Amboise or Mont St. Michel?

Hope to get some advice. We are couple in early 30s. We have slightly more than 24 hours to visit one of the places near Paris before heading to CDG to catch the flight back to Singapore at 1200 noon. We are planning to travel to either Amboise or Mont St. Michel from the Republique with a %26#39;green%26#39; car, and return it at CDG.

I like Mont St Michel but it seems to be too ambitious and is having risk of missing the flight. Amboise is nearer but it seems to be far less popular than the ealier.

Besides, I know that Toyota Pirius is a hybrid green car, is MBenz A-Class a %26#39;green%26#39; car in France? It is not hybrid isn%26#39;t it?

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Given that you need to be at your check-in area at CDG by 09:00 AT THE LATEST and would have to return your rental car first, I wouldn%26#39;t recommend either.

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Have you thought of taking a bus tour of either of the two sites? or do you arrive to late into Paris?

Also what month are you going to Paris?

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Hi Casey

What time would you be able to leave Paris the day before you fly to Singapore? You could be able to take the train to Amboise and return that night. You should have enough time to see the Chateau and Clos Luce and have an early dinner as the last train to Paris from Amboise leaves at about 9pm most weekdays. Check the horaires on www.sncf.fr to see which outward trains you could catch,

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I guess I%26#39;m confused. Are you visiting paris as well, or are you just in paris for 24 hours and looking for somewhere to go?

I would probably go somewhere closer, like:

Champagne

Chantilly

Giverny

Versailles

Fontainebleau

You could do any of those in a day, come back to Paris or to the airport to sleep ...

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I wouldn%26#39;t recommend that you stay anywhere outside Paris that would involve your driving to CDG from anywhere more than an hour or so away. Specifically both Amboise and Le MtStM are WAY too far from CDG in terms of driving time AND on the opposite side of Paris from the airport which would mean you would be driving ACROSS Paris at rush hour. Not a good plan IMO...

If you want to spend your last night somewhere other than Paris (assuming this is something you are tacking on to the end of a visit there) you might consider taking the TGV to Dijon, 100 minutes from Paris. Then on the day you are leaving you could take the direct TGV that leaves Dijon about 06:30 and arrives at CDG at about 08:20.

Timetables and fares at voyages-sncf.com

And besides it%26#39;s even greener than driving a Prius!

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I would be staying in Annecy for 3 days and Paris for 2+3 days (with some business commitments) before departure for the trip to MstM or Amboise. Some travel guides did recommend it for a day trip, whereas some mentioned the fantastic driving experience to these places especially the Loire. I thought it will be a good idea to start my journey to either place in the early morning with all luggages in the car, stay a night there and head straight to CDG the next morning, like what I did on my trip to the Blue Mountains near Sydney... and %26#39;no worry%26#39; on the luggages (huge and big!!).

I never thought of places other than MStM and the Loire. May be Chantilly and Champagne are geographically suitable places for the visit. Again, do you think is there any significant risk of missing the flight if I put up a night in Chantilly?

I don%26#39;t really considering taking trains or coaches as I want a more relaxing and flexible journey... also more privacy.

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Hi, IrishRovr

Is Mbenz A-class powered by gasoline? or LPG? In term of milege cost, which one is more economical A-Class or the Prius? I am considering these two as they are offered with Automatic transmission. Others are big and expensive.

Thanks.

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Hello

Charles- De Gaulle is to the North East of Paris, so I have had a look at the map for places of Interest not to far away from there.

Chantilly has been reccommended by another poster, I have not been there myself, but the Chateau and area around do tend to get rave reviews as one of the premiere tourist attractions in France.

I have been to Compiegne, which is not too far away, it is a pleasant small town on the banks of a river, and famous for being the site of ths signing of the Armistice in WW1 - you can visit the exact spot at the Clariere d%26#39;L Armistice. The woods around this area are very pretty, and worth a drive through and good for walking or cycling.

Yes, considering the time you have available, and the fact that you would like to have an interesting drive, Compiegne sounds like the place for you!

Tres bon

EW

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The Loire is south west for MILES just too far - don%26#39;t do it!

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Chantilly is about 1hr 45min from CDG -- lots of small roads, and not recommended for an overnight, as you have to navigate across the north side of Paris to get to the airport. Amboise is 2-1/2 hours to the southwest -- too far, and the wrong direction.

If your time is that short, I would consider a hotel at/near CDG, then drive out to Champagne -- it%26#39;s 1-1/2-2 hours, but it%26#39;s all big motor route, and the traffic not as bad, as you don%26#39;t have to cross any part of Paris to get to the airport.

Why not spend the extra 12 hours in Paris? You could stay near the airport and take the RER -- no car, and easier on you.