Paris Itinerary and more

Enjoy Paris' parks as well. The Jardin des Plantes near Austerlitz Station is remarkable and locale of many interesting museums. Bois de Boulogne and Bois Vincennes are wonderful walks. The Jardin du Luxembourg is a gorgeous oasis.
As we did not venture into the area nearby, we cannot give knowledgable recommendations other than that the grounds of Versailles are amazing.

Do you mean as day trips from Paris? or is your intention to sleep in the countryside a few nights?

The Loire Valley is quite close (by train about an hour). It is famous for the scenery, chateaux, and vineyards.

Hi Jonathan,

many French consider Strasbourg the cuisine capitol of France ... the culinary institution called the "Winstub" is popular, too. I drool just thinking of it...
bon voyage! ... P

Actually, we will be in the Paris area for 6 days, and we didn't want to spend all 6 days in the city, so we thought about possibly going to stay outside the city but because of the short visit, it might be better to do day trips, so i'm considering both. so any advice for both would be great

Well I this is your first visit to Paris, I don't think you will find 6 days there too long a time. Just my opinion.....

There's no such thing as too much time in Paris. Still I would be tempted to spend an overnight--or two--getting the taste of another part of France. I think that Normandy, Provence, or Burgundy, by car, are the three most obvious choices but by no means the only ones.

Provence would offer perhaps the greatest contrast to Paris, and if you wen there a the end of your ten days you could return home (or continue on) from there, saving you a train ride back.

Chartes is a great day trip. After you tour the cathedral wander down into the older neighborhood by the river.