1 day in Bruges

Tom, don't offer unsolicited advice.

Buy them at the booth just before boarding. I doubt you can buy them in advanced, it's a pretty small operation. BTW, Brugge is a little far for daytrip from Paris by train (might not be so bad by car)... waiting for another poster to tell me I shouldn't offer unsolicited advice.

When I did this day trip it was no problem at all; everything worked out fine! I took an early Thalys train from Paris to Brussels, then the IC train from Brussels to Bruges. (Reverse at the end of the day and back in Paris by 9 p.m.). I did everything, toured the squares, ate fries with mayonnaise, toured the museums, saw the diamond cutting exhibiton, took the canal boat ride, had lunch and drank some Kriek. I skipped climbing the bell tower. It was a really great day and I wouldn't take anything for it, especially the 5 pounds of chocolate from Dumon that I brought home with me. Have a great time!

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it. We have a 7:00 train returning late evening. It should work pretty well.

I had a really great waffle with whipped cream and strawberries there...Dumon's chocolate...mmmm...toured the brewery.

I agree that the chocolate from Dumon is the best anywhere. And we tasted chocolate everywhere in Bruges and in Brussels. Also not to be missed in Bruges is the hot chocolate at the De Proeverie Tea Room just a few steps from the brewery. They serve a steaming hot cup of milk with a dish of dark chocolate sitting on top of it. It's accompanied by a dish of whipped cream and a dish of small chocolates. You tip the melted chocolate into the milk and mix it in yourself. It's quite an experience (if you like chocolate!)

Bruges is a very neat place. If you're into beer try some of their best brews. Nothing like great chocolate, beer, and cycling.