The word “Disneyland” conjures up images of crowds of tourists, many with mouse-eared caps and fairy wands, scurrying about to get to the next amusement ride. However, it can be a great staging site for exploring the French countryside.
This picturesque region of France is also a tranquil setting of swans and lily pads, castles and chateaus, champagne and café-au-lait.
Only a forty-minute shuttle ride from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, the pastoral towns and villages of the Ile-de-France are idyllic places for people of all ages to enjoy. Surrounded by sweeping green parks, walking trails, and paved bike paths, it is a calming and relaxed environment in the lovely French landscape.
The Marriott’s Village d’Ile-de-France
Marriott’s Village d’Ile-de-France in the Disneyland area outside of Paris, France
Ron and I stayed at the Marriott Village, a perfect temporary home during our stay in the d’Ile-de-France, or District of Paris. Complete with a restaurant, swimming pool, activity center, golf course, Kids Club/play area, barbeque grills, gym, and small grocery mart, some days we didn’t even want (or need) to leave the resort.
The Village centers around a tranquil pond that’s home to frogs, ducks, and beautiful long-necked swans.
Marriott’s Village Swan
We strolled the brick walkways through beautiful landscapes of flowering trees and bushes, delicate rose gardens, and trellised wisteria. Near our bungalow, we sipped cafes in the peaceful Monet Garden, a dreamy replica setting of the lily pond painting by the famous painter, Claude Monet. Giverny, Monet’s home for 43 years, is less than a two-hour drive away.
Marriott’s Village
Reminiscent of turn-of-the-century style, our two-story cottage was undeniably French with wainscoting, floor-to-ceiling window coverings, paned cottage windows, French doors, curtained closet doors, and a fully equipped kitchen with European appliances. The additional conveniences of having our own laundry facilities, as well as the comforts of cushy velvet upholstery, luxurious linens, and bath toiletries, made us feel at home after a hectic day of sightseeing.
Things to Do:
Bike Riding: Bike riding is a common mode of transportation in this area so rental shops are common. Our resort has a rental shop and offered adult- or child-sized bikes, making it easy for people of all ages and abilities to cycle the nearby area.
A quaint little French town just two miles from the Marriott Village
We biked to the sleepy little village of Magny-le-Hongre of residential neighborhoods, shade trees, and well-tended gardens.
Shops in village of Magny-le-Hongre
The main street leads to the town center where there’s a small grocery store, a restaurant, and an iconic 11th century church and clocktower. Just inside the doorway of the church is a schedule of services, showing the building is still being used today.
Village church in Magny-le-Hongre
Around the corner from the church is a little patisserie where we stopped to take a break and grab a bite to eat. It was difficult to choose just one from an assortment of chocolate eclairs, strawberry tarts, pastel macaroons, creamy lemon meringues, and buttery croissants. But we did finally choose, and the cream puffs were delicious!
Shopping: If you’re a shopper, this place is for you. One of the most popular shopping malls, the Val d’ Europe, attracts Parisians as well as people from all over Europe. Located 30 miles east of Paris, this unique indoor/outdoor mall in the Il-de-France region is within minutes of Disneyland Paris and resorts in the area. With more than 180 stores ranging from Gucci to Starbucks, a variety of cafes and restaurants, and a large sea life aquarium, it is a great place to spend a day or just an hour or two.
Shops at Val d’Europe Mall, Disney Paris
The outdoor promenade is pedestrian-only with a stone thoroughfare and boutique-sized shops dressed in candy-colored shutters and matching window boxes. Along the corridor, life-like mannequins under glass domes display the latest fashion trends, while nearby park benches and bistro cafes offer great places to sip cappuccinos and people-watch. I loved it!
Shelli loved Val d’Europe Mall, Disney Paris
The indoor part of the mall is sprawling with multiple levels. However, with elegant lighting fixtures and high barrel-shaped glass ceiling, it reminded us of the world-famous Galleria in Milan, Italy. But, small versions of Parisian monuments, grand stairways, and a colorful carousel told us we were, indeed, in France.
Val d’Europe Mall, Disney Paris
Driving the Champagne Wine Country:
The Ile-de-France is a hub to the champagne wine producing areas, so tours are a popular activity. However, because we were meeting friends in the little village of Bethon, we rented a car and drove to the Champagne District.
The trip was supposed to take about an hour-and-a-half, however, it took us almost four hours because of all the stops we made along the way. We felt like pinching ourselves just to see the miles and miles of neon yellow canola fields, wooded forests, and pastoral little towns and villages.
The bright yellow canola fields stretch for miles in the French countryside.
We also took several detours as we drove along exploring the French Countryside, one of them was to the Vaux Le Vicomte, an extraordinary chateau because of appearance and because of its history. The chateau originally belonged to Nicholas Fouquet, the finance superintendent for King Louis XIV. However, when the King saw the chateau, he became infuriated because he believed Mr. Fouquet had stolen money from him to build it. He was also jealous because the chateau was so beautiful. The King had Mr. Fouquet imprisoned for life and then modeled Versailles after the Vaux Le Vicomte.
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is located in Maincy, near Melun, 55 kilometres (34 mi) southeast of Paris
After seeing the Vaux Le Vicomte, we got back on the road and as we drove, we noticed that forests were replaced by gentle hillsides of meticulously-planted vineyards.
The Village of Bethon:
Driving into Bethon is like driving into a neat little storybook village that takes less than five minutes to drive through. With a population of less than 300, it’s a place where time stands still and everybody knows everybody.
Village of Bethon, France with canola fields and wind turbines in the distance and a vineyard in the foreground.
Surrounded by meticulous vineyards, Bethon is heavily reliant on the art and science of champagne production. Family members continue the legacy of winemaking just as they have for generations and, as is necessary for family-run businesses from time to time, have adapted their processes according to available resources and facilities.
The historic church in Bethon, France
The main road through town is narrow and lined with residential homes, wine production buildings, local shops, and an historic church and graveyard at the top of the hill. Two famous champagne and pinot noir wine producers, Gruet et Fils and Paul Laurent, have processing plants as well as tasting rooms in Bethon.
Greut Winery is located in the village of Bethon, France
Christopher, a family member and our tour guide extraordinaire, spent an entire afternoon taking us through the Gruet and Laurent facilities.
Christopher and Shelli at Greut winery.
He spoke with pride about how his grandfather had the vision to expand his wine production to provide a means for his growing family. It was amazing to see the original Gruet cellars, and to hear about how the family continues to develop new equipment and processes for continued growth of the company.
Where We Stayed, Le Chalet Champenoise BnB
Le Chalet Champenoise is a quaint little BnB in the French countryside on the edge of the village of Bethon, France
During our visit, we stayed at the quintessential little wine country BnB, Le Chalet Champenoise. It’s an enchanting place owned and managed by William and Edwin who are the perfect hosts as they have a knack for making people feel welcome. We had a delightful stay and also got to know other guests who were spending time at the Chalet.
Edwin and William will make sure your stay is wonderful at Le Chalet Champenoise
Our room was modern, clean and comfortable, with a private bathroom and a patio overlooking the distant hillsides, the village of Bethon, and the vineyards. Breakfast is provided and dinner is by request. We had made arrangements to stay for dinner and were we glad we did! We joined other guests, as well as our hosts, in the adorable rustic dining room where we were served the most delicious meal! Couscous, pork tenderloins, tender asparagus, stuff mushrooms, and I-can’t-remember-it-all . . . but the evening was a truly memorable experience!
Edwin and Shelli at the breakfast table at Le Chalet Champenoise
Capital City of Champagne Region – Epernay
Epernay is a pretty city known for its aristocratic Avenue of Champagne which is said to be even more exclusive than the Champs Élysées in Paris because of the number of exquisite wines stored in cellars beneath the streets of the city. Several famous producers, including such names as Moët and Chandon, Mercier, and Perrier have elegant tasting rooms and offer cellar tours.
The Moet & Chandon and Perignon complex sits prominently on the Avenue of Champagne in Epernay, France
While exploring the French Countryside, we went to the Moët and Chandon champagne house, a regal place with a glamorous entryway chandelier made from crystal champagne glasses, security guards and cameras, and a sparkling showroom with impeccably-dressed staff.
A step into the Moet & Chandon tasting room is like walking into Macy’s in New York City
We also took a tour of the underground cellar, a mind-boggling maze of halls and vaults, some with bottles locked behind bars, all categorized according to vintage detail.
Moet & Chandon Champagne will sit without turning for as long as three years. Look closely at the dirt on these bottles.
The tours last about an hour so be sure to bring a sweater because it is chilly in the cellars, even in the summer.
Corridors run for blocks in Moet & Chandon cellars
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