18 Best Paris Day Trips

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Looking for the best day trips from Paris?

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, an art enthusiast, or a wine connoisseur, you can’t go wrong with this list of top Paris day trips travel bloggers love and recommend.

The city of lights is magical, but you should definitely also include one (or more) day tours from Paris in your itinerary.

There’s so much to see just a short train or bus ride from Paris, that would be a pity not to use your time to explore more of beautiful France. Or even to venture in the neighboring countries.

In fact, with so many great options the tough part will be to choose only one destination.

To help you decide, I asked several travel bloggers about their favorite one-day trip from Paris. The result is this comprehensive list of the best Paris day trips.

 

Best Paris day trips

Versailles

Recommended by Josie from Josie Wanders

The Palace of Versailles was originally built as a hunting lodge in the 17th century by Louis XIII.

For approximately a hundred years it was the home of the Royal Court when Louis XIV moved there from Paris.

The royal family moved back to Paris during the French Revolution, and Versailles now stands as a symbol of the excesses of the upper class that helped to trigger that revolt.

The best way to get to the Palace of Versailles is by train. You will need to catch the RER C line, which passes through many of the popular central Metro stations.

From the Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame station, it will take about 40 minutes to arrive at Gare de Versailles Château Rive Gauche. From there, it’s an easy ten-minute walk to the front gate.

The inside of the palace is incredibly ornate, with gold-embossed details, painted ceilings, and elaborate decorations. There is room after room of beauty and extravagance to wander through.

The main palace though is only one not-so-small part of the estate.

The gardens are amazing too. From symmetrical formal gardens to more wilder woods, they have it all. Numerous fountains decorate nooks and crannies between towering hedges and are a real sight when they are running.

In the distant part of the estate, there are two more palaces, the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon. These private retreats are smaller than the main palace, but still huge and over-the-top by normal standards.

It’s also possible to visit The Queen’s Hamlet, a little town built by Marie Antoinette, containing models of traditional buildings.

A day trip to Versailles is a must-do when in Paris. Visitors will leave with a new understanding of the French Revolution once they see how truly extravagant this place is.

If you’d like to save time during your visit, buy your skip-the-line entrance ticket with full access to the Palace and gardens here.

If you’d rather not worry about transportation, you can book a day tour from Paris here.

 

Loire Valley

Recommended by Ali from Travel Made Simple

Taking a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley was one of the best decisions I made.

The Loire Valley is a region full of gorgeous castles, and you can easily see a few in a day.

It’s about a two-hour drive from Paris, depending on which castle you’re going to, so it’s a bit of a long day, but well worth it.

If you don’t want to drive, there are a few other options. I took a castles and wine-tasting tour that left from Paris, so I didn’t have to worry about transportation.

It was a great choice because we also learned about the history of the castles from our guide while in transit and at the castles.

Lunch was also included, and we did wine tastings at lunch and Chateau Chenonceau.

As an alternative, you can take the train to the city of Tours, which is a little over an hour if you get the right train, and then take a van tour from there.

Two of the most popular castles to see are Chateau Chambord and Chateau Chenonceau, but there are plenty of others to choose from such as Chateau Amboise, Chateau Villandry, and Chateau Cheverny.

Paris is wonderful, but getting out of the city to see a different side of France was interesting.

Some of the castles in the Loire Valley are the stuff of fairy tales, and I highly recommend taking a day trip to see their beauty in person.

 

Colmar

Recommended by Vanda from The Yogi Wanderer

Colmar is a fairytale Alsatian town just 2,5 hours from Paris by train.

I visited Colmar during the holiday season when 6 Christmas markets and omnipresent Christmas lights and decorations made it even more of a magical place.

But spring and summer are also a great time to take a day trip to Colmar.

During the warmer months, this picture-perfect town becomes all the more colorful and flowery and a romantic flat-boat ride through Colmar’s Little Venice is a must-do.

Strolling the cobblestone streets of the old town, shopping at the Covered Market, and visiting some of its many museums are other great things to do in Colmar all year round.

I particularly loved the charming Fishmonger’s District and the Hansi Museum, where you can learn about the life and work of the Colmar artist known as Hansi.

And did you know that Auguste Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty, was born and raised in Colmar?

Bartholdi’s childhood home is now a museum with one of the best collections of his work.

Last but not least, Alsatia is also famous for its food and wine, so make sure to try the local cuisine accompanied by some local wine.

If you’d like to learn more about Colmar’s history and winemaking heritage, I recommend joining a small group walking tour with a local guide. This tour takes approximately 2 hours and can be booked here.

 

Bruges

Recommended by Sierra from Free to Travel Mama

If you are looking for a quaint day trip away from the hustle of Paris, look no further than Bruges, Belgium.

Just a 2.5-hour train ride away, with a quick train transfer in Brussels, this fairytale city is made up of stunning old buildings with a beautiful canal running through.

Its photo-worthy spots at every turn will take your breath away and keep you smiling all day.

Bruges’ cobblestone streets will greet you upon arrival. Take the time to meander through them until you reach colorful buildings lining the perimeter of Markt Square.

The belfry tower begs to be climbed for its views alone, and the French fry stands are plenty. Top them with mayo for an authentic flavor.

Bruges’ must-do activity is a canal boat ride through the city beginning at the most photographed site of Rozenhoedkaai.

The above-water views of architecture, sprawling green lawns and trees, and sweet bridges would otherwise be missed and include some historical education.

For views of the canal from another perspective, consider renting bikes and riding the path along the water for a half hour to the nearby town of Damme.

You could pack a picnic lunch to enjoy along the route underneath the quaint windmills or enjoy lunch at a sweet café once you reach your destination.

Chocolatiers line the streets with mouthwatering samples, the historic beer wall is a necessary stop, and no day will be complete without a waffle topped with ice cream, berries, and whipped cream.

You might also want to save room for moules-frites before heading back to Paris, but don’t forget a box of chocolates or another waffle to enjoy on your train ride after an amazing day trip to Bruges!

Book your Bruges full-day tour from Paris, including a guided walking tour of the historic center, here.

 

Epernay, Champagne

Recommended by Jennifer and Tim from Luxe Adventure Traveler

The famous French wine region of Champagne is located just a little over an hour from Paris, making it a perfect destination for a day trip.

Of course, the best thing to do in the Champagne region is to drink champagne.

The town of Epernay, home to some of the most famous champagne houses like Moët & Chandon, can be reached from Paris by train.

You can make a full day of champagne tasting by booking visits to tour the town of Epernay’s champagne houses and enjoying a leisurely lunch in between.

Champagne house tours and tastings typically take around 1.5 hours each, so it’s advisable to plan to visit one champagne house in the morning and a second after lunch.

We recommend that the best way to make a day trip to Champagne from Paris is on a small group guided day tour.

While the champagne houses themselves are architectural gems, you don’t want to miss out on some of Champagne’s other beautiful spots and a chance to get out into the vineyards themselves.

Day trip tours of Champagne visit important parts of Champagne’s history, like the Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers where the monk and inventor of sparkling wine, Dom Pérignon, served as cellar master.

You can book your day trip from Paris to Champagne, Hautvillers, and Epernay here.

 

Provins

Recommended by Elisa from World in Paris

Provins is a small medieval town near Paris very easy to visit from Paris on a day trip.

The town of Provins was during medieval times a very important trading center, especially for buying /selling wool, and it was ruled by the powerful Counts of Champagne.

Due to its strategic position, the town was fortified to avoid attacks. Today, visitors still can walk on the top of the fortification and visit the César Tower.

Provins has kept its historical center in a very good condition, with its winding, cobbled streets and beautiful architecture of maisons à colombage (timbered houses).

Around the main square, there are also cute shops selling natural products and a couple of crêperies proposing affordable menus for lunch.

Provins has also some beautiful churches and a couple of small museums worth the visit.

The most interesting museum is La Grange Aux Dimes, hosted in a historical house, where the visitors can learn about Provins’ trading past.

Finally, you cannot miss Provins’ “underground city”!

Most of the medieval houses in Provins have underground cellars which were used for storing wool during Fair times. These cellars were often connected through underground galleries and today it is possible to visit a part of this underground labyrinth.

How to go to Provins? Direct trains leave Paris Gare de l’Est hourly for a train journey of 1,5 hours.

 

Saint-Malo

Recommended by Jorge and Cláudia from Travel Drafts

Saint-Malo is one of the most beautiful cities in France. It is a charismatic city surrounded by the sea, making it a port city.

As the city is located only about 400 km from the French capital, with the country’s great transportation system it is still possible to make a day trip from Paris.

Saint-Malo is a mythical old town packed with history. It is surrounded by walls that protect the city from the tides and the invaders.

Saint-Malo is also known to be a Corsaire town, home to famous French explorers like Jacques Cartier and Robert Surcouf.

Saint-Malo has plenty of things to do, but the main attractions of Saint-Malo are the walls and the ramparts.

The best part is that you can walk on the walls, the whole circuit enclosing the city while taking in breathtaking views of the tides and forts along the way.

From the ramparts, you can see the Fort Nacional, The Small Bé, the Big Bé, the beautiful beaches, Intra Muros, and the outskirts of Saint-Malo.

The Intra Muros area is full of old buildings, small alleys, the Cathedral of Saint Vincent, the Saint-Aaron Chapel, and the Saint-Sauveur Chapel.

Saint-Malo is also surrounded by marvelous beaches, where you can swim in the Summer.

 

London

Recommended by Vanda from The Yogi Wanderer

Why not visit two European capitals in one trip?

With Eurostar, you can hop on a train in Paris and be in London in about 2 hours.

The British capital is one of my absolute favorite European cities, so I definitely recommend visiting even if only for a day.

Of course, you can easily spend a week in London without getting bored. But you can also hit some of the top attractions in one day.

Start at Tower Bridge and walk along the South Bank for the best views of the city, including the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral.

Grab a bite at the Borough Market, take a ride on the London Eye, and finish your day marveling at the gorgeous Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Or head to Oxford Street, the busiest commercial street in all of Europe, and indulge in some shopping instead. End your day trip to London at Piccadilly Circus and admire its famous neon signs.

Check out my London itinerary for first-timers for more things to do.

 

Mont St Michel

Recommended by Priyanko from Constant Traveller

Mont St Michel is one of those places that is not only beautiful in itself but also has the gift of location that is unparalleled anywhere else.

After all, where else can you find a Gothic abbey set so far at the edge of land that incoming tides can turn it into an impregnable fortress at any given moment?

Past the ticket counter, you start through a narrow road lined with souvenirs and food that is best left for the return journey.

The abbey actually has a few families staying permanently, most of whom are in the hospitality business.

Once you pass the main street is when you start ascending to the abbey. You start off by seeing some stables and houses of other locals who engage in other trades right below the abbey.

As you start climbing, you’ll see gardens and then a few great halls. The abbey was used as a storage unit as well as a prison and there are remnants of both as you go along.

Finally, right at the top, is where the abbey-monastery is.

Once you see the entire abbey, you will be left spellbound to learn about so many different uses that the abbey had throughout history.

That sort of food for thought is best left for when you go down and treat yourself to some well-deserved pizza and local French dishes.

If you’re in the mood, you can check the tide’s position as well to round off an excellent day out from Paris.

Visiting Mont St Michel from Paris is a long affair, but one that will leave you exhilarated for years to come.

While it is possible to do it via public transport with a mix of trains and buses, hopping on an organized tour is highly recommended as the distances and logistics can get difficult to manage by yourself.

 

Lyon

Recommended by Noel from Travel Photo Discovery

A fantastic day trip from Paris is to visit the delightful city of Lyon located less than 2 hours by train.

Considered a smaller scale of the Parisian capital, Lyon has all the delights of Paris with grand boulevards, attractive squares, and monuments, two lovely rivers intersecting the historic district, and a Unesco World Heritage center that is worth exploring.

The city offers a myriad of places to explore and visit that can be done in a day trip, but you definitely should try to stay a few days to really soak in the lifestyle and easy pace of Lyon.

If your time is limited, then head out directly to the historic medieval town across the river and walk the lovely old streets and squares of the old town.

Filled with beautiful architecture, unique shops, galleries, and restaurants that spill out to scenic squares and larger streets, the area oozes with historic charm and photo opportunities.

Head uphill to the large basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere with spectacular chapels and a magnificent interior. Outside you’ll have stunning panoramic views of the city and the Saone River below.

To make the most of your time, you can buy a 1-day ticket for the Lyon hop-on-hop-off cruise here and discover all the city’s main attractions.

 

Chartres Cathedral

Recommended by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan

Chartres Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been dubbed the “high point of French Gothic art”.

Built in the 13th century, it has stood the test of time and is incredibly well preserved. Even most of the original stained-glass windows are still intact, like the one depicting Charlemagne’s recovery of Mary’s veil.

You’ll also find hundreds of sculpted figures, both on the façade of the Cathedral and the inside.

The sculptures on the monumental screen that surrounds the choir are from a much later period and weren’t completed until the 18th century, but they are no less magnificent than their Gothic counterparts.

Climb to the top of the north tower for magnificent views of the town and the surrounding countryside. Apparently, on a clear day, you can even see the Eiffel Tower from here, although I wasn’t so lucky with the weather on my visit.

While the Cathedral is clearly the main highlight of Chartres, the rest of the town is worth a wander too.

You’ll find streets lined with the traditional architecture of half-timbered houses with flower pots hanging outside the windows.

The Maison de la Truie qui File or du Saumon has ornate wooden carvings and is considered to be the most beautiful of these historic houses.

Keep in mind that healthy lunch options are fairly limited, especially plant-based ones, so if that’s important to you, consider bringing a packed lunch from one of the many vegan eateries in Paris.

There are plenty of trains each day running between Chartres and the Paris Montparnasse train station. The journey takes just over an hour, and a second-class ticket costs 16 euros each way.

Or book a Chartres Cathedral tour from Paris with private transportation from your hotel here.

 

Rouen

Recommended by Cazzy from Dream Big, Travel Far

Rouen is the beautiful capital of the Normandy region in France and it’s only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris.

It’s easily accessible via train with an average of 26 trains shuttling between the two cities each day.

Rouen is the perfect blend of modern and old and it features some of the best architecture I’ve ever seen.

The Gothic-style Church of Saint-Maclou is one of the top things to see in Rouen and it’s one of the most beautiful churches in the area. Another great site is its Cathedral. Both of these places are free to enter.

If you’re interested in the history of Joan of Arc, then you should know her story starts in Rouen. It’s worth visiting the boat-shaped monument that was built to honor her.

Rouen has lots of wonderful cobbled streets with brilliant shops and authentic French restaurants.

Put on your best walking shoes as there are lots to see in this historic town, including beautiful gardens, which make the perfect setting for a French-styled picnic.

The Jardin Des Plantes De Rouen boasts plants and flowers from 5 continents and a boating lake.

Rouen is a quiet escape from bustling Paris and allows you to see another side of France.

 

Disneyland

Recommended by Melissa from Thrifty Family Travels

If you’re visiting Paris with kids, or even if you’re a kid at heart, then a day trip to Disneyland is an absolute must.

Disneyland is super easy to get to from Paris. It’s only about a 40-minute train ride and it takes you right in front of Disneyland.

You can of course buy tickets once you arrive, but I recommend buying tickets in advance here so you can get a deal and save a few dollars. After all, Disneyland is expensive!

If you have been to other Disneylands around the world, you might be surprised how small Disneyland Paris is. However, I found this quite a good thing when traveling with a small child as it was easy to get around.

But don’t be fooled, lines can still be super long so making use of the Fastpass system is totally worth it.

Right next door to Disneyland is Walt Studios. There are plenty of rides here too, but with more of a focus on shows. If you want to visit both parks during the day you will need a ticket that allows this, so take care of choosing the right ticket.

Of course, you can stay in the various Disney Hotels around the parks. This is ideal if you are spending multiple days at Disneyland.

If you are just looking for a day trip from Paris, simply jump back on the train at the end of the day. Make sure you stay for the fireworks though!

Alternatively, you can book a Disneyland Paris day ticket with round-trip transportation here.

 

Monet’s house and gardens, Giverny

Recommended by James from Travel Collecting

Giverny, the location of Claude Monet’s house and gardens, is the perfect day trip from Paris.

Monet painted many flowers, gardens, and especially, of course, water lilies that were modeled on the flowers and features of his gardens at Giverny.

Being there and seeing the landscapes that directly inspired many of his famous works of art is very cool.

The water garden has water lilies, willow trees draping into the water, and a tiny green Japanese bridge that you will almost certainly recognize.

The other main section of the garden is full of brightly colored flowers that change with the seasons and includes a row of arches draped in vines that also appear in Monet’s works.

You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the gardens. Don’t miss visiting his house also, which is bright and colorful.

Nearby is a tiny village with shops, restaurants, and places to relax. If you bring wine and cheese from Paris, it is the perfect place to have a picnic on a warm, sunny day.

The town of Vernon is only 45 minutes by train from Paris Saint Lazare Gare station, and the trains are met by a shuttle that takes you directly to Giverny.

Monet’s house and gardens are open from March to October, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Click here to book a guided tour from Paris to Giverny, including an entrance ticket to Monet’s house and gardens.

 

Ribeauville

Recommended by Alex from Swedish Nomad

Ribeauville is one of the most charming towns in France and the Alsace region.

It’s easily accessible by train from the capital and then a short bus ride from the train station in either Mulhouse or Colmar.

Ribeauville is famous for nougat, wine, and colorful houses lined along old cobblestoned streets.

It gives you a mixed feeling of being in France and Germany, due to its proximity to the border, and German heritage.

This quaint little town is located about 3 hours from Paris, so it’s best to overnight here, but it’s also possible to go for a day trip if you start early in the morning.

It’s very easy to combine this town with Riquewihr or Colmar, which are two other famous towns in Alsace.

While visiting Ribeauville you shouldn’t miss trying some local cuisine and of course the local wine and nougat.

Go for a stroll through the town or hop on the tourist train that takes you around for sightseeing.

The best time of the year to come here is during summer when it’s warm outside and you can enjoy sitting at the outdoor seatings at the town’s cafes.

But you can also come here during late spring and the beginning of autumn when there are also comfortable temperatures outside.

 

Fontainebleau

Recommended by Ann Marie from Eco Conscious Traveller

A day trip to Fontainebleau is essential for anyone wishing to make the most of their time in Paris and visit a place a little less crowded and touristy than some of the main attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, or the Louvre.

I definitely recommend it over Chateau de Versailles too because, although Chateau de Versailles is incredible, there are far too many people visiting at any time of the year and it’s the same distance from Paris.

Chateau de Fontainebleau and the surrounding gardens are just as charming, beautiful, and full of rich history.

The castle is 60km from Paris and you can easily take the RER train from one of Paris’s main stations, Gare de Lyon. You take the train to Fontainebleau and then there is a free shuttle that will bring you to the castle.

Once you pay your entrance to the castle, you’ll receive an audio guide that will give you a good understanding of the castle’s history.

The decor of the castle is absolutely beautiful, and I especially appreciated the artwork on the walls.

It’s possible to just visit and not go inside the castle if you want to save money on the entrance fee as you don’t have to pay to visit the gardens.

The gardens are beautiful and it’s a great place for a walk and a picnic with some friends on one of those hot summer days.

You can book a day trip from Paris to Fontainebleau here.

 

Auvers-sur-Oise

Recommended by Sage from Everyday Wanderer

Despite visiting Paris many times and traveling extensively throughout France, I’d never heard of Auvers-sur-Oise until I saw a segment on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

From that moment on, I was obsessed with finding a way to incorporate Auvers-sur-Oise into my next trip overseas.

As luck would have it, I had to visit our French office on a business trip a few years later, and I quickly tacked on a day trip from Paris to explore Van Gogh’s old stomping grounds.

Although I made the 45-minute trek northwest from Paris by car, it’s very easy to take a train from the Saint-Lazare or Gare du Nord stations.

While the train takes about 15 minutes longer, it offers the added benefit of not searching for parking once you arrive in Auvers-sur-Oise. And the town is quite walkable once you arrive.

Exploring the French village of Auvers-sur-Oise feels like being transported into an Impressionist painting.

Home to the sights captured by Van Gogh, like the church and town hall, it’s fascinating to gaze at the actual buildings that inspired some of his most famous works.

Many buildings have large billboard-sized versions of Van Gogh’s paintings standing in front so it’s easy to compare what he captured on canvas with the actual scene.

One of the most visited destinations in Auvers-sur-Oise is the Auberge Ravoux. Located in the heart of town, it’s the boarding house where Van Gogh spent the last few months of his life creating more than 80 paintings.

Tragically, the Dutch artist only sold one painting during his lifetime. The rest of his more than 900 works of art weren’t appreciated (and often sold at astonishing prices) until after his death.

The troubled art genius is buried in Auvers-sur-Oise. A ten-minute walk north of town, visitors can pay respect to Vincent Van Gogh and his beloved brother, Theo, at the small cemetery where they are buried side by side in plots covered with ivy.

You can book a day tour from Paris to Auvers-sur-Oise, including a visit to Van Gogh’s room at Auberge Ravoux, here.

 

D-Day Sites, Normandy

Recommended by Anwar from Beyond My Front Door

Located about 3 hours by car west of Paris, many of the rugged and hallowed beaches and battlefields of World War 2’s most famous invasion lie in quiet reverence to the sacrifices of generations prior.

Normandy, with its erratic tides and rocky shores, made it the most unlikely location for an invasion, which was one of the main reasons it was chosen for this objective.

The various beaches are preserved with several of them also adjacent to the resting places of the soldiers that fell during these invasions, such as Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer.

One of the most intriguing museums is the Musée du Débarquement in Arromanche, which discusses the engineering marvel of planning a harbor in preparation for post-DDay supply requirements.

Other sites, such as Longues Sur Mer and Point du Hoc highlight the risk of troops exerting great risk to protect ships and troops still en route to landing sites.

Further afield, museums such as those in Carentan showcase paratroopers and others who participated in various military actions of the region.

Book your D-Day landing beaches tour from Paris here.

 

From enchanted castles and fairytale towns to vibrant cities or historical sites, there’s something to everyone on this list of day trips from Paris, France. Which one will you choose?

 

Have you taken a day trip from Paris? What would you add to this list of Paris day trips? Share in the comments section below!

 

Read more:

• Paris 4 Day Itinerary for First-Timers

 

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