We are planning a day trip from Paris to Chantilly and Senlis. We would like to travel directly to Senlis in the morning, followed by an afternoon at the Chantilly Chateau, before returning to Paris. I know that there is a train from Paris Gare du Nord to Chantilly Gouvieux, where we can catch a bus to/from Senlis, which passes by the Chateau. My question is about the availability of taxis. We will be two families, with three 8 year olds, and the time saved, energy conserved, and whining delayed (dare I say prevented) by travel between Gouvieux, Senlis, and Chateau by taxi would be worth whatever it would cost. Google suggests there are local taxi companies, but what I really want, is for someone with personal experience to (hopefully) confirm that they are readily available. That is, can we expect to get off the train at Gouvieux and find taxis waiting to take us to Senlis? And, in Senlis, can we expect to find taxis readily available to take us to the Chantilly Chateau?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
You should get the numbers from the internet and have your hotel in Paris call ahead to have the taxis waiting for you. I took the train to Chantilly but don't remember is any were waiting for passengers at the station. This is commuting distance.
When we travel to small towns in France, this is what we, and the locals, do.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
795 posts
I would hate to pay that bill! The train is faster and kids can move around and enjoy the train which keeps down whining.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
No .. it is highly unlikely there will be a taxi at Chantilly Gouvieux. I have taken the train there many many times.. have relatives nearby.. they always pick me up... I do not think I have ever seen a taxi waiting there.. however you may be able to call one on arrival. I would not count on it. I would count on bus . They are not super frequent however/ sorry not sure of schedule.
I did used to have a private taxi companys card.. sorry lost it.. and she was a lovely lady with a mini van.. if I find will let you know.
I think you should count on buses and trains.. kids usually like train rides and the bus rides are not too too long.. promise the kids you will buy them strawberries and the best whipped cream ever( Chantilly of course) when you get to the palace.. cute café in garden.. and a simple play ground nearby to let off some steam.
You will likely have better luck finding a taxi in Senlis.. its bigger.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
FOUND the site for the taxi service I had to use once.. my relatives called her when they were too sick to drive me to airport.
She is very nice.. only speaks a bit of English.. but taxi was clean, air conditioned and she had cold water bottles for us and candy.. and van will seat 7 so you may all fit.
www.taxi-salvadori-lamorlaye.fr/contact
She is based out of Lamorlaye.. which is where my relatives lived.. buts that's only like 10 minutes from train station so no biggie. Whether she is willing to do everything you wish you will have to check.. perhaps hire her for the day if rich..
She was a nice safe driver and as I said.. its was a comfy van.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
Let me clarify, you should have the hotel call ahead and have the taxi waiting for you at the train station. You can probably set up your schedule and have the taxi shuttle you between your venues. We have done that before when visiting family and having to move between different villages.
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas
43 posts
Thanks for the very helpful replies so far. To be clear, Terri Lynn, we will take the train from Paris to Chantilly. The issue is transportation from Chantilly to Senlis, Senlis to the Chateau, and the Chateau to the train station for the return trip to Paris. Bets, great suggestion about having our hotel call ahead for us, but we are staying in an apartment and are our own concierge. Pat, thanks for the link to taxi salvadori. Sounds like we should take the connecting bus from Chantilly to Senlis and then see what we find there. As a twist on Bets suggestion, when ready to leave Senlis for the Chantilly Chateau, if no taxis are readily available, we could go to a hotel there and ask them to call us a taxi.