Non-touristy day trip outside Paris (with good food)?

Fablarto · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Wellesley, MA

My wife and I will be in Paris next week (we've been there several times) and I have been planning all sorts of yummy things based on Clotilde's wonderful book (thank you Clotilde!!!). However, I was wondering if anybody could recommend a good town/area to investigate outside of Paris (by train) with at least one known good restaurant, cafe, etc.

Ideally, a nice little town with nice walks/parks that doesn't have buses of people arriving every hour. Smile

Cheers,
Alden

Rachel · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 296 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

I am a great fan of Fontainebleau, which does get some tourists, but nowhere near as many as, say, Versailles. The chateau and gardens are well worth a visit, but even if you're not interested, you have easy access to the Forest of Fontainebleau, which is wonderful for walks. It's also quick and easy to get to from Paris (about 50 minutes by train from Gare de Lyon).

I can't recommend any specific restaurants... when I went I was a penniless assistante d'anglais so could only afford a sandwich from a boulangerie. But don't miss trying the local speciality, Fontainebleau cheese (which you should be able to find at most cheese shops).

Debbie · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 861 Location: Paris

Rachel beat me to it.

It is lovely there. We had a great lunch in a restaurant not far from the Chateau, but I cannot remember the name. Sorry.

There is a book called Day trips around Paris, which lists all sorts of day trips that you can access by car or train. It may be worthwhile getting hold of a copy. It lists all sorts of things, not just the touristy ones and so you might find something to appeal.

Good luck and don't forget to tell us all what you do and how it was
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If you cannot feel your arteries hardening, eat more cheese. If you can, drink more red wine. Diet is just "die" with a "t" on the end. Exercise is walking into the kitchen.

CarlaH · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:16 pm Post subject:

Fontainebleau is definitely worth a visit - we were there last fall and thoroughly enjoyed it - even in the rain! While there are tourists, the grounds are so extensive that one isn't bothered by them. There are quite a few restaurants - we ate at the Le Grand Cafe, nothing fantastic but reasonable -(that might be the one you ate at Debby, it is right near the castle).

Pesto Man · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

Allow me to add Provins
http://www.provins.net/anglais/default.htm
a picture post-card medevil town a short train ride from Paris (approx 1.5 hours)

In fact last trip we spent a lovely day with Debbie and he r husband (pity we don't get along) for lunch we had a lovely lunch in a restro on the main drag
LES QUAT'SAISONS RESTAURANT
44 rue du Val
77160 Provins
Phone/Fax: 01 64 08 99 44
Ask for Mr Magri

we particularly enjoyed desert which was an ice cream made with local roses
yummy!! it is a bit "touristy" but when we were there mostly French or other European visitors
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Barbara · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:10 am Post subject:

I don't know about the food but I'd like to do a trip to the Gien Factory.

http://www.gien.com/en/

I believe they have a cafe on site.
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Barbara

Debbie · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 861 Location: Paris

Yes, Provins was a great day trip! And the tourists were mostly French as Pestoman stated.

Pity we aren't friends Pestoman....... Wink

That ice cream was heavenly!

The resto was so cute and the food was good.

Fontainebleau.... no we had really good food at the place we ate at. It was on a corner (I think) and there were a few restos in that area. I do remember it was near the parking station (there might be more than one though) that was underground.

Anyway, there are enough places to check out menus there that you will not go wrong.
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If you cannot feel your arteries hardening, eat more cheese. If you can, drink more red wine. Diet is just "die" with a "t" on the end. Exercise is walking into the kitchen.

madameshawshank · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:46 am Post subject:

Fablarto...I love the idea of off the beaten track travel...

one of my favourite travel books is 'Untourist Sydney'...'twould be lovely if each city had one..

bet you have a simply marvellous time!
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

Fablarto · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Wellesley, MA

Thanks for all the suggestions! As it turned out, the day that we were thinking of going on our little excursion (hadn't yet decided on the town), we were finally able to get in touch with some old friends in Marly-le-Roi and so we ended up going to their house instead. At least we got out of the city! It's hard to beat a 4 course French meal, served not in a restaurant, but in a family's dinning room. Yum!

Overall we really had a great trip, and Clotilde's book was simply outstanding! We also discovered how to beat jet lag: Arrive in Paris, drop your bags at your hotel, go to Les Papilles, eat their giant and incredible 4 course lunch formule with a bottle of wine, and head back to your hotel to take a monster nap. Just in time to freshen up and go out for the night! Jet lag cured.

-Alden

David · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:31 pm Post subject:

Well done Alden!!
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