My husband and I are staying in Paris for two weeks this July. We decided to commit to two weeks because we'd like to see the area around Paris as well as become comfortable in the city--we've rented an apartment (with kitchen, to keep costs down). I am looking for recommendations for reasonably priced day trips. And by reasonably priced I mean 'It does not cost $100 per person to travel there', as there are two of us and, well, fourteen days is a long time! we certainly can't spend $200 every other day on transportation (because that would cost more than the apartment!). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Chartres is the obvious one. Absolutely the best of the notre dame style cathedrals. No tour necessary, just use the train. No entrance fee. Only cost other than transportation would be lunch.
Train to Rouen shouldn't be that bad and you can wander there on your own as well. Lionheart's heart (only) buried in cathedral which Monet painted a zillion times, site of death of Jean d'Arc a few hundred feet down the main pedestrian drag.
Tours to the Loire are relatively steep and the cost of entering the chateaux if you got there on your own are also on the hight side.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
If you like gardens and Monet, Giverny is an obvious choice, too, and well within your budget.
There's always Versailles....
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Chartres, Giverney, Rouen, like Versailles, are standard answers to this question here, and rightly so.
Since you'll be in Paris for two weeks I'll throw out a less-typical destination, the Fontenay Abbey in northern Burgundy.
The Abbey is a mostly restored Cistercian Abby of great austerity and beauty. You can read more about it in any number of guidebooks. Michelin gives it three stars, "worth a voyage," its highest rating.
To get there you take the TGV to Montbard--about an hour--then take a cab or otherwise get to the Abbey. One option is to walk, it's about four miles on one of the Randonee routes, or take a cab and walk back, if spending time in the French countryside appeals to you.
So, it is logistically (and financially) quite feasible! I'd pack a lunch.
Montbard itself is not an appealing place, but if you rent a car you are not far from two wonderful old towns, Semur-en-Aixios and Flavigny-sur-Ozerain. Both are described in Rick's book and others.
Posted by
OP
Macungie, PA, USA
463 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2778 posts
I agree that Chartres makes a wonderful day trip. However, I would recommend the Malcom Miller tour (in Rick's book). You'll get a lot more out of your stay. I think it's 10 euros and well worth it.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
I highly recommend Vaux le Vicomte. It's in Rick's France guidebook.
Posted by
McLean, VA
3 posts
We're preparing for a similar trip as yours in May. We've been to Giverny and will go again. We've been to Versailles and will go again. And we're adding Chartres to our plan also. Giverny and Versailles can each be done in a day - Versailles is a metro ride/bus ride so it's almost local. The train takes you to Vernon where you catch a bus to Giverny - and the reverse to return. And all are quite reasonable. Rick Steve has great ideas and also great descriptions that may allow you to do your own "tour" rather than pay for the official ones, if you're looking to economize more. Enjoy!