tab545

Go out to Mont St. Michel, a little island outcropping of rock perched on the mud flats in the Atlantic, all of which flood at high tide, connected only by a causeway. (Pay careful attention to the times posted in the parking lots: they really will seriously flood at the appointed hour, leaving lots of amused gawkers when somebody leaves a car there to get flooded by seawater.) You can spend a night in the little village on the island (used to be a monastery, but France isn't so much about church any more). Then drive to Normandy etc. The tapestry at Bayeux is a cool historical relic from right after the Battle of Hastings. Places like Honfleur are pretty to stay overnight, too. Do this rather than London. You can do that another time. Easier to get to.

dlevi67

Interesting that the vast majority of comments here came from US-based members. When I read the OP, my thoughts went along the lines of Versailles, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Fontainebleau, perhaps Chartres, Troyes or Reims, or - if you are talking far away - Bruxelles and Bruges. And here are people suggesting trips to Normandy or Strasbourg. Clearly the notion of "near" is far from common.

On the theme of London - perhaps it's because when I'm travelling for business I rarely have more than half a day (or a short weekend), but I find the idea of getting on a train to London fairly unappealing, since I'd be "wasting" half a day in the process to reach somewhere that is well connected to the US (travel using what you like, it's more than 4 hours travelling time from any hotel in Paris to one in London, once you factor in taxi rides, check-in/security clearance times and waiting).

ro11dice

I'll have more than half a day to tack on to my Paris trip. I don't mind the travel times from Paris as long as the destination is worth it. Thanks for the add'l suggestions.

narvselius

A totally differrent track (!) is to take the TGV (Train ? Grande Vitesse, the high speed train that does 350 kph) to France second city Lyon. Lyon is known as the food capital in France, and if you go to some nice restaurants in Lyon you'll never want to eat in Paris again.

Also, the speak a slower version of French in the south east so if you have some knowledge of French you'll stand much better chance of understanding what they say!

More about Lyon: http://www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/en/

C's Bimmer

Go to the south of france and spend a few days on the beach. Bypass Paris altogether. I'd hit Juan Le Pins.

JStraw

I second that!! Took the TGV from Paris to Lyon during our honeymoon. Fantastic food in Lyon.