From Paris, Where Next?

[Jennykenny]

Got return tickets booked on the Eurostar to Paris in March.
Trainwise., where can I go and stay for a couple of days, about an hour to two hours travel from Paris, that would be interesting. And if possible, just to jump on a train without booking beforehand.
Want to go further than Versailles etc. thanks.

[murraymints]

Chartres is nice and not that far from Paris..within striking distance of Monet Gardens and lovely chateaux around to visit....

[murraymints]

http://www.booking.com/city/fr/chartres.html?aid=308014&label=msn-B*BkXCmtvqnLgRYRWrY9Ag-5368206708&utm_campaign=France&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=chartres%20france

[murraymints]

or Tours

http://www.booking.com/city/fr/tours.html?aid=308014&;label=msn-L1T0YwtB8*edxp6Bh7c2rg-5368287660&utm_campaign=France&utm_medium=cpc&;utm_source=bing&utm_term=tours%20france

[Buenchico]

Lille is fantastic, with a beautiful historic old city centre and an absolutely fabulous art museum. (When I visited it with a friend she rated it as far better than the Louvre. It's also a great deal cheaper and without the crowds). It's 1 hour from Paris Nord by train:
http://en.lilletourism.com/

Reims is only about three quarters an hour away from Paris Est:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/9141121/Reims-France-a-cultural-city-guide.html
and
http://www.reims-tourism.com/

Rouen is about 1h 20m from Paris St Lazare:
http://gofrance.about.com/od/lownormandyregion/a/Guide-to-Rouen-in-Normandy.htm
and
http://www.rouentourisme.com/?tabid=2508&language=en-US

Tours is about 1¼ hours from Paris Montparnasse:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/8263855/Tours-France-A-cultural-guide.html
and
http://www.tours-tourisme.fr/ (Change language from the top right of the page)

Dijon is about 1½ hours from Paris Gare Lyon:
http://www.visitdijon.com/en/

Brussels has a lot of history. It's about 1h 20m from Paris Nord:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/belgium/brussels/35301/Brussels-city-break-guide.html
and
http://visitbrussels.be/bitc/front/home/display/lg/en/section/visiteur.do

[jourdain2]

Try Poitiers. Richard the Lionheart built chateau, Eleanor of Aquitaine lived here etc., the battle of Poitiers pushed back the Saracen advance into Europe. Lots of history. It was heavily bombed at the end of the war (by us, to cut communications) but is still very interesting all around and is not well known. There is also Futuroscope for those interested. Lots of things to do, but I think I'd hire a car.

[atalanta]

Don't go to Reims, or Rheims as the case may be. They still haven't forgotten the part played by the English in the burning of Joan of Arc.
Unless you are from Scotland.

[Zacs-Master]

I would recommend Lille too. Charming town with a big wheel in the town square when we went. Had the best meal I've ever had in France (and I've travelled around quite a bit). Steak with green beans in butter at 11pm at night served by waiters in black aprons with white shirts. The restaurant was all mirrors set in art nouveau frames. It was (I imagine) like the 1920s.

[Zacs-Master]

She's on the train Methyl. Or did you miss that bit?

[Zacs-Master]

Oh right. (?)

[jno]

Auvers, where Van Gogh spent his last days (doing a painting a day) and is buried with his brother. They have copies of the paintings around town where he painted them, eg in the cornfield.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auvers-sur-Oise

There's a direct train but usually only in summer; other times I think you change at Pontoise. But I think it's really a day-trip rather than two days, so maybe not what you're after.

[wolf63]

I can't help you with destinations, I have been to Paris but as a rule I don't travel well.

Enjoy your trip and have a really relaxing holiday.

[Jennykenny]

Thanks to everyone, and as always, Buenchico, I'm astounded at the range of your knowledge.
Reims it is, particularly as Gare de L'est is just round the corner from Gare du a Nord.

[Jennykenny]

And yes, I'm Scottish, so I should be okay. Will have to find a flag to stick onto my handbag.

[Samuraisan]

Go to Lyon. And pre book to dine at Paul Bocus restaurant, an experience you will never forget.