Paris in 5 days?

If you have only a week, then your best bet, I think, is one big city, and Paris is as good as any and better than most. I wouldn't try to "see" Normandy in a day though, stick to Paris and maybe add Versailles. Then come back for more when you have more time.

I agree with Dick. Stick with Paris and a day trip to Versailles if you must do a day trip. You won't have time to do Normandy justice. I'm finally getting to Normandy this year. I've spent 3 weeks in Paris over 3 trips.

Have a great trip to a fantastic city.

kg-with five days, I would suggest staying in Paris, though a day trip to Versailles, or perhaps Chartres, for example, is easily done. You would, however, be taking time from the multitude of excellent sights, walking, and people watching at your fingertips in Paris. Just being there and soaking it in is, for a lot of people, half the experience. As hard as it is to resist piling too much on your plate, plan on going back; part of most trips is some reconnaissance for the next one. Be realistic about the time it takes to see a particular sight.
And no, I wouldn't suggest another city over Paris.

I agree with the other posts. And Paris is my favorite city. But, if another place calls to you more, and if they have nonstop flights from DC, you can alternatively go to London, Rome, Madrid, Istanbul, etc - just as long as you stay all five nights in one place. You can take daytrips if you like, but make sure they are real daytrips. Paris to Versailles is a real daytrip, Paris to Normandy (a whole region) takes several days.

kgbellhorn,

"cost effective". thats a new twist.

Most people can spend 5+ full days in Paris and not see everything but that will depend on person(s).

If you want to see Normandy and the WWII sites, than 1 day is the minimum. i did a personal tour for a day and i realized, 3 ~4 days would be the best especially with the Non USA sectors and with Mont Saint Michel thrown in. I was able to "see" alot of the sites, but not alot of time there. Didnt step one foot in a musuem (other than on my time) either and there were several that were passed up due to meeting that schedule of to do/see list.

Dont know about Versailles, yet.

You wont be able to do everything in 5~7 days so make a decision and go for it. think of it as getting your feet wet and once you make the trip then you will realize how much time you will want to plan for the next time.

If all you want to do is to get out of dodge for your break, then just pick someplace and go. Almost everyplace you choose will have some "day(s)" trips outside and chances are you wont be able to see everything anyway.

not sure if you are aware of this, but you will loose one day traveling to Europe, so i hope that 5~7 days has that -1 day included.

happy trails.

I agree with the others - Paris & Versailles would be wonderful & easily done in 5 days. Of course you won't see everything but that gives you a reason to return! Enjoy your trip.

You're on the right track with the advice above. Bon voyage!

Thank you all for the great suggestions!