MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
We’re off to the alps in August but have two nights to sort out en-route between our crossing and arrival at our alps accom. The kids have never been to Paris and we fancy using this time to visit. However, we’ll have the car loaded up with the bikes etc so don’t really want to do a hotel in Paris itself where we’d have to worry about sorting the bikes.
I was thinking that maybe we could get an air bnb somewhere out of town that was maybe on a train line that would be easier to de-camp to and then we could just day trip into Paris from there?
Any ideas of places that would work?
can't help with a hotel but worth making sure you have your co2 sticker for your car to avoid fines within the greater paris area.
I’ve always really liked Fontainebleau and the surrounding forest. Probably because of my climbing days but great fun messing around on the boulders in the forest for kids of all ages and also for leisurely bike rides.
Also got a proper chateau to see. And 40 mins in on the train to Gare de Lyon.
We did this on a trip back from Switzerland with the kids in 2017 and stayed at the Aparthotel Adigio Paris XV: we spent most of our time out and about so weren't bothered about the apartment aside it being clean & tidy and central (near a metro...Porte de Versaille) with underground secure parking for the car (put bikes in car given we werent going to use car whilst in Paris)....pretty basic (reviews arent great looking again 😂) but did the job & central, well enough to make it easy to pop out for sightseeing and it was fine for a couple of nights
I'm fairly certain you only need a Certificat-Air sticker if you are driving within the Paris Peripherique. Or if you are going to other cities such as Lyon or Grenoble.
As far as somewhere to stay, have you considered Versailles? We've stayed there regularly instead of staying in Paris itself. Versailles mainly because it's a lot cheaper and feels more 'French' than the big city next door!
It's not a big town, feels very safe, plenty of places to eat and drink, a rail station with direct access to Paris in the town centre.
The added advantage, even if you don't go inside is the spectacle of the Palace.
Maybe a hotel near the airport?
Cheers
Fontainebleau and Versailles look like what I was after. Will have a closer look at those.
We used to stop off in Chantilly on our way back north to catch the ferry home from trips to the Alps. It meant I could avoid the worst of the roads around Paris. There's a fast train into Paris or you can visit the Chateau in Chantilly. We're going home via Versailles this year for a change.
Looong time ago I drove from Calais to the Dordogne & back. On the way south stayed overnight in a town called Dreux, Chartres on the way back. Both looked pleasant enough
Twice now I’ve stayed in Chantille. Really beautiful place. And an easy train ride into the centre.