re: Rome or Paris?

Re: the day trips - We took the chunnel train from London to Paris and it is quite an experience, but I would not do it as a day trip. It is doable but I would wait until you have more time to spend in London. We did Riems as a day trip and had a great time. It is a fast and east ride on the high speed train from downtown Paris. We went to several Champagne houses. We arranged in advance to have a tour of Veuve Cliquot. They take you down into the ancient Roman limestone caves where they store the Champagne at the perfect constant temperature no matter how hot or cold it is outside. Right down the street is Pommery which also has a user friendly tasting room. Although you go for the Champagne, it is almost worth the trip just to see the Cathedral. It is where all of the French Kings and Queens for the past 1000 years have been crowned. The stained glass is something to see. Some of it is 800 years old and some of it was designed by Marc Chagal in the 1970's. If you are a Monet fan, Givernney is an easy day trip. So is Chartres. The D-Day beaches are a very long day trip. With only 5 days I would stay in Paris the whole time.