Hi there! Need some advice. I am traveling with my friend -- and it's just us girls. We are spending 4 days in Paris. We are considering Normandy/MSM for a day trip, but I am worried it is a very long day and MSM keeps popping up as touristy (yuck).
(Also spending 4 days in Brugge and 3 days in Delft.)
Looking at going to Giverny instead. Neither of us have an interest in Versailles. Alsace looks great but too far away for 1 day. Any suggestions?
Many thanks! Carla
Giverny is certainly doable but with only 4 days in Paris would you consider Empress Josephine's Chateau Malmaison not far from Paris instead? You can reach it by metro and a bus from La Defense and still be back in Paris later that day for further explorations of the city. It is a smallish & pretty chateau and never over run with visitors.
I'd consider just spending your extra time in Paris rather than day-tripping out of the city--explore different neighborhoods!
Mont St. Michel is doable as a long day trip from Paris. The problem isn't that it's "touristy" (most major cultural sites in Europe would qualify for the same designation), but that the narrow confines of the island become choked with visitors during the day. So, although I think it is one of the most amazing places on Earth, I probably wouldn't visit as a daytrip from Paris.
And for "Normandy" as a daytrip- it's a large region of France about the size of Connecticut or Delaware, not a single destination. So, no, seeing "Normandy" by daytrip is not viable, but an individual destination within the region may be.
I think parts of Alsace are probably as feasible for a day trip as MSM, given the great trains, but I wouldn't do either. Heck, you could visit Lyon easier than MSM.
Are you sure you want to leave Paris? Four days is not whole lot of time.
Chartres, Versailles, and Giverny are popular trips, though very different--what sort of things do you want to see?
I also think that Rouen and Chantilly make good excursions.
It wouldn't occur to me to leave Paris if I had only 4 days there( and I have been many times) , but out of what you have presented , I think a daytrip to Giverny would be by far best choice. MSM is not really a day trip, although it can be done. By big bus tour its a 12-14 hour day...and yes, the Mont will be filled with other tourists. The best way to really enjoy it is to go as an overnight trip and stay after all the daytrippers leave!
I agree, stay in Paris. When you are there you will not want to leave! I'm planning my 10th trip there later this year, and have not yet been able to get myself to venture out and see any outlying areas, never mind other cities in France! I've been to other countries though, but it's hard to tear myself away from the great cities.
Wow! That was a lot of great info. You are right.....There is so much to see in Paris!! I think we will go see Giverny and spend the rest of the time exploring the city.
Thanks a lot!
Carla
4 days is too long in Brugge, same with 3 days in Delft..I love them, but they're very small towns. 2 days is more than enough for each..add those extra days to Paris and really enjoy.
Oh yeah btw....a day trip to Normandy etc is a really long day
