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Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 01:20 PM UTC
There are a number of places within an hour or so on public transport.
My favorite has to be Chartres with its cathedral and charming town. Rouen is also only about an hour -- with it's timbered houses and many churches.
With the TGV I did Angers in a day -- with its chateau and cathedral plus many other interesting sights. I've also heard good "buzz" about Provins and it's on my list.
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 01:25 PM UTC
Thanks Sally :0)
Cathedral, churches and half timbered buildings are just the sort of things we like to see, and hopefully ots of photo opportunities.
Now I have some names I'll go off and do some research.
Stace
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 01:42 PM UTC
Don't forget the pages here at VT :))))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 01:46 PM UTC
Always my starting point Sally :0))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:01 PM UTC
How about a side trip to Giverny, Stace.....to see the gardens and the "Japanese Bridge" that Monet made so famous! ;-))
I haven't done that yet, but I heard the place was absolutely exquisite! It's about a little over an hour outside of Paris. You can tour Monet's home and studio!
So much to see and do in Paris!!!
Have a great time.....and (ahem) see you soon!! ;-)))
G_G
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:04 PM UTC
Salut!
Versailles & Fontainebleau are very nice if you like castles ;o)
greetings,
Sandra
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:16 PM UTC
There was another recent thread about daytrips from Paris, if this link doesn't work do a search under France for a post by Carmela71
http://www.virtualtourist.com/f/p/b784/?r=603a8
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:22 PM UTC
Or Stace can just tap her on the shoulder Dabs! ;-)
They're taking the trip together!!
Aaaahhhhh the beauty of VT !!!
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:26 PM UTC
I usually recommend Château de Fontainbleu
It's about 45min by SNCF train from Gare de Lyon. Palace is really beautiful anfd older than Versaille. And much less crouded. I only with you a good weather and beleive me you'll enjoy it a lot.
Bon voyage :)
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Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:42 PM UTC
I will also support Château de Fontainbleu. In many ways I find it nicer than Versailles, mainly because there are fewer tourists (but at this time of year even Versailles is ok).
The chatedral in Chartres is ok, but I must admit I was a bit disapointed with the rest of the city. The city of Rouen is ok - don't know how it is in wintertime but cosy in summertime.
Monets garden at this time of the year is probably not the most interesting places to go - how many gardens look wonderful right now??? And the house / museum is not worth the trip alone. Further, I think it is a bit of a hassle to go there if not by car.
Of other places you could go to Reims (chatedral and lots of champagne houses).
Henrik
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:46 PM UTC
Henrik do they still have those nice peacocks in the park? I feed them :) My luck they didn't start singing, lol
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 02:56 PM UTC
I can't remember to see peacocks last I was there (in September). Ok, the weather wasn't perfect that day, so maybe they stayed indoor (do peacocks do that??).
Henrik
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:00 PM UTC
I was there in August and they were walking in the garden. I know that French democracy is quite old but i still don't think that they already gave peacocks right to live in Fontenbleu castle royal appartment :))))
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| Paris |
Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:03 PM UTC
Hi Stace
I would have to agree with Chartres and Fontainbleu...Giverny is beautiful if you go in the Spring time when the gardens are at their best...you can also go to St. Denis...
Janet
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:06 PM UTC
Beauvais is nice little town North of Paris. Probably about an hour by train (it's quite a while I did the trip!). There is an interesting gothic cathedral there. It was built so tall that it collapsed shortly after being built!! There is still part of it though (le coeur), and it is the tallest church of France. There is also a nice history museum in the town, I remember middle-age objects in it. I am sorry, i am quite vague, but it has been a long time!! Good luck!
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:16 PM UTC
How funny!!!
It didn't occur to me, I would fall dead from shock if my husband (and traveling partner) ever helped plan a trip
:-)
Of course, it often works to my benefit as I am dragging him to the theatre and shopping ;-)
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:25 PM UTC
Wow ... what happened here? ... I only went off-line an hour or so ago.
Thanks everyone for your great answers. It's given us plenty to think about and decide where we will go. We have 7 days in Paris so I thought we would have plenty of time to explore the city and do some visits further afield. I'm sure the Château de Fontainbleu will be on our list. Maybe Chartres and Angers too.
I did not realise when I posted this that Carmen had posted a similar question in the France forum. So I now have another forum to go read too :0))
Geisha.... see you next week for an off the beaten path dinner date... ( a Spanish Bodega )
Inga... if we see any peacocks, we will box one up and post it to you ;0)
Stace :0)
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:29 PM UTC
Dabs... I'm happy to help plan the trip, Idont even mind going to the theatre.... but argh.... the shopping. Every evening this week I've been dragged around the shops looking for suitable clothes for Paris. No doubt when in Paris it will get worst ;0))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:33 PM UTC
Stace, pity me,,, if this damned bird start singing at night I'll go crazy :)
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:36 PM UTC
GO crazy Inga????? ;0)))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 03:42 PM UTC
and with whom will Carmen drink here?
just a thought...
:))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 04:04 PM UTC
Chartres can actually be a half-day trip if you are willing to take an early train. [like 8:30am] You could be back in Paris for a late lunch. The main event IS the cathedral and you can do that and the immediate area in a couple of hours.
Angers would be a FULL DAY -- and Chateau Plessis-Bourre would require a car I think, but Angers itself has a lot to see.
I didn't even mention Giverny because it's not so interesting off season and the transportation, while not difficult, is less direct.
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 08:44 PM UTC
Did I heard drinking? ... hehehe...
I will toast my VT friends from the top of the Eiffel tower, Inga I promise! ;-)
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 08:47 PM UTC
Stace, me shopping???? lol You do not really want me saying about what .... or who .... has been shopping today and yesterday .... lol ...
But yes, any shopping tips are apreciated, thanks! ;-)
Now serious I had check train to Chartres, as you say it can be a half day trip...
We keep on looking info, the problem is the more we see, the longer we want to stay lol
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Tue November 18, 2003 10:53 PM UTC
Then stay longer:) Paris and it's region are worth ever moment you can spare :)))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Wed November 19, 2003 07:25 AM UTC
Dont tempt us.... we were only going for five days and it's already been extended to seven :0)
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Wed November 19, 2003 07:27 AM UTC
Serendipity!!! ;-))
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Wed November 19, 2003 07:30 AM UTC
Kismet :0P
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Wed November 19, 2003 07:42 AM UTC
No more days left till 2004 ... snif
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| Paris |
Re: Re: Off the beaten path.... Posted: Wed November 19, 2003 07:37 PM UTC
Carmen, let me know the day u r going to drink at Tour Eiffel and I'll rise a glass here
:)
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