PARIS/Disney/Airports/TGV/RER. The charm of THIBAULT VILLA

Village

recommended

Other Transportation

A train goes to and from Paris several times a day and can be taken from the railway station either from the city of Coulommiers or from Faremoutiers, respectively 6 and 3 miles away from the house. However, far more practical is to rent a car from the airport, one of the railway stations in Paris or from the TGV station of Chessy-Marne-la-Vallee very near Disney, which is 1/2 hour from here, and drive to the different points we want to go to. When it comes to go to Paris, we personally (only 1 n) prefer to leave the car at one of the RER stations near Disney and ride to Paris in those express trains (1/2 hour ride).
Our countryside and house are both beautiful, close enough to enjoy at the same time Paris and all its beautiful surroundings.

RER - Paris' Commuter Rail
The RER comes to about 20 to 30 minutes away. There is bus service, albeit limited, that comes next to the house. There is a bakery within walking distance in the center of the village. And the city of Coulommiers has everything else that you would need, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, bicycle shops, etc.

SNCF Rail and the Eurostar

The SNCF serves very well. From either of two railway stations a few minutes away, it takes 45 minutes to about an hour - depending on which train - to reach Paris unless of course you go to the mentioned stations by car, then it's great! You can access nearby Faremoutiers, Coulommiers, Tournan and Disneyparks via train. You can use high speed rail to take you from to the airport to Disneyparks and even on to London. And just a few miles down the road is the amazing city of Paris which is served by six major train stations. Our English guests sometimes like to take the Eurostar directly from London to Disneyland Europe and rent a car from there to get to the Thibault Villa in Saints. It's actually less expensive than taking the train from Waterloo to Paris and one can bypass Parisian traffic.

FONTAINEBLEAU Distance: 66km/41mi from the Thibault Villa. Fontainebleau is perhaps the second most famous and beautiful chateau in France. It is about 1 hour away from the house and can be combined as part of a day trip to Vaux-le-Vicomte (see below). Be sure to see Napoleon's bed with the little stairs leading up to it from the... floor. Fontainebleau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Saints. PROVINS Distance: 39km/24mi from the Thibault Villa. Old Medieval Town, about 20 minutes away, with huge ramparts and pleasant cafes. This was one of the most important medieval cities. Provins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the domain of the Counts of Champagne who were Thibaults. Also the Thibault family came from Provins to Saints nine generations ago. UNESCO writes that "The fortified medieval town of Provins is situated in the former territory of the powerful Counts of Champagne. It bears witness to early developments in the organization of international trading fairs and the wool industry. The urban structure of Provins, which was built specifically to host the fairs and related activities [and] preserves to a high degree the architecture and urban layout that characterize these great medieval fair towns." The towns of Laon and Provins are wonderful rampart towns. I recommend Laon the most of the two. But Provins is only 20 minutes or so away from Saints and is well worth the visit. Provins hosts a delightfully huge medieval festival in June. Laon is two hours away. If you go to Provins, you can combine that with some other driving further down to towns such as Troyes, Avallon, Vezelay - another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Auxerre, etc. All of them have either superlative views, abbeys, cathedrals, ramparts and/or beautiful monasteries, etc. CHARTRES Distance: 143km/88mi from the Thibault Villa. Chartres is another UNESCO World Heritage site. Built to house a great relic, many say that this is the most beautiful cathedral in the world. Its famed stainglass windows are without equal. It is certainly one of the most interesting of all cathedrals with its two completely different towers, built at different times using different architectural styles. There is also a very famous maze which the faithful used to complete in about one hour while moving around on their knees. Disneyland Distance: 33km/21mi from the Thibault Villa. EURODISNEY: The Thibault Villa is conveniently located for Disneyland Resort Paris (formerly Eurodisney) and is about 20-25 minutes (25 kms/16 miles) away. Getting there is easy: the roads are straight and mostly free of traffic for easy and fast traveling. It is also a fun drive. The Eurostar supertrain goes there too - to London and Brussels. And from there Eurostar trains and TGVs serve the south of France. Cars can be rented directly at Disneyland from AVIS, Hertz, Europecar, etc. VAUX-LE-VICOMTE Distance: 41km/26mi from the Thibault Villa. Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte was the setting for novel "The Man in the Iron Mask" and the Leonardo diCaprio hit movie of the same name is about 45 minutes away. It's the resplendent chateau that made Louis XIV jealous enough to build Versailles and with the same team of designers. At MARNE LA VALLEE, agglomeration of several villages 25 kms away, you will find Val d’Europe, the largest European shopping Center, «The Vallee”, a Discount Designer Outlet Center, Disney Park and Studios and the Sea Life Aquarium. Visits not to be missed: PARIS and its many points of cultural and historical interests. FONTAINEBLEAU, VERSAILLES chateaux, the Medieval city of PROVINS (the 4 listed on World Heritage List), VAUX LE VICOMTE and painters' spots such as BARBIZON. CHAMPAGNE region, WW1 and WW2 battlefields, monuments and cemeteries while on your way to visit the fabulous caves of REIMS to lift a toast with their world famous bubbly beverage! For additional information, please see : http://www.thibaultvilla.com/toSeeDo.asp Horseback Riding There are several convenient locations for horseback riding in the area. The owners Claudine and Claude can give you more specific information when you arrive Golf There are at least three courses nearby. They are... Crecy Golf Club / 77580 Crecy la Chapelle. Boasts two golf courses: The Vignoly and the Montpichet. About 15 kms from the house, people we know talk highly of it and the site is beautiful. There is also a pool and a restaurant. We were particularly impressed when we visited. Distance: 33km/21mi from the Thibault Villa. Golf Bussy St Georges, a little further, set within the newly built town of Bussy St Georges, right next to Disneyland. Distance: 34km/21mi from the Thibault Villa. .

Cycling, Mountain Biking, Watersports, Fishing, Paragliding, Swimming pool, Golf, Tennis, Horse riding, Sailing, Walking

• FAREMOUTIERS (Public Transport) - 3.0km / 1.9miles
• TGV and RER at CHESSY/MARNE la VALLEE (Public Transport) - 34.0km / 21.1miles
• FONTAINEBLEAU (Town) - 66.0km / 41miles
• PROVINS (Town) - 30.0km / 18.6miles
• PARIS/CDG PARIS/ORLY (Airport) - 70.0km / 43.5miles
• A4 East (Motorway junction) - 12.0km / 7.5miles
• A5 (Motorway junction) - 50.0km / 31.1miles
• VAL D'EUROPE SHOPPING CENTER (Shops) - 34.0km / 21.1miles
• Paris (Town) - 60.0km / 37.3miles