France Itinerary suggestions

Are you staying 4 days in Paris, and then asking for suggestions as to the 4 days after Paris?

Yes, Kent. 4 days in Paris and then another 4 days in France.

The areas I'd recommend would be Burgundy or the Loire (assuming that your cruise "takes care of" Normandy for this trip). Problem is, both are best seen by car once you get there. You could train to either Dijon or Tours and rent a car to explore either of those mostly rural areas, if driving is at all an option.

Another choice might be Lyon, I haven't been there but several on this board like it very much.

Or, perhaps stay in Paris and take day trips by train to places like Giverny, Chartres, Fontainebleau, Reims. You could make some of those overnights. Ina Caro's Paris to the Past describes many destinations reachable as a day or overnight trip by train.

What time of year will you be traveling?

Amboise, 2 nights, would work. Some of the other chateaus are in the country, whereas the rail lines mostly follow the river and you have to get other transportation to the country chateaus.
Other historical locations located near rail routes include Chartres (the cathedral), Reims (the cathedral), and Epernay.

Andrea, in France 11th to 18th Aug. Train on the 19th to Belgium

Perhaps Strasbourg and Colmar on your way to Belgium.

We stayed in Amboise for 3 nights after leaving Paris last summer and loved it! Very pretty village on the beautiful Loire river with easy access to many chateaux. If you are heading to Belgium, Alsace might be a better option for you. Colmar is a delightful city with cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. Perfect if you enjoy walking in historical, picturesque locations!

Some backtracking by train will probably be necessary, regardless of your "more France" destination, unless you head toward Lille. Colmar is a great destination and only 3 hours by direct TGV train from Paris. Train connections from Colmar to Ghent require 2 or 3 changes, often with a return to Paris and a station transfer there (or a few departures connect at Charles de Gaulle or Lille, instead). How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it (but does not sell French tickets).

France travel tends to spoke out from Paris so most places you would go would have you coming back to Paris before heading by THalys for Belgium. Seriously consider spending those 8 nights in Paris (and in Paris not Versailles) If you feel that is too much, there are literally dozens of wonderful day trips within an hour of Paris e.g. Versailles, Auvers sur Oise, Chartres, Reims, Rouen, Crecy la Chapelle, Senlis etc, but 8 nights 7 days is also easily filled to the brim in Paris.

Or consider heading to Tours in the Loire for a couple of days where you can hook up with van tours of the major chateaux. I love Burgundy but this is an area that really needs a car. I don't see a gain by training to Dijon or Lyon without access to a car over spending time in Paris and then visiting some of the easily day tripped cities in the region.

From your valuable suggestions, we are now planning on staying in Paris for 6 days, taking day-train trips to, for example, Versailles, Reims. Additionally, we'll train to Amboise, staying a couple of days. We'll hire a car in Amboise or take van tour to explore the Loire Valley. 8 days in all.

Everyone, thank you so much. Lorraine