We have been in Paris for 4 days now and loving every minute of it. However we would like to get out of town for a day trip before we leave on Wednesday. We've been to Versailles, but would like to see the countryside, and include a cheese making factory if at all possible. (Kids - 10 & 14 - love cheese!) Any suggestions? Nothing like planning as we go! Merci!
PROVINS!! Kids will likely love it.
World Heritage site,, medieval town with ramparts etc.. On certain days there are jousting shows etc,, but, you must check website for that, mondays are tough days , things do seem quieter.
Good luck.
I found Vaux-le-Vicomte remarkable, and think it would work well for many kids. Same architect and landscape architect as Versailles, but a manageable size and fully furnished... you really get the experience of living there. Evenings (weekends, I believe), chateau is lit by candlelight... lovely. And they have golf carts for rent for exploring the gardens.
Chartres - the cathedral is amazing.
We haven't been to Provins yet but it sounds fascinating and we hope to include it on our next trip. However, if it interests you, there is currently an extensive thread about it in the Paris tripadvisor forum. The thread's title is "day trip to Provins from Paris."
Chartres is wonderful--be sure not to miss the old part of the city across the river from the cathedral. Mondays are very quiet (almost shut down) in Chartres and to a certain extent in many cities and towns, so I would plan on a Tuesday visit instead.