We're staying at a private home on the western edge of Paris for three weeks in July/August. We have the use of a car and would like to take some day trips to the countryside. Any ideas about destinations for day trips other than the usual tourist sites?
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Have you seen sights like Chartres? If you are on the West side of Paris you are on your way thre. The 'usual tourist sites' are popular because they are attractive. I dont understnad- have you been to france before? What have you seen?
Posted by
OP
Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
277 posts
This is our first time to France. But since we're going to be there 22 days, I want to make sure and see some of the rural countryside along with the historic sites.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
Have you considered northern Burgundy. I've been going there for the last 35 years for family reasons. It's rural. You can get to northern Burgundy, Sens, Joigny (both small cities) in 2 hours, Auxerre (small city) and Chablis (town) in about 2.5 hours. Go a little further away from the towns and it is really rural. Just around Chablis there are tens of villages filled with churches, old stone houses and barnyards, etc.
Posted by
OP
Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
277 posts
Northern Bergundy sounds perfect! I'll check it out.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Chantilly( the Chateau, and the Royal Stables),,, its never crowded, it has an amazing collection of paintings, the grounds are lovely( have an incredible bowl of strawberries and Chantilly Cream in the garden cafe off in the grounds) . I have been several times now and love visiting there.
Although restored (rebuilt) in the 19th century, Pierrefonds in a lovely medival chateau in a very cute little village on a small lake,, rent a paddle boat, or better , have lunch by the water looking up at Chateau,, its rather fairytale. Neither of these places is ever very crowded ( i have visited both in summer months several times) so a nice change from many of the packed ( but still worth seeing) sites in Paris, or Versailles..
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1384 posts
Why not take the "Paris - Chartres - Nogent-le-Rotrou - Le Mans" train to Nogent-le-Rotrou from the Montparnasse train station. Hit the castle St. Jean and visit the downtown there. It's BEAUTIFUL and the castle can be seen in the distance from many, many, many angles. Then take the train back to Chartres, have lunch, see the cathedral and the Musee des Beaux Arts (next to the cathedral) Then take the train back to Maintenon and see their BEAUTIFUL chateau and aquaducts. Then take the train back to Paris and enjoy the rest of your stay.
Posted by
OP
Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
277 posts
These are all great ideas. Thank you.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
How about the Normandy area? Depending on how in-depth you want to go, you'd really need to spend a night or two...at least. It may not be so 'back door', but it's nothing like Notre Dame and it's hordes of tourists. I found it to be a very peaceful region.