Day trip ideas

Hello everyone,

Assuming I%26#39;m already going to Versailles on another day, what do you think is a good idea for a day trip out of Paris? I have to admit, if it%26#39;s a sunny day in late October (hehe), the idea of the lush French countryside is very appealing to me, however, seeing the D-Day landing beaches would also be a very big interest.

Is there anyway to combine %26#39;French countryside%26#39; with being able to see Normandy? Perhaps a tour of some description? Is this trip out to Normandy quite scenic? I alas will not be able to rent a car this time around. A tour bus that leaves from Paris or a train to a particular destination and then go on a tour bus from there would be ideal.

Then again, the Loire Valley, Champagne region etc is meant to be quite pretty... help! How do you pack all of France in to a day? :-)

Thank you.

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We%26#39;ve had enjoyable tour experiences using Paris Vision and Cityrama. Been to Brugges, Normandy D Day beaches, and the Loire Valley. Chck out the websites for thes companies.

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The Normandy D-Day Beaches area is accessible via SNCF train from PARIS-Gare Saint Lazare to CAEN and BAYEUX...where you can hook-up with a local tour operator there. It%26#39;s a loooong day...best begun with a 7 AM train from Paris. The train ride takes approx 2--2 1/2 hrs. and you%26#39;ll get to see some of the countryside as you go and return.

For the Loire chateaux region, you might be best served by one of the escorted tour operators directly from Paris...OR...taking an early AM TGV from PARIS-Gare Montparnasse out to TOURS (approx 1:15 hrs) and hooking up with a local tour operator there for a tour of two or three Loire chateaux and countryside. The same applies to the Chanpagne region with TGV%26#39;s to REIMS (and perhaps onward to Epernay) from PARIS--Gare de l%26#39; Est in approx 45 mins.

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Thank you. Which stop would you recommend, Bayeux or Caen for connecting with a good tour operator? I understand I%26#39;d need to switch trains at Caen to get to Bayeux? Perhaps worth just stopping at Caen and joining a tour from there?

If so, which tour operator is generally recommended in Caen? Perhaps one that will take me through the Peace museum as well?

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%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;How do you pack all of France in to a day%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;

I believe the following destinations represent more realistic possibilities for day trips from Paris than those you have suggested which require lengthy travel times (Loire Valley, Champagne, or Normandy):

vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/infos-pratiques-chate…

http://www.chateaudechantilly.com/

http://www.giverny.fr/

http://giverny.org/gardens/

http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/

http://www.provins.net/

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Ifr you are in Paris for many weeks then take a couple of days for a trip to the Loire or whatever

but for a day trip -- I wouldn%26#39;t want a several hour trip each way -- I%26#39;d go for Chartres or similarly nearby sites

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You can use the %26#39;..SEARCH IN..%26quot; feature of this TA site (located below the GREEN line on the main PARIS FORUM Topics page), using, %26#39;..Daytrips..%26#39;...%26#39;..Paris Daytrips..%26#39;...Daytrips From Paris..%26#39; etc as you basic Search criteria and come up with several archived threads on the topic....many respones with rather detailed information, suggestions and directions on these daytrips. From the LOT of these possibilities, you can draw up your own %26#39;..short list..%26#39; of those that attract your interest and return with any questions not answered or fully explained within these threads.

You could easily come up with %26#39;..plans..%26#39; for a few / several possibilities...that you might pick and choose from once in Paris...as mood and moment present.

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There are some trains that leave from Gare St. Lazare that go to Bayeux without a change at Caen. If you search the web under D-day beach 1/2 day tours you will find 3 or 4 companies that offer them. You can reserve on line. Some will pick you up at the TI in the middle of town and all will deposit you at the RR station at the end of the tour. If you take an early train, you will be able to see the Bayeux Tapestry which depicts the life of William the Conqueror. It is a short walk from the RR station on your way into the town center. Bayeux is a beautiful little town and you will be able to have lunch prior to starting the tour. (usually 1 PM to 5:30 PM)

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I agree with previous poster that Bayeux is an excellent staging point since it is in itself an attractive destination. You are in for a LONG day to add in Bayeux and the D-Day sites from Paris though.

Last year I researched this company and would have booked had our itenerary not changed. I have no personal experience with them, so caveat emptor. www.private-tours-paris.com/index.html.

The D-Day sites are memorable. I%26#39;ll never forget the American Cemetary or standing on Omaha Beach. For me, the experience is worth reconfiguring our travel plans. As an added bonus, Mormandie is beautiful and the people there very pleasant.

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Some great information there. I%26#39;ve done some searching, and I think I%26#39;m definately set on heading out to Normandy, it%26#39;ll be a long day but well worth it I think.

Question is, which is a better pre-cursor to a D-Day tour, the Caen Memorial or the Bayeux Tapestry? I suspect I prefer to see the Caen Memorial as it is meant to be a great museum. And there are some landing beach tours available right from the museum.

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I have not done this tour, but have read posts about people who swear by the D day tour company called %26quot; Battlebuses%26quot; , perhaps do a search on this site or google .,, good luck.

ps these are LONG day trips ,, but hey its not like you have to work the next day right, and you don%26#39;t have to make your bed, or cook your dinner, so if you really want to push yourself for one day to see some site, go for it! You can sleep in a bit the next day , have a lazy morning in a sidewalk cafe and watch the world go by the next day! That is as much Paris as anything! LOL