Easy Day Trips from Paris
Paris is an incredible destination with many fun things to see and do. But if you have any more than three days in the city, get out and see more of France as there are some great day trips from Paris.
The list of beautiful day trips outside Paris is very long. However, if you visit Paris for the first time, I suggest sticking to the best ones: there must be a reason to be that popular!
Usually, popularity means more people, but it also means better connections with public transportation for travelers. Also, the best Paris day trips are offered by all the tour operators, which means more competitive prices if you decide to book a guided tour.
If you are in a hurry, here’s a summary of the best day trips from Paris featuring historic cities and towns, world heritage wonders, and adventures in the great countryside:
Paris Day Trips – Best Ways to Visit
A. Day Trips from Paris By Train
Most of the best day trips from Paris described below are easy to plan by train. The French rail network connects all the major towns and cities while also linking up many small towns in rural France. If you know a few simple tips about using trains in France, then it’s an absolute breeze.
Generally, trains are on time, comfortable, relatively cheap, and definitely more eco-friendly than day trips from Paris by car.
TIP: Do you have more time available? Check out the best weekend getaways from Paris by train
B. Day Tours from Paris
Paris day tours are not the cheapest option. Still, a guided tour is definitely the most effective and comfortable way to enjoy a one-day trip from Paris, especially if the distances are long or there are no direct train connections.
A knowledgeable English-speaking guide makes the place or attraction even more enjoyable.
BEST DAY TOURS FROM PARIS
TOUR | DURATION | LOCATION | SUBJECT | TRANSPORT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.5 hrs | Versailles | History, Architecture, Gardens | Shuttle Bus | ||
5 hrs | Giverny | Arts, Monet | Private Minibus | ||
14 hrs | Mont Saint-Michel | History, Architecture, Religion | Private Minibus | ||
1 day | Euro Disney | Fun, magic, family | Shuttle Bus | ||
12 hrs | Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise | History, Architecture, French gardens | Private Minibus | ||
12 hrs | Normandy | History, Landscape | Private Minibus | ||
10-11 hrs | Epernay, champagne houses | History, Champagne | YES |
Map of the Best Day Trips Outside Paris
Click here to view this map of the best day trips from Paris on Google
Best Day Trips from Paris by Train or Guided Tour
1. Château de Versailles and Gardens
Versailles is the most popular one-day trip from Paris. The Château de Versailles is one of the world’s biggest and most beautiful palaces, with spectacular rooms and halls. It was home to three kings of France and the witness to important events like the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919), which marked the end of the First World War.
The Gardens of Versailles are as amazing as the Château itself. They are beautifully decorated with fountains, water games, and grooves. From April to October, you can enjoy the shows around the Fountains of Versailles and a fireworks show on the weekends. The impressive 5.57 km wide Grand Canal is also the ideal place for a stroll or a picnic lunch by the water.
Planning a day trip to Versailles is very easy. This quick guide to Versailles covers everything, from transportation to Versailles to my very best Château de Versailles skip-the-line tips.
If you prefer a guided tour, this Versailles skip-the-line tour with garden access and round-up transportation always has great reviews.
2. Monet’s Garden in Giverny
In the region of Normandy, Giverny is another of the most popular day trips out of Paris. The town of Giverny is where Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and worked from 1883 until he died in 1926.
Every year, thousands of visitors travel to Giverny to visit Monet’s Garden and admire the water lily pond that inspired his paintings. Apart from Monet’s house and gardens, the town has lovely shops, cafés, and an Impressionist Museum. It is also possible to visit Monet’s tomb, which is located in the town’s little church.
This guide to Giverny has all the information you need to plan a day trip to Giverny from Paris. There’s no direct train connection from Paris to Giverny, which is why many people book a guided tour with transportation. This Giverny small group tour with an expert guide always has the best ratings.
3. Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy
With spectacular Gothic architecture, rich history, and an incredible setting, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the best day trips from Paris.
Mont Saint-Michel is located on a rocky island about one kilometer off the coast of Normandy. The area is known for its high tides, making the Abbey inaccessible for some hours.
During the Middle Ages, the Abbey dedicated to Saint-Michel became a renowned center of pilgrimage and learning, attracting some of Europe’s greatest minds and manuscript illuminators. Today, this stunning site is listed as Unesco World Heritage, and it is one of the most visited places in France.
This quick guide to Mont Saint-Michel has all the information for a self-guided trip. The day trip from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel is long, and there’s no direct transportation, that’s why this small group tour with an expert guide is so popular.
4. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is one of the best family day trips outside Paris. Escape the hassle of the city and join Mickey Mouse and his friends for a magical day in Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris has two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. The Disneyland Paris rides are fun for children and adults, and there are also entertaining shows and parades for all ages.
A day trip from Paris to Disneyland Paris is easy to organize (here are all the transportation options to Disneyland Paris). Consider this combo Disneyland Paris tickets + shuttle to save money and time.
Since November 2024, prices to get to Disneyland Paris will vary according to demand. As with planes or trains, to pay less, you will have to book in advance! I recommend looking at this Disneyland Paris Crowd Calendar to find the best days to visit to avoid the biggest crowds. Once you have decided when to go, book your tickets ASAP for the best prices.
5. Loire Valley Castles
The Loire Valley is dotted with magnificent Rennaissance castles, known as Châteaux de la Loire or Loire Castles. Home to French Kings and nobles, the best Loire Valley castles are great architectural achievements, usually surrounded by fabulous French-style gardens.
The most famous Loire Valley Castles, like Blois, Amboise, and Chambord, are relatively easy to reach by public transportation. Château de Chenonceau is also possible, but the transportation options are less convenient.
Here’s how to plan a day trip to the Loire Valley from Paris. A one-day trip from Paris by train will give you time for one or two castles maximum. I recommend booking this top-rated Loire Valley tour instead, which visits three châteaux (Chenonceau, Chambord, and Amboise) plus a wine tasting.
6. D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy
In the region of Normandy, the D-day Landing Beaches is one of the most memorable day trips from Paris. Indeed, this was the definitive battle that later led to the victory of the Allies in WW2.
Visit Caen’s Memorial Museum to learn more about D-Day and the Second World War in general before heading to the main beaches where the Americans, Canadians, and British landed. These places are dotted with military cemeteries, memorials, and smaller museums, all well worth a stop.
For this Paris day trip, I recommend a guided tour with an expert guide. This Normandy D-day Landing beaches guided tour is very informative and thorough, and that’s what you want for this key chapter in the world’s history. Alternatively, rent a car to optimize your transportation times and to stop wherever you want.
7. Champagne Wine Region
If you are looking for wine day trips from Paris, the Champagne region is a lovely area to explore.
Visit Épernay, the capital of the Champagne wine, and the cute small town of Hautvillers nearby. At Hautvilliers Abbey, the monk Dom Pérignon developed the method of champagne-making, and you can visit his tomb.
Visit Reims, the region’s capital, to admire Reims’ Cathedral and do some champagne tastings.
This quick guide to Champagne from Paris details all the ways to travel to the Champagne region on a day trip from Paris. To get the most out of the region in only one day, consider one of these Champagne day tours from Paris.
TIP: If you plan to bring a few bottles home, make sure to pack your wine properly, so it arrives safely home!
8. Fontainebleau
Château de Fontainebleau is considered the ‘true home of French Kings‘, and it is one of the most beautiful castles in France.
However, a day trip to Fontainebleau is much more than the château. The forest of Fontainebleau is great for hikers and one of the best places for bouldering in France (book your bouldering session here).
Trains to Fontainebleau-Avon leave from Paris Gare de Lyon (39 min, hourly), and there’s no need to book train tickets in advance. Walkers will find some hiking trails not far from the train station, while sightseers will take the shuttle bus to reach the Château. The bus stop is just outside the train station.
In Fontainebleau, it is possible to fly over the Château and the forest on a hot air balloon. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I always recommend to everyone! The hot air balloon tour departs from the entrance of the Château, and you can read about our experience here.
9. Provins
Provins is one of the easy day trips from Paris by train. Provins is a picturesque medieval town located 90 km southeast of Paris. In Medieval times, Provins was famous for its fairs that attracted merchants from all over Europe.
Provins is like a step back in time! It boasts beautiful and well-preserved medieval architecture, part of the ramparts that once protected the city, and a network of underground tunnels built by the merchants to store the goods. Provins Tourisme organizes guided tours to visit these galleries, and this is something unique you won’t want to miss.
Regional trains to Provins leave from Gare de l’Est in Paris hourly. The journey takes 1,5 hours (one way), and there’s no need to book tickets in advance.
10. Chantilly
Chantilly is another of the best day trips from Paris by train. Chantilly is a pretty town 38 km north of the capital, well-known for its prestigious galop race, Prix de Diane Longines, and the Domaine de Chantilly.
The Domaine de Chantilly includes the Château de Chantilly, surrounded by magnificent gardens, and the Great Stables, with the Horse Museum inside. There is a Chantilly combo ticket for the Château, the Great Stables, and the Equestrian show, but you can also go for a stroll around the gardens only.
The day trip from Paris to Chantilly by train is straightforward (trains leave Gare du Nord every half an hour for a 38-minute ride). Château de Chantilly is one of the best castles near Paris and an excellent alternative to (the more popular and crowded) Château de Versailles and Château de Fontainebleau.
11. Auvers-sur-Oise
Auvers-sur-Oise is one of the loveliest small towns near Paris. Auvers is mainly known for being Van Gogh’s last home. The Dutch painter spent the last two months of his life in Auvers, where he painted 70 works.
This Paris day trip is perfect for people willing to explore the French countryside. Travel to Auvers to visit the famous Church at Auvers, Van Gogh’s tomb, and the room where he died. There are also two trails that connect several views that appear in some paintings by Van Gogh and the Impressionists. On each exact spot, there’s a plaque with a reproduction of the canvas so you can compare the actual view to its artistic representation.
An Auvers-sur-Oise day trip from Paris by train is very easy to organize. Regional trains (Transilien line H) leave from Paris Gare du Nord every half an hour for a train ride of 38 minutes (one way). Some people like to combine Auvers-sur-Oise with Giverny on a full-day tour.
So there you have it, my selection of the best day trips from Paris by train or guided tour. Which one would you like to take during your next holiday to Paris?
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