Last month we talked about the castles of the Loire and the possibility of visiting some, not the best, it must be said, on an organized tour. I said then that it was still worth it and it is, as long as you have little time and do not have a car. But in the surroundings of Paris there is more to know.
France is a small country and near the capital there are tourist treasures that can be seen in single day excursions: Sain Germain en Laye, Saint Denis Cathedral, Vencennes Castle, Impressionist Island and Sain Maur des Fossés are clear examples.
Excursion to Saint Germain en Laye
This destination it's only half an hour from Paris by train. You take the RER into the city from the Parisian station of Chatelet Les Halles. When you arrive you will stumble upon a charming medieval and royal site as used to be the residence of some French monarchs. The castle, for example, is where the famous Sun King was born.
You can visit the royal chapel, in Gothic style, and walk through the gardens. Today in the castle the National Museum of Archeology works with an exhibition that spans time in which a 25 thousand-year-old piece of ivory known as The Lady of Brassempouy.
The museum is free to enter on the first Sunday of the month, although the entrance to the chapel and the archaeological exhibition costs 7 euros. Another attraction is the wide stone terrace dating from the XNUMXth century, which is 2.4 kilometers long and allows you to enjoy a great view of the Seine and its valley.
Saint Denis Cathedral Tour
If you are a lover of medieval churchesThose that really make you feel like heaven exists, this cathedral is fantastic. The works ended in 1144 and it is Gothic style. The truth is that a beauty that nothing has to envy Notre Dame and it always has far fewer visitors.
Admission is free although the entrance to the crypt costs 8 euros. If you want to see royal tombs, you will have to pay for them. But maybe a good time to visit Saint Denis is go when there is a market, the Marché de Saint Denis, a multicultural event that takes place three days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The appointment is the Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Saint Denis it is a 25 minute metro ride from the center, taking Line 13. Get off at Basilique de Saint-Denis.
Excursion to the Château de Vincennes
This excursion is a little further but it does not take an hour of travel. It has to do with the history of France, but not that of kings but that of emperors because it was a country residence of Napoleon.
The elegant house is in Rueil Malmaison and it serves as a window to that time as the decoration of its rooms has been preserved. The house was the favorite of the emperor's wife and she was his most assiduous visitor, though the Marquis de Sade was a prisoner a time in their dungeons.
To get there, take the metro, Line 1, to La Défense. From there you can take a bus, 258, to the mansion. You can also take the RER A to Rueil Malmaison and from there walk just over half an hour to the mansion. The hike is nice. The entrance costs 6, 50 euros.
Excursion to the Island of the Impressionists
Impressionism is a artistic movement that emerged at the end of the XNUMXth century. His brushstrokes, like lost, overlapping, always on the run, tried to better reflect the games of colors and lights that the human eye sees.
Monet, Manet, RenoirThey are some of its most famous exponents and although you do not know much about this pictorial trend, surely if you see a painting and they tell you that it is an impressionist, you will know it. The Island of the Impressionists to which we refer is in the Seine and here is a little house that appears reflected in a work by Renoir and that still exists.
The painting restaurant still exists and it's a great place to eat and spend the day. You eat, walk, rest and see the same natural landscapes that enchanted the troupe of artists. There is also a museum in the place, impressionism museumObviously, so as not to leave without understanding this avant-garde movement.
If you go in high season or on a very good day, it may be convenient to call the restaurant and make a reservation. How do you get there? You take the RER A to Chatou Croissy from the Parisian station of Chatelet Les Halles.
Excursion to Saint Maur des Fossés
To do this excursion from Paris too you must depart from Chatelet Les Halles station on RER A, but get off at Le Parc du Saint Maur. The trip takes no more than half an hour.
It's a good idea to go on a well-equipped sunny day for a picnic. If you want you can buy the provisions in Paris or in the medieval town, but the good thing is to bring a blanket or something to sit comfortably. The main street leading out of the station has many shops to buy drinks, cheeses and French pastries.
What is there to see? Saint Maur des Fossés it is a medieval destination, There is a statue of the Virgin Mary dating from the XNUMXth century that according to a legend was created in a miraculous way. That is why it is revered. There are also the ruins of a XNUMXth century abbey that today have been left in the center of a park with other ruins, those of a XNUMXth century residence.
Let's say it's a excursion rest from the noise of Paris, to wander among the ruins and have delicious French food for lunch.