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A town/city in France Off The Beaten Path-Help!

Hello! This is my first time posting... I am making my 4th trip to Europe, this time alone for business, and I have some vacation time. I am struggling in finding a place to go for 1-2 days as a side trip from Paris. I have traveled in France pretty extensively (I've been all over Paris, visited Versailles, Chartres, Caen, Bayeux, Dijon, Strasbourg, Lyon, Amiens, Nice, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and I lived in Rouen for 5 months). I am trying to find a place - small city/large town - preferably within a 1.5 - 2 hour train ride from Paris. Thinking somewhere in the Loire Valley (Orleans, Bourges, Tours, Nantes, Angers, Le Mans) or Reims in Champagne. Anyone been to any of these places and have advice? Are there any other places I should be looking at? I do not plan on renting a car - only want to take trains and walk/taxi. Merci!

Posted by
32173 posts

John, I'm not sure if it's within 1.5-2 hours from Paris, but Colmar is a fantastic smaller town (I much prefer it to Strasbourg).

Posted by
14482 posts

I didn't see Fontainebleau on the list. If you have not visited the chateau as well as walked in the town, esp., the centre ville, that's my first suggestion. Reims is a good choice not only for the cathedral but also see where the surrender was signed in 1945. It's become a museum. I saw the place in August 1984. I would have recommended Amiens on the Somme but you've already visited it...very well worth it. Went back there couple of times. What about Compiegne...that's definitely worth your time historically and the town struck me as also quaint. Seeing the Armistice site is poignant. Another recommendation I have but haven't visited it myself as yet is Soissons. Very doable from Gare du Nord as is Compiegne.

Posted by
4132 posts

John, it does look as though you have chosen mostly larger cities in the past. You should consider that there are also some charming towns in the regions that you have visited. ¶ Your picks make sense if you'd like to see someplace new, but if you really loved, say, Alsace, there is Colmar; for Burgundy there is Beaune (and other towns in these regions too) for example.

Posted by
20 posts

Thanks for all of the advice! Since I'll be alone, I don't want to wind up in a sleepy little town with nothing going on...but I do think a more "quaint" place like Beaune (I've actually been there, too) or Colmar would be fun [INVALID] but I'm thinking more in the Loire Valley region. Anyone know of any locations in the Loire that are smaller yet have more going on like a Beaune/Colmar/Honfleur/Aix-en-Provence etc. and easy to get to by train? Thanks again!

Posted by
671 posts

We are staying in a small town on the train line, in the Loire Valley: St. Aignan. I don't know if it has enough going on for you, but they do have their own castle and a weekly market. I have been following this guy's blog, which I found after booking our place: http://ckenb.blogspot.com/

Posted by
1315 posts

John - How about Chinon? Lovely town, we stayed at the Hotel Diderot. If you want to go to the Loire Valley, I'd rent a car.

Posted by
448 posts

Since you don't plan to rent a car and prefer a 2 hour train I vote for Reims...great cathedral, plenty of history, and a good assortlent of cafés and restaurants. I especially like their Fine Arts Museum...plus I'm a fan of the Japanese/French artist Fujita who painted the ceilings of the chapel where he is buried....And PS, despite years in France, I still have trouble pronouncing Reims, but don't let that discourage you from going

Posted by
56 posts

Semur-en-Auxois is a small well connected town in the Burgundy region. It is connected to Paris by train. Another nice place in the Loire valley is Saumur.

Posted by
251 posts

We stayed in Amboise for 3 days in June, a charming town centrally located in the Loire Valley. Enjoyed it very much.

Posted by
9404 posts

Purnima's recommendation is the best one of all...Semur-en-Auxois!

Posted by
4132 posts

Semur-en-Aixois is indeed a charming town, convenient to some spectacular sights, but there is no rail connection, only an infrequent bus from Montbard (and maybe Dijon - not sure about that). I hope Purnima will not resent this small correction. If the OP were interested in returning to Burgundy - with a car or bicycle - he could do worse.

Posted by
175 posts

Would Troyes or Auxerre fit the bill or are they too small?

Posted by
32173 posts

John, as someone else suggested, Chinon and Hotel Diderot are also a great choice (that's one that I forgot about).

Posted by
1315 posts

John, I think you'll feel very comfortable at the Diderot. The owners are wonderful, a brother and two sisters, and the breakfast room is cozy. If you like wine, Laurent, the owner, is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I don't have an answer for you about the train station, but the town is not large, and very walkable. Enjoy!

Posted by
26 posts

Beaune is wonderful. You can also rent bikes there and ride to the vineyards. I think the TGV runs from Beaune to Paris. A bit farther away by train (3.5) is Annecy. Well worth seeing, at the foot of the French alps.

Posted by
20 posts

OK...after much research, I think I may TGV from Paris to Tours, then take the train to Chinon. Beaune is a great town - but I've already been there. Hotel Diedrot looks awesome. I will be alone and will have luggage and am not driving. For those of you who have been to Chinon, could I easily walk to Hotel Diedrot from the gare? I google mapped it and it looks like it's not too far. Also, will it be OK for someone traveling alone to stay at Hotel Diedrot? I don't want to go to a place that is TOO small/intimate and feel awkward being alone. Thanks!

Posted by
446 posts

Google Maps is amazing. It shows it's a 9-minute walk (750 m) to the Hotel Diderot from the train station (Gare).

Posted by
20 posts

Thanks for your help and advice, everyone. I booked two nights at Hotel Diedrot in Chinon. (what a value, too[INVALID][INVALID]only 48 euros per night!!!) Next Fall I may try Colmar.