Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

10 days road trip ideas near Paris

Country forums / Western Europe / France

Hello all!

I will be in Paris the last two weeks of September. I have already crisscrossed paris and my boyfriend and I really wish to get out of the city and explore the country more. I have ten days and have already done Versailles. I'd like to do something scenic, historic, romantic. And really have no interest in WW1/2 history. Any ideas and or suggestions appreciated. We will be going by car from Paris. Any amazing castles?

Do a search here on day trips from Paris. There are many options available to you. Here is a lot of information on France with many photo essays that may help you decide on places to visit. http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/board/24/france The castles of the Loire Valley http://www.france.fr/en/sites-and-monuments/castles-loire-valley.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel

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Google 'Day trips from Paris', it might give you a few ideas?

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I think what I'm looking for is longer than day trips. I want to get it and stay out. We have a rental car and I have spent much time driving in the Middle East and Spain so have no issues just about anywhere. I'm almost wondering if it's possible in that short time to do the French alps, maybe even as far as Milan. I love driving and am no stranger to long treks but I do want to relax and enjoy this trip.

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"Scenic, historic, romantic..."
The chateau of Chantilly, north of Paris, fits the bill. The well-preserved medieval town of SENLIS is just 15 minutes away.
With a car rental, the Loire Valley with its
many castles in a wine-producing region, is very scenic and romantic. Check out the walled bastide of Loches, which has its own castle in a town lost in time.
Farther south is the Dordogne region, with more villages and castles in towns such as Castelnaud, Beynac Figeac, Domme and Sarlat. There are many regions of France you would find interesting.

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No problem in September to go into the French Alps for some days from Paris. Even Milan is possible (this city is not in the Alps for information). For the distance, the price for motorways and fuel look at viamichelin.com

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September is one of the best months for Alsace, and also the Alps, as mentioned by regards. Strasbourg is about a 5-hour drive on the autoroute from Paris if you have no interest in anything in between (Reims, Metz...), and then you could stick to the small local roads with spectacular villages.

Here is how Strasbourg in September looked when I went there at that time of year.

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You did mention Versailles in the OP, that is where i got the 'day trip' idea from from!

And indeed Milan and the French Alps are 'out of town', and are not 'around Paris' as you as places you requested info on in your OP.

Thanks for wasting my time.

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