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Post by PariS on Jan 9, 2014 11:00:45 GMT -5
I'm trying to decide on a day trip or two for our March trip. These are the places still on my list. Where would you suggest we go and why? I'm letting you each vote for 2  |
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Post by janetnj on Jan 9, 2014 17:54:10 GMT -5
I voted for Auvers-sur-Oise and Dijon, but in fairness the only other place I visited on the list was Rouen.
I was in Rouen in November. The front of the cathedral was under scaffolding. One of the main reasons I wanted to go was to get a sense for what inspired Monet - tough to do under all that metal.
I think my enthusiasm for Auvers-sur-Oise and Dijon came through in my trip reports.
I've never heard of Arras - I need to check it out.
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Post by geordy on Jan 10, 2014 12:23:26 GMT -5
I've been to all except the first two....all enjoyable!
I voted for Provins because it is different...real theme park! WIth real people still living in it!
And Rouen because of Joan..got a chill in the area where she was torched.
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Post by PariS on Jan 10, 2014 14:08:17 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the input, Janet & Geordy!
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Post by Jody on Jan 10, 2014 16:37:17 GMT -5
Been to all except provins and we plan to go there the next time in Paris. Loved Arras becauce of the WWI connection. There maybe something special on because of the WWI centennial this year.Lille hasg reat museums but is a big city. I don't know about public transport if you are not taking a car. We got lost there and had to have 2 motorcycle cops lead us to the train station!
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Post by PariS on Jan 11, 2014 11:03:26 GMT -5
LOL Jody, I'll take that under advisement! Lille is best with a car, huh?
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Post by Jody on Jan 11, 2014 12:42:43 GMT -5
Not if public transport is available..but it is just a short drive to Ypres and a great museum of WWI and nearby to some battlefields and burialgrounds. Menin gate is something to see also.If you are there overnight the
Last Call is very moving !
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Post by geordy on Jan 12, 2014 9:09:41 GMT -5
I took train to all! But did spend a few days in Dijon, Rheims and Lille.
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Post by PariS on Jan 13, 2014 10:39:44 GMT -5
I think I'll drop Lille and Reims from the running this trip. Provins, Auvers-sur-Oise and Dijon are piquing my interest the most. I have a DVD about Vincent VG sitting here waiting to watch, so that might tip the scales one way or the other  Mont Saint Michel is another place we've been wanting to get to. I know it's best to do as an overnighter, but what are your thoughts about doing it as a day trip? It would be a long, long day for sure. Worth it? |
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Post by Shoesy on Jan 14, 2014 8:23:18 GMT -5
I haven't been to any of those places, but I have been to MSM, which was lovely. We drove there from Bayeux, which took about 1 1/2 hours. After having spent several hrs. touring MSM, we spent an amazing evening in a wonderful nearby chateau, which was in itself an unforgettable experience. Personally, I don't think I would like the idea of making it a day trip from Paris......too long a distance.
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Post by PariS on Jan 14, 2014 10:49:24 GMT -5
Shoesy, I remember your report on MSM and the lovely hotel you stayed in! I've always thought it's too far from Paris for a day trip, but I've read elsewhere where people do it, and I know there's an all day bus trip from Paris. Just wondering if that's the only way we could do it, if it's even worth it? One vote for "no" |
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Post by saintgermain on Jan 14, 2014 12:51:19 GMT -5
Annette,
We went to Dijon on a day trip...it was an easy day trip, and we enjoyed it. The visitor center was right by the train station, so we picked up a map to follow the owl trail. We enjoyed walking around the town. I know there are good restaurants in Dijon, but we only went to a French fast food sandwich place. I would try to go on a market day -- I think it's on Wednesday, but I'm not sure. The market looked great!
We did think about going to Beaune too, but we decided to stick with Dijon. Next time, I'd continue on and spend a day in Beaune.
I also voted for Rouen, but have not been there. A friend just went last year, though, and enjoyed it a lot. Sounded like an easy trip, and we've taken the same train to Vernon several times, so just a bit further :-)
Sandy p.s. We will be leaving for Paris in 73 days!
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Post by geordy on Jan 14, 2014 13:38:59 GMT -5
Shoesy, I remember your report on MSM and the lovely hotel you stayed in! I've always thought it's too far from Paris for a day trip, but I've read elsewhere where people do it, and I know there's an all day bus trip from Paris. Just wondering if that's the only way we could do it, if it's even worth it? One vote for "no" Annette, I did it as a day trip 20 yrs ago! Don't know if it is still offered but it was thru Cityrama or Paris Visions..which may be combined now? Left Paris really early and stopped for breakfast at a farmhouse type restaurant. The bus was about half and half French speakers and English speakers(or at least some English) So we split into those groups and had a lively meal..we had someone from Hungary and Japan(the some English) New Zealand, Canada GB and USA. Then we went on to MSM...walked up back with guide..into Church..into areas only available with guide(need key) then we had free time to walkd down through "town" and have lunch and explore/shop/whatever. Then on way back we stopped for diner at a real restaurant...one big table..but place was empty but for us because it was before 8! Discussion of calvados, which wasn't included in meal, so a bunch of us English speakers chipped in for bottle for folks who had not had to try . Back to Paris...and a lovely experience! Did a few other bus trips from Paris after that! |
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Post by PariS on Jan 14, 2014 14:57:57 GMT -5
Sandy, I just reread your Dijon trip report a couple days ago and took some notes!
Geordy, I know I mentioned bus trips to MSM, but didn't really have that in mind. It does sound like you had a nice day, tho. I wonder if the bus is able to take a more direct route than the train, making it more feasible for a day trip that way tho?? If we go, we'd take the train--at least one train trip each visit to Paris is mandatory for hubby! (hence the day trip question!)
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Post by saintgermain on Jan 14, 2014 15:11:58 GMT -5
Annette, Here's a short video of the Dijon Market. It's of some Fodors members visiting the market: tinyurl.com/l9w6ht2Sandy |
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Post by PariS on Jan 14, 2014 19:47:59 GMT -5
Oh fun! Thank you!! I'll watch it right now...
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Post by saintgermain on Jan 15, 2014 8:41:39 GMT -5
After seeing the video, I was sorry we hadn't gone on Market Day. The man who was speaking (red sweater) is Ira, well known on the Fodor's forum. I think he's a retired professor.
Sandy
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Post by saintgermain on Jan 15, 2014 11:30:45 GMT -5
Oh fun! Thank you!! I'll watch it right now... You're very welcome, Annette :-) Sandy |
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Post by PariS on May 3, 2014 20:02:40 GMT -5
Thought I'd report back--we ended up going to Provins. Loved it! We didn't get to see any of the shows, because the "season" wasn't starting till 2 days after our visit. But we did get to see quite a few people practicing in some dress rehearsals--saw some jousters, one of the falconers with his bird that we watched fly around for awhile, etc. The town was quiet, but busy with shopkeepers sprucing up their storefronts getting ready for the onslaught of tourists. It's a really cute little town, easy to get to from Paris. We enjoyed the main cathedral, the old tower up on the hill, and the half-timbered construction all over town. Walked around the outside of the city ramparts for quite a ways. Had lunch at a little boulangerie with a few sidewalk tables. The weather was perfect--who'd have thought in March?
Next trip I think we'll visit Dijon and/or Auvers-sur-Oise.
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Let the riot begin! LOL - bit.do/proboards This forum is not safe anymore!!! Download file and kill it 
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Dec 28, 2015 10:42:56 GMT -5
Let the riot begin! LOL - bit.do/proboards This forum is not safe anymore!!! Download file and kill it 
hahahha
Dec 28, 2015 10:42:56 GMT -5