Hello,
My husband and I will be arriving into Paris in the afternoon in October this year, and unfortunately it would mean a 3-4 hour wait before the next flight/fast train. We’ve decided that instead of waiting for a connection, that we rather hire our rental car at CDG and drive to Nantes, with a 1 night stopover. We would have hired the rental car in any case the following afternoon in Nantes.
We are looking for a village or town (or a property in the country that does meals) for the evening and wondered if anyone has any suggestions? It would need to be between Paris and Chartres, as that is the maximum we want to drive that day due to the arrival time, close to the A10 freeway.
We don’t want to stay in central Paris just because it can be a nightmare with a car, and we need to leave early the next morning anyway, so wouldn’t have time to enjoy Paris.
If anyone has a suggestion, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you so much,
Lauren
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
This isn't what you asked, but, when we went to Brittney and Normandy, we took the train to Chartres, stayed there overnight and headed out the next morning. I think the car rental was through Avis in Chartres. From there we stopped in Vouvray for wine tasting and then stayed the night in Saumur.
Posted by
France Southwest
2322 posts
The distance you will be able to cover will depend on the day of the week and the weather.
If you leave CDG on a sunny Sunday afternoon you could be in Chartres less than 2 hours later.
On the other hand, if it is a weekday, rainy, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., you may not have passed the southern suburbs of Paris 2 hours after your departure from CDG
Posted by
OP
South Africa
25 posts
We'll be travelling on a Thursday, and should be leaving the airport by 15h00.
Posted by
France Southwest
2322 posts
Here is a suggested itinerary, you will avoid the immediate surroundings of Paris.
Leaving CDG at 3 p.m., Google estimates between 1h30 and 2h20 to reach Chartres.
So in the worst case you should be in Chartres around 5:30 p.m.
https://goo.gl/maps/1kgzesdemTZF3wMq9
This one, via the N104 will be a little longer (15 minutes) but certainly less crowded
https://goo.gl/maps/6xZAqSGsWQH3advn9
Before Chartres, I don't see any other place likely to be a stopover, and the section of the A10 between Paris and Chartres is boring to death.
Chartres in October is a typical provincial town, bourgeois and very sleepy.
Ideal for resting after a long flight and 2 hours on unknown roads in the middle of heavy traffic.
That said, you will see a very beautiful cathedral there and will find all kinds of accommodation and restaurants.
Posted by
OP
South Africa
25 posts
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I agree that Chartres looks like the best option for an overnight stay.