Paris + 2 days nearby?

What day of the week is your departure from Paris? You'll have to realize that if it's a weekday, to be at the airport three hours before departure, you'll be going with all the rush-hour traffic into Paris, which isn't fun.

I would recommend doing these two nights in the middle of your trip and being back in Paris for the last night. For the nights away, I would go to the Loire Valley.

I would flip your itinerary. Head straight from Paris (or CDG if possible) to your secondary destination. Using some of those jet laggy first day hours to travel by train is a great way to do things. And really, there’s quite a few options when you do this. You can take the bullet train straight from CDG to Avignon/Arles in 3hrs. If you land in the morning that means you’re there for lunch. I’d also recommend a couple nights in Lyon. It’s another easy train from CDG. It’s a very different feel from Paris, but similarly a great place to just walk around and explore. AMAZING restaurant scene and better than Paris in that respect. It’s also in wine country, so you could rent a car for a day or even half a day to get out a bit. Lyon has trains to Paris almost hourly, so that gives you a lot of flexibility.

What about Reims? Easy to get there by train and one can certainly spend a couple of nights there. Google it and see if it hold any interest.

Thanks for the replies! I think I worded the end of that a bit funny, the list of cities aren't places I've been, but ones am considering. I see Lyon recommended tons, but hoping for not another big city

I agree with the Loire Valley. Several Castles to visit and small towns. I know it is a short train to Tours. I would head there when you land.

Of your ideas, Vezeley is probably the least like a big city. But it's a lot of travel for just one day in Burgundy, and you have the problem of being at the airport by around 10 AM.

You could drive from Paris, or take the train to Auxerre and drive from there. The second is a pretty drive with some nice spots: lunch in Chablis, visit on Noyers, etc.

Have you considered the D Day beaches? I would also look at Giverny, Mont-Saint- Michel, and Bayeux. All of these things are not too far from Paris.

I agree with the advice to start with a train ride to your non-Paris destination, preferably direct from CDG. See what you can find on this website. Looks like there are trains to Dijon (for Burgundy) or St-Pierre-le-Corps (near Tours, for Loire), among other choices. You could rent a car and explore the area, staying in a smaller town, then drive back to Paris, returning the car at Orly or CDG or elsewhere on the outskirts. Spend your last days in Paris and taxi or RER to the airport the morning before your flight.

If you can manage to get into Paris on arrival and then to one of its stations your choices for that first day will increase dramatically, at the cost of time and hassle. I'd look for a train right out of CDG if there's one going to a destination that appeals in a reasonable timeframe. (Allow several hours from flight arrival time.)

Sticking with your original plan, here are a few suggestions that are north or east of Paris, closer to CDG: Chantilly, Compeigne, Amiens, Senlis, or Beauvais.

For car rentals, it’s not certain these smaller places will have automatics. If you can drive a stick, you’re good to go.

I second the choice of Amiens, big enough, yet small enough too, also for its cultural history. It was a main target in both wars. If you want a place without any tourists at all, maybe except French ones, then choose Beauvais. A nice peaceful town, ca half way between Amiens and Paris.

Rouen is a lovely place but it is off in the other direction from CDG where as Chantilly, Amiens are in the general direction.

First thought is go to Troyes, but support Adams idea about Auxerre as it is a better location for exploring the area as driving times can not be underestimated. By train Auxerre takes less than two hours from Paris. You can do daytrips to Noyers, Montréal, Vézelay and Guédelon. I have visited all these places last week and I think (speaking frankly more convinced) you can’t go wrong with them. Guédelon is a medieval castle building site using the original constructing techniques, in the meanwhile ¾ of the project is realized and therefore phantastic to visit nowadays. Nearby Saint-Fargeau is lovely too and for a wine experience you can visit east of Auxerre for instance Chablis.

Closer to Paris and so more convenient about reaching CDG I agree with Bets, lovely places and also lovely countryside with nice little villages to enjoy.

You don’t have two days. You have 2 night which means 1.5 days. You should stay closer to the airport and on the northern or eastern side because you have to turn in your car by 9:30 and get in line by 10:00. You should avoid having to circle around Paris in rush hour. Both Chantilly and Compeigne are known for their forests, use the Michelin to find the best foods.

Thanks all! Am going to come back to Paris or CDG for the last night late to save on the traffic. Any favorite small inns or B&B's in the general Normandy area for a spot to stay? Will have a car