!) , to the Abbaye de Royaumont and Auvers sur Oise , to Provins , you'll have seen really good stuff , Middle Ages , XIXth century , Impressionists within an hour's drive frm the city.

With all due respect to Sophie, I don't think anyone would love Carcassonne for three days, especially in high season when you can hardly elbow your way through the crowds. There are plenty of things to see in the vicinity of Carcassonne that are very appealing, but you can't get to them without a car.

Since the OP said Normandy was a must, I think it only makes sense to steer her there rather than places she probably hasn't even considered.