We are at this stage in paris again for 4 nights in late June and hopefully can extend if necessary. After having driven to Mt St Michel and then through the Loire Valley and some of the chateaux, we then drove down the centre, stopping at places on the way, ending up in nice 10 days after leaving Paris.
This time I would be really grateful for any suggestions that involve either train or car, short trips or a bigger one, up to about 4 - 5 days. I really loved the little villages but didn't see enough of them last time so would like to see more of them this time. We haven't seen Reims or Strasbourg so perhaps if something could fit in there, but that would be 2 day trips only. Reims I know is only a short train trip, not sure if there that much to see though. Trains only go to certain places but you don't get to stop anywhere and you can drive through little villages by car. My husband is not keen to spend half his days driving this time every day. so we need some ideas. A little trip, say through Champagne without heaps of driving could work but not sure about trains or mileage.
Would really appreciate any suggestions anyone may have. Thanks.
Posted by
Chicago
8060 posts
There are literally dozens of great day trips within an hour of Paris by train; here are just a handful
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/day-trips-from-paris/
Other great examples: Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh lived out his life; Provins with its medieval games and walls; Rouen a city with much interest and entirely different architecture from Paris; Reims and the champagne houses; Giverny and Monet's Gardens; Rambouillet with the summer house of the President and its park; Malmaison chateau -- and many others. Tons of choices.
Posted by
Paris
9580 posts
Strasbourg isn't really a day trip from Paris by car (it can be, by train, but it's so far on the road that it wouldn't be very enjoyable). Janet has given you excellent suggestions, she has a whole raft of experiences detailed on her blog.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
In general, I'd think train. If you're driving, just getting out - and back into - Paris will take a lot of your time and energy.
Convenient day trips could be: Versaille, Giverny, Fountainbleu, Chartres and more.
In 4 or 5 days getting a car makes sense, but rent it somewhere smaller that is a convenient train ride from Paris to get started.
Convenient 4 or 5 day trips could be: Champagne (train to Reims and rent); Normandie (train to Rouen and rent); Loire Valley (train to Tours or Orleans and rent); Burgundy (train to Dijon and rent); Alsace (train to Strassbourg and rent).
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4044 posts
The Museum of the Great War, or la musee de la grande guerre, is an easy train ride, about 45 minutes, from Gare de l'est to the pretty town of Meaux. This new museum approaches WW1 from the viewpoint of the ordinary soldiers and citizens as well as the expected military equipment and strategies. In both Germany and France there was significant resistance against the campaigns, to the point of mutiny, and this new museum looks at everyday life in that stressful time. Unfortunately its website does not deliver much info in English so you may have to fall back on Google Translate. http://www.museedelagrandeguerre.eu/en.html
Also there is a possibility of confusing this big installation with a memorial at the Somme bearing a similar name.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Reims was life-changing. Champagne snack in the morning and afternoon! Plus the history and beauty of the city itself. I also liked Strasbourg, Chartres (wish I had stayed there overnight, so different from Paris).
I took trains, very easy.
Posted by
Atlanta
4844 posts
Great deal to see and do in Reims actually. The cathedral is magnificent, there are champagne houses one can visit, and there is an excellent museum where the papers ending WWII were signed. Get an early start and make a day of it and be back in Paris for dinner.
Posted by
OP
Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand
64 posts
Thanks for your replies. We've got plenty to think about I see.
Posted by
Ohio
171 posts
In 4 or 5 days you could see Alsace and the Somme/Verdun at a reasonable pace.
Posted by
San Francisco
14510 posts
Hi,
If your interest is WW1, there is the museum at Meaux, as suggested above, and that in the Somme area Peronne, near Albert, which also has a WW1 museum (much smaller obviously). Both Albert and Peronne were battle field areas. the British Army HQ was in Albert. or, the German cemetery at Fricourt. You need the car for that site.
Great you have a car. You can drive through the villages and sites of the Allied invasion of France in 1814 against Napoleon, seeing the museums and battle sites of 1814, such as Brienne au Chateau , near Troyes, the route of the four victories, (one after another in Feb 1814) Montmirail, Vauchamps, etc, . Craonne, Chateau-Thierry (for the Anglo-French war cemetery and the US monument)