Interesting Towns near Paris?

Question

I am going to Paris next weekend and it will be my 12th visit - I have visited all the "sights" several times and would really like to spend a day or half a day visitin somewhere else nearby.

I am not bothered about anywhere obviously touristy like Versailles or Chartres. I really like nice French towns with a "real" feel to them. Last time I went to St Dennis and St Germain-en-Laye and liked them both so can anyone recommend anywhere similar near Paris that might be worth seeing? I would go further afield but would prefer it if is on the RER. I have already been to Beauvais, Amiens and Rouen.

Answer 1

Have you been to Lyon? Its only a 2 hour train trip away and is the capital of gastronomy in France in addition to being an interesting city generally. Okay, its hardly a "town" but certainly worth the trip.

Answer 2

Why not in Bourges ? It is the capital of the Berry and there is a rich past in the region. I live in and there are a lot of castles to go in, museum of the witchcraft, the place where we can hear the stars (i dont remember the name), Sancerre... a lot of things, really.

Answer 3

Try Fontainebleau and le château de Veau Le Viconte, or Tours.

Answer 4

You should check out Chantilly.  It's just about 40 miles north of Paris and it's the horse capital of France.  There's a beautiful castle (parts of a 007 movie was shot there), amazing living museum, huge forests etc.

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

Strasbourg is another neat city.

http://www.strasbourg.com/

The Mont St-Michel is another remarkable place.  

http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/accuei...

Reims is another important city in French history.

Answer 5

St Germain-en-Laye is a really nice town - it's hard to suggest anything better really. I live in Versailles, and I would point out that there is actually more to it than the chateau - nearly all of the tourists are found more or less directly between the Rive Gauche station and the chateau, and perhaps 300-400 metres either side. However next weekend is still the holidays, so there will be too many shops closed to be worth a visit - even the fantastic Sunday market is smaller at this time of year.

If you're looking for something real rather than touristy, then small towns on the RER near me you could try are Saint Rémy les Chevreuses, Bièvres and Sceaux. Fontainebleau and Giverny are nice, but touristy and perhaps you've been there.

Answer 6

Auvers sur Oise  30Km from Paris, "homeland" of many impressionists such as Van Gogh,Pissaro, Cézanne(espacially during the summer the village is beautiful, flowers everywhere...)

Other places very interesting

Provins :

http://www.linternaute.com/voyager/unesc...

http://uk.franceguide.com/maps/france/re...

Pontoise :

http://www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourism...

Vincennes (you can take the Métro)

http://www.linternaute.com/paris/histoir...

.

Answer 7

Reims, Champagne. Famous for its sparkling wine and its cathedral (55 minutes by train)

Caen,Normandy. Omaha beach,Pegasus bridge, German bunkers. (2h by train)

Dijon, Burgundy. vineyards and healthy food. (1h30 by train)