We are planning to visit Paris in May, would like to stay six days and then 3 days in another city. Thinking perhaps Bordeaux, or perhaps Avignon, we would like to travel by train within three hours of Paris. Love to have a contrast from the large bustling city.
All suggestions welcome. We like to wind down a little, enjoy the neighborhoods, love architecture, food, history. Thanks for your input.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4976 posts
Rick has suggested daytrips, anything sound interesting? Normandy, Strausbourg, Alsace?
Posted by
Chicago
623 posts
I did the same in 2012. I stayed in Paris for six days and spent a couple days in Chartres to get out of the city. The town's famed pilgrim cathedral -- among the most famous in Europe -- draws a lot of visitors, but there's a lot more. Chartres is charming, has two other cathedrals/churches many visitors never see, a stained glass museum (and workshop) and beautiful medieval architecture. I had my dinner outside on the town square and could have stayed forever. Chartres is only 1 hour, 15 - 30 minutes from the city.
Another idea is the Normandy region about 2 hours west-northwest of Paris. I stayed in Bayeux as part of a second trip to Paris and nearby. it's a relatively small, relaxed town, yet has plenty of eateries. You could book an all-day tour of the D-Day sites -- which typically encompass a dozen or so sites -- or rent a car and see them on your own. Back in town, the 11th century Bayeux Tapestry will make your jaw drop. And you could also book a tour of the legendary Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, which is also jaw dropping. Also, the World War II museum in nearby Caen is probably the best in Europe. A battle between the Allies and Axis resulted in 200,000 casualties.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Craig thank you for such a detailed response, it sounds very enticing, it is hard to choose. I have just been looking over Carcassonne, more difficult to get to but also looks like immersing in a time gone by. It is going to be very hard to choose.
Posted by
Michigan
32 posts
I'd say Reims (lovely food hall, champagne, cathedral) or Strasbourg (food, cathedral, wine, ambiance..walk bridge over to Germany)