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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
France
A beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris
Posted: Fri July 18, 2003 04:37 PM UTC
My wife (who speaks some French) and I have a 4 day stopover landing in Paris in early August and would like to spend one day in art galeries in Paris then the rest of the time in a beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris(to avoid too much traveling).
Our fantasy is a quaint little village from where we could rent some bikes and go for walks.
Any suggestions of an area that is easy to get to by public transport yet fills the bill?
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 gordonz 5 replies

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France
Re: A beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris
Posted: Fri July 18, 2003 05:52 PM UTC
The area around Chartres is conducive to leisurely rural bike riding. It's easy to get to from the Gare Montparnasse station in Paris.

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France
Re: Re: A beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris
Posted: Sat July 19, 2003 01:07 AM UTC
I'd suggest hiring a car, and heading for the chateaux of the Loire. Plenty of quiet villages thereabouts, and MUCH more besides.

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France
Re: A beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris
Posted: Sat July 19, 2003 04:27 AM UTC
I'd go to Honfleur (Normandy), a town known for its artistry (paintings)

Lyon by TGV is only 2 hours away. The mecca of culinary France.

Blois, Tours, Chartres should be an interesting trip too.

Or Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace.

It should be quite easy to rent a car from the airport. French roads and signs are good. Get a detailed map and go anywhere!
oh and, if you get the chance to see a Son et Lumière (Sound and Light show) for instance in the castle of Blois or the cathedral of Strasbourg, then do!
It really makes history alive!

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France
Re: Re: A beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris
Posted: Sat July 19, 2003 04:49 AM UTC
Don't worry about distance too much. I once drove back from Cannes in a day to catch a plane.

St-Denis, Meaux, Reims in the North.
Dijon, Beaune in the East (few hours).
Chartres, West, Loire region a little more South, or Fontainebleau.
Little places not too touristy just outside any closer destination have great gîtes or B&Bs.

And why not Versailles?
Have fun,
Pierre

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France
Re: Re: A beautiful country (rural) area not too far from Paris
Posted: Sat July 19, 2003 10:33 PM UTC
Thank you all so much for your wonderful help. We will rent a car at the airport and probably head to Loire Valley staying in B&Bs/farm houses etc. Any recomendations for these or for a lower priced hotel for our last night in Paris?

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