Driving from the Loire to Paris and have to return the rental by 11 am at Invalides area. Would you stay the night before in Orleans? Another place? A smaller town closer to Paris? Suggestions?
The day before we are visiting Chambord and Maybe Amboise castles. Just trying to get it right. I appreciate all advice. Leaving in less than2 weeks. Yeah.
Many will mention Chartres, but if visited yet and still in the mood for visiting a chateau you can think about nearby Maintenon. Rambouillet is to my opinion a pleasant place to stay with a big park around the chateau open to public. Not big but nice is Dampierre-en-Yveline a bit halfway between Rambouillet and Versailles, you can find places to sleep close to the entrance of the chateau. The road D91 leading to Dampierre is scenic.
Driving into Paris during rush hour? Is this the start of the apartment rental?
You could arrange to drop the car in Orleans and take a train and taxi, or Orly Airport and catch a taxi. I'm suggesting this more costly plan of taxis because you have your mother traveling with you and to avoid am traffic into Paris--unless it's a Sunday.
It will be a Saturday.......I hope that since we would only arrive in Paris at 10 am it would not be so bad. I had thought of Orly but our apartment is a 7 min walk from the drop off in Invalides......not sure exactly what is best at this point. Figured we would leave the hotel at 8 am and try......maybe not the best plan. Thought we could drop off our bags and my mom at the apartment then return the car.
Maybe sleep closer to Paris? Maybe Orly.......? I just want to get things right. Hubby is not worried about driving in but maybe there is a better way.
The owner said no problem to get the apartment early.
Saturday morning should be fine.
Wii's suggestions are good. If you're not visiting Chartres otherwise, this would be a great opportunity to see that cathedral and town.
Another idea might be Versailles -- not to see the chateau there, but as an interesting stopping point within easy striking distance of Paris the next morning. If you get there in the afternoon, have the energy, and don't plan a separate day trip while you're in Paris, you might find the crowds down enough to make a chateau visit worthwhile late in the day. But you could just spend the night there too, walk around and get a feel for the chateau from the outside.
