yep, i vote for Paris but go anywhere you want - just definitely go!
I’m taking Delta Comfort seats soon, so happy to hear how much everyone likes them!
If you plan to visit Chartres, book (in advance) a stained glass tour with Malcolm Miller. He is 83, sharp as a tack, and has spent most of his life studying the windows there. He does private tours and group tours; contact info is on the Chartres website.
Cologne Cathedral has acclaimed stained-glass windows.
I love the service and professionalism of Delta. Comfort seating is the way to go. One week in Paris. The train to Chartres is less than 2 hours, to Reims is 45 minutes, Bourges is 2 hours.
Day 1, arrive, walk along the Seine, take a bateux mouche. See Paris at night.
Day 2, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Eiffle Tower
Day 3. Sacre Coeur, Montmarte, explore the Louvre
Day 4. Chartres
Day 5. Versailles
Day 6. Reims
There are so many wonderful day or overnight excursions to Normandy, Mont St.- Michel
Here is a link to stained glass in France that you may enjoy: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/articles/frances-most-beautiful-stained-glass-windows/
“Day 3. Sacre Coeur, Montmarte, explore the Louvre”
The Louvre could be several days in and of itself. 
@yauponredux, glad to hear that Malcom Miller is still at Chartres! Hubby and I have been privileged to attend his talks/lecture/demo multiple times in Chartres and at Chicago’s Art Institute where he always lectured to a full house. We brought our S as an 11 year old - I like to think this helped trigger his interest in architecture and cathedrals. Son proudly asked for Mr Miller’s autograph on one of his books - just the right affirmation right for a former headmaster (Miller’s earliest professional days).
OP - you may be beyond the basics of stained glass iconography, but Malcom Miller is well worth your time.
By the way, I’m getting more and more envious and interested in your trip! I hope you come back if you reach any decisions.
Have you been to Europe before? It sounds like not. The cathedrals are all amazing, and so is their glass. I haven’t met a cathedral I did not like. (I am agonstic btw). I think you’ll be glad you went!
Plus the FOOD! =P~
I agree with others for stained glass it doesn’t get better than St. Chapelle right in the heart of Paris. While you are there have the best ice cream in France at Berthillon http://www.berthillon.fr/ Chartres is gorgeous too and an easy train ride from Paris.
Edited to add, I can’t believe Malcolm Miller is still doing tours! He’s a treasure. Don’t miss him!
We went to London decades ago with then young son. Excellent place for a first visit, could even take a train to Paris as we might do this summer or fall for a second visit. H is from India and we are not enamored with so much others are. I would definitely take your H up on this opportunity.
London had a nice mix of castles, cathedrals, museums and more contemporary sites. There would be no terrible language barrier either. Or there may be a European culture that interests you more. The experience of being in another country alone is worth it. A week is short but long enough to be worthwhile. This can be a nice way of testing whether you will want to travel in retirement.
Tough luck to your boss. A month’s notice for such an experience seems okay to me. The once-in-a-lifetime experience. You have the vacation time and the time to use it is when opportunity knocks. Stretch your limits- in a very good way. Go for it.
We loved Paris, even tho it was H’s last choice originally. It ended up being one of our favorite stops in Europe. We stayed by Rue Claire, near the Eiffel Tower. Everything was a convenient walk away.
Mr. Ellebud came downstairs about a month ago and announced that we (party of4) were going to Paris. And so we will. Son and dil are staying here with the doggies. So…found an apartment in the 1st…and we are going for 8 days of sightseeing…shopping…eating…shopping…(in all of our trips I have never purchased anything for me…this time…yep…
OP here: it’s very difficult with H not knowing even which airports he will fly in & out of in advance. He will move through several stops at hospitals which use a new device that his company produces - he’s being trained to be the focal point for a new device in the states. We may end up just giving up on this trip and funding our own trip later in the summer. It’s our 30th anniversary this year. He was told to purchase a 1-way ticket and play the end of the trip by ear.
I’m fascinated by the Paris recommendations because I thought the glass would be more impressive in Italy or Barcelona. Also a little reticent due to my perception of France as kind of anti-American. My sister arrived in Rome today for a 14 day cruise through several countries. I guess I’ll wait to hear her reviews when she returns. Her cruise is Holland America and sounds fabulous! I think the cruise simplifying the travel arrangements would be more to my liking. Just day trips into the city and sleeping in the same bed each night sounds good to me. Can’t swing the 14 days though!!!
Appreciate all the recommendations! H was pretty annoyed that I didn’t jump on the bandwagon - may still try to tag on the last part of his trip if I can get some commitment from his boss on a departure country. Yes, my job is high-stress and I’m a critical cog in several machines. I love it though!
I had heard the stories about the French and Parisians specifically my whole life before we went. I found it to not be a problem at all! All our encounters were pleasant and helpful and I know no french beyond a few basic words and phrases.
I’ve been traveling to Paris off and on for almost 40 years. I wouldn’t worry about anti-American sentiment. I’ve never personally experienced discrimination based on my passport. And, since the EU, there is so much more English spoken and people are much more helpful and friendly than when I first visited in the late 1970s. My last trip a couple years ago was with a beautifully fluent girlfriend who studied in Paris and has used the language professionally for 30+ years. She would speak French, but most often received replies in English - people wanted to practice their English. It is nice to have a few phrases and written “menu” language, but I found that’s true where ever I travel. (Disclaimer, I can manage basic French.)
Bummer! Mr. B is also going on a business trip to Europe in June. I used to tag along and shop and sightsee while he worked, but this year I can’t. Too much going on, including managing 2 houses and 3 cats!
Given the unpredictable itinerary of your husband, I would too plan a trip independent of this assignment. Your husband will be tired and homesick at the end of the journey, so he might be a bit less than thrilled to extend the tour.
Can you go early September? The airfares will go down, and there will be fewer tourists.
Noooo…find a way to go, Bunsen! Get someone to come over and feed the kitties. Rover.com is awesome, you can find tons of people. Or have the D do the kitty work. The houses can wait, Europe calls to you!
I haven’t had problems in France. People outside of Paris are extremely friendly, it is quite touching. And in Paris, if I was dealing with someone who was providing a service (hotel, restaurant, store), they all spoke English and were very nice. I think we get an impression that they dislike Americans because of how a few people act. I had one girl on the train notice that I was confused about where I was going, and rode with me and told me where to get off at my stop. Delightful.
Not as friendly as Israel, where they love and appreciate you because you’re an American, giving you things as you walk out of their store! But as friendly as anywhere.
Bus, kiddo will watch the kitties. It is the stupid class I am taking… We will go to HI in September instead.
I would not say that people are friendly in France. There is a reserve, unless you are introduced. It makes me appreciate the chattiness of Americans, though the elderly seem more valuable, if monolingual. Be sure to address storekeepers with a bonjour Madame or Monsieur you enter stores and the path is eased. I have been subjected to great kindness in Paris, people helping me with luggage on the metro stairs, etc. But it is short.
Seeing the classic sights in Paris is lovely, as are day trips to various spots such as Monet’s garden in Giverney.
Though I loved Europe when young, I had sort of given up on being able to go again, and also was intimidated by France. D wrapping her professional life around French gave me the opportunity to travel, and I am now very enamored of the place. Though I ultimately prefer the smaller cities to Paris.