• Giverny town map from Tourist office
    Day Trip,  Giverny,  Let's Explore

    Day Trip to Giverny via Vernon

    A day trip to Giverny is easy. The SNCF train from Gare Saint-Lazare takes you to Vernon/Giverny in 45 minutes. Rent a bike across from the train station and take your time pedaling to Giverny. The biggest piece of advice: buy your tickets in advance to Monet's house. Follow the online ticket links at Foundation Claude Monet. Twenty minutes before departure in the direction of Rouen Rive Droite, the departing platform (voie) is posted. While you wait, enjoy the updated three-level shopping mall at Gare Saint-Lazare. If you want to "powder your nose" the "2theloo" spot is open from 6 am to midnight and is constantly being wiped down and…

  • Rear exterior of Château Champs-sur-Marne
    Day Trip,  Ile-de-France,  Seeing Paris

    Day trip to Château Champs-sur-Marne

    Why not forego the hassle of shooting your next film at Versailles or the Élysee Palace. Instead, head out to the Château Champs-sur-Marne, less than an hour from the Bastille. The château and grounds have been popular movie locations. The journey from Gare de Lyon makes for a relaxing day trip to the countryside. If you are not shooting a film, the day trip is worth it anyway. What you will see The château is filled with furniture and extensive decorative interiors, including bathrooms, a smoking room, salons, bedchambers, service corridor, children’s dining room (formerly a bathroom), the smoking room and a billiard room (in case you are looking for decorating ideas). You can…

  • Auvers Painter
    Day Trip,  Let's Explore

    Finding Information for Auvers-sur-Oise

    Once again, a welcomed reader's comments jiggled my chain for an update. This time about transportation to Auvers-sur-Oise. The Auvers-sur-Oise Tourist Office's website has a page to keep us all current on how to reach the village by train, bus or car. Reach Auvers-sur-Oise from Paris using various methods: a private excursion tour, driving, train (30 minute ride), or the RER plus a bus. A special direct train runs the first Saturday of April to the first Sunday in November. Read more details about transportation....

  • Christie Semmens, Seine River, Saint Augustin, Van Gogh and beer taps
    Let's Explore

    Christie Semmens’ Three Paris Suggestions

    Often I give advice to travelers and ask them to return the favor with their experiences. Responses to that request would cover the rounded top of a straight pin. But one day I received a response from Christie Semmens of Scribbles and Smiles. Having seen my story and photos about the Paris Photo walk at Pont Alexandre III, Christie wrote: "I've been searching for a photo group or photographer who offers a session with helpful instruction; to take photos and ....

  • Along the promenade of Lake Enghien
    Ile-de-France,  Travel Destinations

    Paris Day Trip to Enghien-les-Bains

    The spa town, Enghien-les-Bains, began as the Prince of Condé's hamlet in 1689. While on a walk near the "pond" in 1766, Abby Louis Cotte happens upon the sulfurous waters. Once the waters are taken to heal an ulcer in the leg of Louis XVIII in 1823, the hamlet becomes a popular destination. The National Assembly declares ts official birth date of 1850. From Gare du Nord, the trip takes less than 15 minutes (seven miles from Paris) to Enghien-les-Bains....