day trips from Paris

sonya · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:54 AM

Any suggestions for day trips from Paris? Thank you!

mcbg1 · Jun 20th, 2008, 12:15 PM

Versailles is a great and easy daytrip you could do. I loved it there.

Alidoll · Jun 20th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Really depends on what you are interested in! Here's a couple NW of Paris that can be reached by the Metro in about 45 minutes;

Disneyland is a fun day out (if you have kids)

La Vallee - designer outlet mall for cut price fashion (one stop from Disneyland).

Longchamp · Jun 21st, 2008, 12:58 AM

Normandy--WWII beaches, Versaille, Giverny, Castles of Loire Valley--Chenonceau--beautiful, Chateau Fontainebleau, Chateau Vaux le Vicomte--where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker married; Chateau de Chambord or Reims (champagne region), Chartres.

Just outside Paris proper is a cemetery Pere Lachaise with many famous people buried there and some cool headstones.

The flea markets in Paris are great Port de Vanves market, Marche Aux Puces St Ouen (cligancourt)

mundodabolsa · Jun 21st, 2008, 04:09 PM

lots of pretty chateaux are day trips from paris, pretty much the entire loire valley. I'd go to chambord for sure. villandry has beautiful gardens.

blois also has a castle which is nice and the little town is great for a quick visit/lunch. i'm pretty sure on the same day as blois we went to vaux le vicomte, but I remember it being closed so it's important to check if/when it's open.

definitely giverny if you're going during nice weather.

about 90 km or so from paris is chartres, which has a stunning cathedral.

and if you're willing to spend a night away, I'd go to mont st michel. it's about 4-5 hours away from paris so that's too much to go and come back on the same day I think, but it's worth it if you can drive back the next morning.

mnshopgirl32 · Jun 22nd, 2008, 09:56 PM

From Paris, I've taken day trips to London, Euro Disney, Versailles, and Bruges. Versailles and Bruges are especially good if the weather's nice.

alannamendy · Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcbg1

Versailles is a great and easy daytrip you could do. I loved it there.

It is such an easy trip on the commuter rail. The building itself is amazing but the grounds are truly one of a kind. Everything is so lavish - designed to make a lasting first impression on all who see it. Versailles is great especially if you want to take a day trip but still have energy to go out for dinner and wine that night - don't miss it!

_bella_ · Jun 24th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Giverny is worth the trip in rain or shine! In fact, when it's a little rainy it's a little less crowded.

NY_fashionista · Jun 24th, 2008, 04:39 PM

If you like champagne, you can get to the Champagne-Ardenne region now with the new TGV in about an hour. I was there in April and toured a couple of the champagne houses (with tastings, of course). Reims is a cute town with a beautiful cathedral and some good restaurants.

horsetrader · Jun 25th, 2008, 06:43 PM

If you like horses, visit Chantilly. It is only a 30 minute train ride from Paris. It is a lovely little area, famous mostly for horses and cream. There is a truly amazing place "musee du cheval" - museum of horses that is built in a former stable, that is grander than the chateau attached to it. There is a whole room of Hermes scarves in the museum with an equestrian theme, amongst other amazing things.

There is a beautiful horse ring that has been set up in what was a formal chapel I think. Incredible dressage demonsations are performed there. I once saw a duet between a horse, being commanded from the ground, and a ballerina.

Even if you're not horse crazy, the Chantilly parks and architecture are lovely. The chateau is beautiful to tour, and not too big - it has a great art collection in it.

The truth is, I haven't found a day trip from Paris that isn't totally enchanting. Enjoy your travels!

Roo · Jun 25th, 2008, 06:51 PM

Chartres is a great day trip if you like history. Be sure and book the guided tour from Mr. Malcom Miller. He's a Chartres expert and somewhat of a legend there. He's a man from the UK who has spent something like 30 years studying the cathedral. You can email him directly to find out when he is giving his tours: millercharters@aol.com

mellecyn · Jun 26th, 2008, 08:28 AM

Versailles !! (Château de Versailles) The castle is breathtaking and a symbol in french history.

ztainthecity · Jun 27th, 2008, 09:34 AM

I've been to Versailles...I am an avid learner in French HIstory and I loooved Versailles! Next time I plan to go to Giverny for the beauty as well as Monet's home.

Normandy would be spectacular, so much WW2 history as someone had previously noted.

Jun 20th, 2008, 11:54 AM	#1
sonya Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,634	day trips from Paris Any suggestions for day trips from Paris? Thank you!

Jun 25th, 2008, 06:51 PM	#11
Roo Up to the Minute Mod Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Rue Roo Posts: 9,086	Chartres is a great day trip if you like history. Be sure and book the guided tour from Mr. Malcom Miller. He's a Chartres expert and somewhat of a legend there. He's a man from the UK who has spent something like 30 years studying the cathedral. You can email him directly to find out when he is giving his tours: millercharters@aol.com __________________ Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

Jun 26th, 2008, 08:28 AM	#12
mellecyn Take me to LV Joined: Feb 2006 Location: 300 km from LV somewhere in Europe Posts: 2,285	Versailles !! (Château de Versailles) The castle is breathtaking and a symbol in french history. __________________ "Pardon my French", euh I mean "English" MelleCyn "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete" Buckminster Fuller

Jun 27th, 2008, 09:34 AM	#13
ztainthecity Member Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 155	I've been to Versailles...I am an avid learner in French HIstory and I loooved Versailles! Next time I plan to go to Giverny for the beauty as well as Monet's home. Normandy would be spectacular, so much WW2 history as someone had previously noted. __________________ I want a Galliera!!

Jun 20th, 2008, 12:15 PM	#2
mcbg1 Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 869	Versailles is a great and easy daytrip you could do. I loved it there.

Jun 20th, 2008, 04:30 PM	#3
Alidoll Member Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 499	Really depends on what you are interested in! Here's a couple NW of Paris that can be reached by the Metro in about 45 minutes; Disneyland is a fun day out (if you have kids) La Vallee - designer outlet mall for cut price fashion (one stop from Disneyland).

Jun 21st, 2008, 12:58 AM	#4
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,130	Normandy--WWII beaches, Versaille, Giverny, Castles of Loire Valley--Chenonceau--beautiful, Chateau Fontainebleau, Chateau Vaux le Vicomte--where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker married; Chateau de Chambord or Reims (champagne region), Chartres. Just outside Paris proper is a cemetery Pere Lachaise with many famous people buried there and some cool headstones. The flea markets in Paris are great Port de Vanves market, Marche Aux Puces St Ouen (cligancourt)

Jun 21st, 2008, 04:09 PM	#5
mundodabolsa Member Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,019	lots of pretty chateaux are day trips from paris, pretty much the entire loire valley. I'd go to chambord for sure. villandry has beautiful gardens. blois also has a castle which is nice and the little town is great for a quick visit/lunch. i'm pretty sure on the same day as blois we went to vaux le vicomte, but I remember it being closed so it's important to check if/when it's open. definitely giverny if you're going during nice weather. about 90 km or so from paris is chartres, which has a stunning cathedral. and if you're willing to spend a night away, I'd go to mont st michel. it's about 4-5 hours away from paris so that's too much to go and come back on the same day I think, but it's worth it if you can drive back the next morning.

Jun 22nd, 2008, 09:56 PM	#6
mnshopgirl32 THAT GIRL! Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,048	From Paris, I've taken day trips to London, Euro Disney, Versailles, and Bruges. Versailles and Bruges are especially good if the weather's nice.

Jun 24th, 2008, 09:00 AM	#8
_bella_ swimmin w/the fishes Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Republic of Cocktailand Posts: 2,515	Giverny is worth the trip in rain or shine! In fact, when it's a little rainy it's a little less crowded.

Jun 24th, 2008, 04:39 PM	#9
NY_fashionista Shopping Sherpa Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Handbag Rehab Posts: 442	If you like champagne, you can get to the Champagne-Ardenne region now with the new TGV in about an hour. I was there in April and toured a couple of the champagne houses (with tastings, of course). Reims is a cute town with a beautiful cathedral and some good restaurants.

Jun 25th, 2008, 06:43 PM	#10
horsetrader Member Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Canadian wine country Posts: 136	If you like horses, visit Chantilly. It is only a 30 minute train ride from Paris. It is a lovely little area, famous mostly for horses and cream. There is a truly amazing place "musee du cheval" - museum of horses that is built in a former stable, that is grander than the chateau attached to it. There is a whole room of Hermes scarves in the museum with an equestrian theme, amongst other amazing things. There is a beautiful horse ring that has been set up in what was a formal chapel I think. Incredible dressage demonsations are performed there. I once saw a duet between a horse, being commanded from the ground, and a ballerina. Even if you're not horse crazy, the Chantilly parks and architecture are lovely. The chateau is beautiful to tour, and not too big - it has a great art collection in it. The truth is, I haven't found a day trip from Paris that isn't totally enchanting. Enjoy your travels!