Paris to the Past- Ina Caro

Good luck with your trip. It sounds like an interesting idea.

We just got Ina Caro's other book, "The Road From the Past," in anticipation of our trip (which will include Paris, Lyon, Provence, the Languedoc, the Dordogne and the Loire). I know that the "Paris to the Past" book is geared toward traveling through French history by train (but do not know what specific places she recommends), so I think the OP idea is great. I would also note that I think Ms. Caro would agree that French history includes much more than Paris and its environs.

An easy way to determine which train tickets are cheaper bought in advance and which ones stay the same price is to go to the French trains website https://en.oui.sncf/en/. Choose Paris All Stations for your origin and pick a destination. Check prices for tomorrow and for three months out. If the prices are the same, you don't have to buy in advance. If they are different, you can see just how much advance purchase will save, and decide which tickets you may want to buy in advance.

Note that the cheapest tickets will be non-refundable and non-exchangeable. On the other hand, with advance purchase, you can often get first class for just a few euros more than second class.

I have never readed the book, but just looked at Amazon the table of contents and the places mentioned are anyway interesting and will certainly make your stay worthwhile. Maybe I’m wrong (as I didn’t read it) but my impression is that this kind of books combine history with a focus on touristically attractive places (the reason they are so popular) and as said by the other posters before don’t represent in this case the full spectrum of French history. Nevertheless think too following this book is a great way to start with discovering more and more of this intriguing country and doing this for many years not the least worried running out of interesting places the years to come.

Thanks, Harold for the suggestion about train prices. To the other responders... 1. I really wasn't looking for a critique of the book. I was hoping that, if anyone had read the book and had followed in Ina's footsteps, they might be generous enough to opine on which destinations are "must see" versus okay to pass up...2. This is not my first nor my last (I hope) trip to France nor to Paris.

I find that many contributors to this forum use it as an opportunity to shoot off (largely unwanted) opinions. When I signed up, I did so with the hope that it would be a venue to happily share information and experiences.

Please stay! I know you've gotten some negative responses - ignore them. One problem with a public forum is that anyone can answer, and the answers can be "all over the board."

To be fair, though, you said If you have read her book or are familiar with her interesting ideas about using Paris as a home base and then discovering French history via day trips by train, I'd appreciate your insights. So, you weren't just asking for train advice, and those who have issues with the book were being invited to chime in, and they did.

One poster here, whom I've met in person, emphasized to me that she is now careful to ask very focused questions, so she doesn't get answers that are irrelevant to her.

I just realized I never addressed the last part of your post (see, even I forgot the train questions because the first part of your post was so much about the book). To get between Paris and Brussels, you will take the Thalys. This leaves from Brussels South station (called both Bruxelles-Midi and Brussel Zuid) and goes to Paris Gare du Nord. On the Brussels end, you can take a connecting local train from South station to Central station for free; in Paris, you'll need the metro, a bus, or a taxi to go beyond Gard du Nord.

Thalys trains start out affordable as advance purchase non-refundable tickets, and go WAY up closer to travel or if you need fewer restrictions. So, book as soon as you know your dates: https://www.b-europe.com/EN or https://www.thalys.com/de/en/

Have no idea my post is negative, but I think it are opinions so you have the freedom to take it in consideration or not.

I have read this book a few times, often revisiting it before my annual trip to Paris and other areas of France. Without her “snapshot” of areas which are unique yet help one travel through parts of history, I would not have found small treasures such as Vincennes/Paris flower garden or St Denis which are on the Paris metro system or, ventured to Rouen (feasible add-on from Giverny) and the Loire Valley. This fall I will visit Malmaison and likely Auvers and Vaux le Vicomte which are promoted by the author but, reflect my own interests and further research. Ina’s book, like many others, just opens the door. Sorry I can’t provide train trips other than to say that as a (usually) single traveller, found it quite manageable. I was not a fan of Chartres but just my take on it, most on this sight rave about it so very personal choice. Love Paris in October...have a wonderful adventure,

First of all, jealous. Second, if you haven't already read the other book, do so. Some of it covers Paris or nearby. You may be able to cover more than your planned 12 of 28.

After I'd read it front to back, I went back and re-read sections. And then often again right before visiting the place. Before St. Denis, I read that chapter again so I'd know what to look for. I then sat in a cafe afterwards and read it once again, to go over and absorb what I'd seen.

Good plan. Enjoy.

It's a great plan. I've read the book and another of hers and enjoyed them very much. I hope you have a fabulous trip.

Thanks for the thread. Reminds me that I have the The Road From the Past at home. I read it a couple of years ago but didn't really focus on the area I'm planning to visit next trip (in a couple of weeks). I'll have to read up a little.

We just did Maintenon today; it was a gorgeous day and we loved the trip; the grounds are beautiful and the history of Madam Maintenon, the wife of Louis XIV for 32 years, is an interesting one. We were disappointed not to be abe ti get the classic picture of the pretty little chateau through the ruins of the old aqueduct that Louis was having built to bring water to Versailles. The only access for that photo would be on an adjacent golf course. You can walk right up to the aqueduct from the gardens but not get on the other side (if I were 20 years younger I would have hopped the low fence and walked along the moat to get my shot, but I had a vision of lying on my back with soggy cameras in the moat so didn't hazard it.

A lot of her sites are in Paris itself, so it would be easy to combine her historical research with just ordinary Pars touristing.

Another book, Simms 'An Hour from Paris' gives directions for trips to less well known villages and towns mosty in te Ile de France. We have done most of them and really enjoyed the experience. This trip we also visited both of the lakes in Parc Vincennes and also the site of Colonial Exhibition in 1907 where natives from colonial nations lived in their pavillions as sort of a human zoo. You can walk among the ruins of these old pavillions.