We would like to do day trip from Paris to Belgium. Any day from December 30 to January 3.
Wondering which train times to chose in morning and evening as it will be in winter and will get dark early. Or are there more than 1 station to catch train from?
What attractions to see or what to eat in Brussels (any thing special)?
Thank You
Wondering which train times to chose in morning and evening as it will
be in winter and will get dark early.
Whichever you feel like. Darkness doesn't affect the train schedule.
Or are there more than 1 station to catch train from?
No, trains to Brussels leave from Gare du Nord.
or what to eat in Brussels (any thing special)?
Moules frites. (And chocolate!)
Take the train that leaves Paris at around 8 AM and arrives in Brussels shortly after 9. The two earlier ones are usually more expensive -- I think because they are used by business travelers though I don't know this for a fact because I have never taken them because they cost two to three times as much as the 8 AM train. As to returning, when I do a day trip, I usually sign up for the penultimate train so that if I miss it, I can get on the last one.
The best fries I ever had in my life I had in Brussels and I bought them from a food truck type situation.
There are some Thalys trains that go to Antwerp, rather than Brussels. Unless you want to go to one of the major art museums in Brussels, you might have just as much (or more) fun in Antwerp for the day. (Of course, I'd want to spend the night, rather than rush back to Paris.) I would pay for a high-speed train to make the most of a one-day trip.
Antwerp has such a variety of things to do that it is better if you do some planning. Brussels' attractions are a bit more central, so you can just walk around, although a planned walk will avoid wasting time in a city you've never been to before.
It's risky to just say so without a little current (post-Covid) checking, but many museums tend to close on Mondays.
Regarding the day you select for your trip- keep in mind that Dec 31 is New Years Eve. Won't you have plans for that evening in Paris? The next day, Jan 1, is New Years Day and dollars to donuts most places will be closed.
As for what to see; I'm puzzled why you would pick a place for a day trip without first knowing what it was you wanted to see. I've no idea what sort of things interest you, but for starters you could look a Rick's list in the Explore Europe section. Personally I'd pick one of the other Belgian towns like Ghent or Bruges; but at least Brussels is a slightly shorter trip.
Thank You everyone for the replies. Much appreciated.
JHK - are you a travel guide? You understand the mind of the person asking question and your answers are well researched.
We want to visit Belgium as to visit another country especially just being 1 1/2 hour away from Paris. I have heard about Belgium waffles and Belgian chocolates. I guess other things to see would be museums and historic places.
I did not know that most places in Belgium and Paris will be closed on January 1.
We are wondering what to do for Dec 31/New Year's eve with a child and even for dinner? I have to start working on Itinerary.
I am not a travel guide. I take that as a compliment. I am lawyer and have been one for the past 23 years more or less. I've traveled a lot to Europe and I am used to juggling my wants, my husbands totally different preferences and our two children's out of the box wants for our personal travel and dealing with all of kinds of stuff on my formerly frequent business travel. And I want people to have the trip they want not the trip I think they should have or one that I did.
I am no expert on Brussels... But we spent 1 night there this past July (2022) to see The Rolling Stones at King Baudouin Stadium. We took the train from Avignon to Brussels and then a taxi to the stadium. We did not see the sights, but I learned that the train ends at Brussels Midi which is not where the sights are. You need to jump on a local train to go 1 more stop to Brussels Central. I think it is included in your train fare. Maybe an expert can confirm or deny that, but just be aware. There is a good chocolate shop in Brussels Midi station!! And frites with mayo are real good too!!!
Thanks for the replies.
I understand January 1 things will be closed so need to find what things are open that i can see in Paris on January 1.
I understand as posted here that museums are closed on Monday. I guess then Monday may be a good day to go to Brussels unless there are famous museums suggested on the forum here that we should visit in Brussels on the day trip.
We would definitely eat:
Belgian cholcates
Belgian waffle - corrected this from belgian wafffle fries to belgian waffles
"There is a good chocolate shop in Brussels Midi station!!" - can I get name of the chocolate shop?
And frites with mayo are real good too!!! - any recommendations where to try these?
I would appreciate any recommendations for things to eat or places to dine at or places to see during day trip to Brussels?
If Monday would be a good day to visit Brussels?
Well, one difference about fries in Belgium is that they generally include beef suet in the frying oil. Yum. Health issues aside, that's discouraged in the US, for Hindu customers, and who knows if the suet is Halal or Kosher?
and proper frites are double fried
