We're planning a trip to France next August and would like to spend a week near Paris with our 10 and 14 year old children. We'd like to take the train into the city but come home to a village atmosphere. Would also like good access to Normandy, Versaille, Giverny, all the good stuff. Any recommendations appreciated!
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
The Normandy region is about 3 hours from Paris.
You can stay outside the Paris city proper by going to the smaller towns, maybe like heading toward Disneyland Paris direction. There were quaint villages along that route, and the RER is about a 1 hour train ride, and the towns there are not as busy as it is in the city... and you can still travel to Paris by train.
I would split your stay from Paris, and then to the Normandy region. You can rent a car to get to Normandy which will provide you more access to see the "good stuff" like the Bayeux tapestry, the D day beaches, Mont St. Michel, Giverny, etc.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL, USA
264 posts
Paris is actually a collection of "villages." The city grew up from a multitude of medieval villages. That organizational idea has never changed. Each neighborhood contains apartments, a market, shops, banks and churches. (All within a few blocks). The village atmosphere is most distinctive on the left bank.
Since you only have a week to stay, I'd suggest you do your homework and choose the best area of Paris for you. All of your other destinations are easily reachable by regional or mainline rail. All the Normandie destinations have mini-vans (with driver/guide) available for a reasonable fee who will pick you up at the rail station and return you there at the end of the day. Traveling by rail saves hour(s) compared to driving a car, even on the autoroute!
Your time will be precious, don't waste it commuting unnecessarily!
Posted by
OP
Bainbridge Island
2 posts
Thank you all for the wise counsel. Staying in Paris seems a better use of both time and money.
So, fellow travelers, any recommendations on charming, family-friendly Paris neighborhoods? We are walkers, explorers, and fairly low-key folk.
We are now planning on spending a couple of nights in Normandie at a B & B and have a week planned at a cottage in Provence where we are looking forward to doing some hiking, cycling and eating!
Again, we really appreciate your collective help.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Rue cler is perfect area in Paris for walking and close to alot of sights. incl Seine, Eiffel tower.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
The Rue Cler is now referred to by some Parisians as Rue Rick Steves, or so I'm told. Some here think it has been over-promoted on this site. And some Paris locals report a large number of people toting little blue books around the Rue Cler.So if you want to see all of us on your Paris trip, be sure to stay on the Rue Cler and we'll look forward to meeting you, you'll recognize us by the blue books and maps we're toting.Leaving to wiser minds the issue of whether the Rue Cler has been over-promoted on this site--perhaps you would like to also consider the many fine accommodations and restaurant possibilities of the 5th and 6th arrondisement, and also the 3rd and 4th--in addition to the Rue Cler in the 7th? Paris has a large number of accommodations offerings and some here may want to expand their search from just one small area?
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I agree with Kent about the many American tourists to be found on Rue Cler, but it's a good place to stay on your first visit to Paris, I think. It's pretty low key and a good area for a family. But I'm sure any hotel suggested in Rick's guidebook would be fine. You also might consider renting an apartment for a week. This could be the best deal, and most fun.
Posted by
Zephyr Cove, nv, USA
16 posts
Stay in the city. It will be too much of an effort to travel in and out each day. If someone wants to go back to the room for a nap it would be possible. Paris has many beautiful districts that seem "homey" Try the Rue Cler district. I've stayed at the Champs du Mar as Rick recommended. Would stay again. Nice location and easy accessible to the metro.
Posted by
Bakersville, NC, USA
1 posts
The formula 1 is always a good deal. There is one about 30 min north of Paris in Goosenville (dont count on the spelling)I have stayed there several different times and they have allowed me to leave a car for several days while I was in Paris at no charge. I have done 2 things. I have gone back and forth and I have stayed in Paris for 2 or 3 nights knowing that my car was safe and not racking up big parking charges.
Posted by
Calgary, AB, Canada
27 posts
Hotel Relais Bosquet has studios and an apartement for rent in the rue cler. better to rent an apartement i think gives you more freedom and room. I rented an apt for me and my two boys (21 and 25 yrs) it was the best thing to do. I had originally booked a hotel room with three single beds. That would have been adequate but the apartment really made our stay in Paris that much better.