side day trip

My husband and I will be in Paris in Feb, and are considering a day trip into the countryside but don%26#39;t really know anything about the area. He is in wine sales so a trip to a wine region would be a good option. Are there any suggestions? Should we rent a car??

Thanks for your help!

Karen in Maryland

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Champagne is the easiest day trip to a wine growing region. You can take the train and rent a taxi to visit the cellars, but it is even more enjoyable to rent a car and drive through the small towns, stopping to taste as you go. This is a great way to meet the smaller producers that you won%26#39;t find at home.

Chablis is also do able in a day.

A bit further, and more of an over night would be the Burgundy, and Loire regions (Tourraine, Chinon, Bourgeuil, Vouvray). In the Loire you could also stop at a chateau or two along the way.

cheers!

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If you want to do a day-trip %26#39;tour%26#39; of vinyards and wineries, your best bet may be to select a region(s) and rent a car to get to those which interest/attract you most. Most escorted tours may not cover what particularly interest you.

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Thanks for the messages. Here%26#39;s the thing. We will only be in France for 3 full days. Is it stupid to leave Paris? Should we just stay there the whole time? We are not really big on touristy attractions. Viewing the tower from the street would be good enough for us, etc. But we want to sample the food/wines of the region and see the culture.

Your suggestions are helpful.

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I think that you%26#39;d be missing out on a LOT if you spent one of your three days on the road. Why not lunch at one of the L%26#39;Ecluse wine bars and head over to Vinia for a wine tasting? www.lavinia.fr This way you can test an entire selection of regions in a serious of afternoons.

Paris is MUCH more than the Eiffel Tower. Did you know there were vineyards in Montmartre? Check it out http://www.commanderiemont.com/vignoble.html

There is also a wine museum. www.museeduvinparis.com/gbmusee/index.htm