During the seven years I lived in France I took my fair share of day trips from Paris. It’s a fun way to escape the city for the day or an afternoon. There are so many places to go, there really is something for everyone within an hour or two of the city.
Here I’ve selected the best towns, castles, gardens, museums, whatever it is you’re looking for, places that are easily accessible, interesting, historic and beautiful.
It can be tough to drag yourself away from Paris, especially if it’s only your first or second visit. But there are so many incredible day trips to choose from, that it’s worth taking a least one day to see something outside of the capital.
Scroll down to view my top 5 and the most popular day trips or click on a link to take you directly to destinations that interest you.
- Castles and Palaces
- Gourmet Day Trips
- Cathedral Cities and Cute Towns
- Parks & Gardens
- WWI & WWII History and Battlefields
- Day Trips Abroad
Top 5 Paris Day Trips
If you’re new to Paris and visiting in 2022, I recommend picking one of the top 5-day trips. For regular visitors to Paris, if you have the time to explore a bit more, head further afield and off the beaten track. Either way, you can’t go wrong with my top 5.
- Versailles
- Monet’s Garden
- Mont Saint-Michel
- Loire Valley Castles
- Lille
Versailles
A Frenchman once told me he couldn’t understand why people want to see the Palace of Versailles. It’s garish and pretentious and so over the top, it’s ridiculous. But that’s exactly why people want to see it. The royals lead such an outrageous way of life with their various palaces trimmed with gold and lined with silk, their private designer gardens and decadent food.
Before they lost their heads that is.
Versailles is the most extraordinary and ostentatious of all the castles in France. Grand ballrooms, royal apartments, lavish furnishings, fanciful ornaments. It’s a crazy display of the massive wealth of the ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV and the French monarchy.
If the crowds and lines at the palace are too much you can enter the gardens for free with its perfectly manicured French garden, beautiful fountains, an artificial lake and the wild woods.
As one of the most visited chateaux in the world, you’ll want to get there as the doors open and get your ticket in advance if you can.
Distance from Paris: 20 kilometres
By car: 30 minutes towards to southwest of the city. There is no free parking in Versailles.
By train: RER C (from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame) to Versailles Rive Gauche.
Versailles Entrance Tickets: Skip the line and get your tickets in advance. Buy the full pass ticket (€20).
Day Trip: The most popular Versailles guided tour from Paris.
Monet’s Garden
It’s somewhat surreal to walk under the weeping willows, over the Japanese bridge and past the familiar lily pads. It’s like literally walking through one of Claude Monet’s paintings. The gardens are as lovely as his artwork and if you arrive early you can appreciate why Monet cherished painting this tranquil landscape. If you love visiting gardens, this would be the best Paris excursion for you.
Distance from Paris: 75 kilometres
Opening Dates: 1st April to 1st November 2022
Best time to visit: Spring – Mid-April to May
Entry fee: €13 for adults.
By car: 1 hour 10 minutes via the A14 and A13 west of Paris. There is free parking in Giverny.
By train: Take the train from Gare Saint Lazare to Vernon. From Vernon to Giverny you can take a taxi the shuttle bus or walk the 7km.
Tour: There are two main tours from Paris:
- Monet’s Garden and the Palace of Versailles.
- A cycling tour of Giverny and Monet’s Garden (includes bus to Giverny then 5km of cycling).
Mont Saint-Michel
Past the town and towards the causeway you approach the flat salt marsh. At low tide, the land is dotted with grazing sheep, the so-called agneau pré salé (pre-salted lamb). At high tide, the water surrounds the giant mound, topped with the imposing abbey and medieval village homes. Mont Saint-Michel is a spectacular sight.
Along with the salt marsh lamb, the local speciality is a crazily whipped, outrageously overpriced, touristy omelette. The place to try it is La Mere Poulard or you can watch it being made through the window of the shop. Alternatively, find a local restaurant on the mainland where you can try it for half the price in a friendlier atmosphere.
Mont Saint-Michel is a very long day trip outside of Paris but it’s such a unique, incredible sight it’s worth the time and the fight through the crowds of tourists. Try to visit in time for sunrise or sunset if you can or stay overnight for a better experience.
Distance from Paris: 360 kilometres
By car: 3 hours 30 minutes west via the A11 or A13.
By train: The tourist office has information on public transport.
Tour: You can book the most popular tour here.
Loire Valley Castles
The Loire Valley is home to many of France’s most famous castles and palaces. Chambord, Cheverny, Amboise and Chenonceau are the most well recognised and easiest to visit.
These chateaux are around 200 kilometres from Paris and are all within easy reach of each other. Chambord and Cheverny are only 20 minutes from each other as are Amboise and Chenonceau so you can easily visit two chateaux in one day. If you want to visit more or spend longer at each castle then I suggest hiring a car for a few days.
Distance from Paris: 180 to 240 kilometres
By car: 2 to 2 1/2 hours, between the cities of Blois and Tours.
By train: Check the timetables here.
Tour: Visit 2 castles and the cute town of Blois.
Lille
Grand squares, Flemish architecture, world-class museums and some of the most delicious food in France. Lille is overlooked by many visitors but the northern city is one of the best Paris day trips, especially for foodies. See the gourmet getaway section below for information on eating your way around Lille.
Distance from Paris: 225 kilometres
By car: 2 hours 20 minutes north via the A1.
By train: 1 hour on the TGV fast train from Paris Gare du Nord.
Complete List of Day Trips from Paris
Castles and Palaces
So many castles so little time. If you want to go castle hopping around Paris, you are spoilt for choice.
Versailles
Versailles was the residence of King Louis XIV and at the time, the seat of the French government. The extravagant palace with its magnificent Hall of Mirrors, the royal throne and the location of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I is a wonderful place to visit.
Distance from Paris: 20 kilometres
By car: 30 minutes towards to southwest of the city. There is no free parking in Versailles.
By train: RER C (from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame) to Versailles Rive Gauche.
Versailles Tickets: Skip the line and get your tickets in advance. Buy the full pass ticket (€20).
Day Trip: The most popular Versailles guided tour from Paris.
Fontainebleau
The heavily embellished interior of the Italian-designed Chateau de Fontainebleau is worth a visit along with the extensive landscaped garden by the famous designer Andre le Notre. It was in the chateau’s famous horseshoe-shaped staircase where Napoleon gave his abdication speech before going into exile.
The nearby Fontainebleau forest is a nice spot for a hike if you want to see more than just the chateau.
Distance from Paris: 70 kilometres
By car: 1 hour south via the A6.
By train: This is one of the easiest day trips from Paris by train.
Tour: Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte tour with audio guide.
Vaux le Vicomte
The incredible baroque architecture and sumptuous interior of Vaux le Vicomte rivals that of Versailles as does its magnificent garden. The French garden was one of the first of its kind and was copied in palaces all over Europe.
Distance from Paris: 60 kilometres
By car: 50 minutes southeast from Porte de Bercy.
Chantilly
Chantilly is not just the home of sweet whipped cream but also of one of the prettiest castles close to Paris. Surrounded by a large pond and moat, the hunting palace and gardens are adorable. The interior may not have the opulence of Versailles, Fontainebleau or Vaux le Vicomte but there are plenty of interesting pieces of art and the gardens to make up for it.
Consider a side trip to the nearby town of Senlis before returning to Paris.
Distance from Paris: 50 kilometres
By car: 1 hour north via the A1.
By train: 25 minutes north of Gare du Nord.
More Castles Near Paris
- Pierrefonds
A medieval castle left abandoned to ruin until emperor Napoleon III arranged for its restoration in the 19th century. Pierrefonds is classified as a monument historique in France and has been the location for films and TV series. - Malmaison
The former home of Napoleon I’s wife, Josephine, has a decent collection of artwork and furniture and an extensive rose garden. - Breteuil
The interior of this chateau has been recreated to represent famous fairy tales and the gardens include a playground and topiary maze. - Maintenon
A small castle formerly owned by Louis XIV’s second wife with gardens by Andre le Notre and a picturesque 17th-century aqueduct. - Rambouillet
An 18th-century castle used at different times by Francois 1er, Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, and a number of French presidents. - Thoiry
Best known for its drive-through zoo and the hedge maze rather than the chateau itself. - Monte-Cristo
The Chateau de Monte-Cristo is the former home of Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte-Cristo.
Loire Valley Castles
While you could visit multiple Loire Valley castles on the same trip I suggest picking one or two to enjoy on a day trip. If you want to explore more chateaux of the Loire Valley it would be better to base yourself in Blois or Tours for a few days.
- Chambord
- Distance from Paris: 180 kilometres
- By car: 1 hour 50 minutes via the A10.
- Cheverny
- Distance from Paris: 200 kilometres
- By car: 2 hours via the A10.
- Amboise
- Distance from Paris: 230 kilometres
- By car: 2 hours 15 minutes via the A10.
- Chenonceau
- Distance from Paris: 240 kilometres
- By car: 2 hours 30 minutes via the A10.
- Blois
- Distance from Paris: 180 kilometres
- By car: 1 hour 50 minutes via the A10.
Once you pass Tours you’re probably stretching it for a day trip. Although it’s technically possible, I suggest visiting one of the closer castles instead.
- Villandry
- Distance from Paris: 270 kilometres
- By car: 2 hours 45 minutes via the A10.
- Azay-le-Rideau
- Distance from Paris: 270 kilometres
- By car: 2 hours 45 minutes via the A10.
- Ussé
- Distance from Paris: 285 kilometres
- By car: 3 hours via the A10.
Gourmet Day Trips
There are so many incredible day trips from Paris, it’s hard to choose where to go. Food plays a big part in many people’s travel decisions. The following destinations have outstanding food and wine as well as plenty of sightseeing to keep you busy.
- Lille
- Champagne Region – Reims and Epernay
- Strasbourg
- Dijon
Lille
Once you’ve admired the Flemish architecture on the Grand Place, climbed the Town Hall Belfry and admired Hector Guimard’s brilliant architecture, it’s time to prepare for the main event, eating your way around Lille.
Have a traditional Lillois lunch at an Estaminet. These micro-breweries (or former breweries) typically serve heavy meals with rich beer-based sauces and a variety of dishes made with the local maroilles cheese. Carbonnades Flammandes, Welsh au maroilles and coq à la bière are all specialities.
Save space for dessert at Merveilliux de Fred, the most sumptuous dessert in France. Layers of fluffy meringue interspersed and generously covered in cream then rolled in chocolate shavings. You can’t eat in the shop but don’t miss ordering a couple to take away.
For a more formal afternoon, dessert experience Meert is the patisserie/cafe in Lille. The building is gorgeous and the historic atmosphere makes for a lovely break. Try the sweet Meert waffles, which are like flat waffle biscuits stuffed with chocolate or vanilla cream. They’re served cold and are not at all like Belgian waffles.
Distance from Paris: 225 kilometres
By car: 2 hours 20 minutes north via the A1.
By train: 1 hour on the TGV fast train from Paris Gare du Nord.
Champagne Region
There are two options for exploring the champagne region, the bigger city of Reims where you’ll find the likes of Taittinger and Veuve Cliquot or the town of Epernay which is home to Moet and Chandon and many smaller domains. You can also do tastings on your own over lunch or in a wine bar.
For the best experience, I suggest doing one cellar tour and champagne tasting and then spending the rest of the day relaxing over a long meal with a bottle of your champagne of choice.
Distance from Paris: 140 kilometres
By car: 1 hour 30 minutes east on the A4.
By train: 45 minutes on the TGV from Paris Est and a bit further for Epernay.
Tour: Day trip to Champagne with 8 tastings.
Strasbourg
Hop off the train and head straight to Petit France to explore the picturesque canals, half-timbered houses and winding streets before moving on to the Grande Ile to check out the massive red-bricked gothic cathedral.
Then explore the regional specialities like tarte flambé (Flammkuchen in German), sauerkraut and Baeckeoffe (a slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew). Drink the local wines, typically Reisling, beer from the big or independent breweries or the fruity cider.
Distance from Paris: 500 kilometres
By car: Strasbourg is too far to drive for the day. Take the LGV high-speed train.
By train: 1 hour 50 minutes on the LGV from Paris Est.
Train tickets: If your dates are flexible you can get tickets for as little as €15 to Strasbourg.
Dijon
Dijon is home to ducal palaces, Renaissance mansions and half-timbered houses and is one of the most beautiful and underrated cities in France. Its beauty is enhanced by an abundance of mouthwatering gourmet specialties like boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, espoisses cheese and of course mustard of all varieties.
I suggest arriving in Dijon as early as possible to take advantage of the wonderful boulangeries and their hot-out-of-the-oven pastries. Follow that up with a set menu, three-course lunch at a traditional restaurant.
Later head to the covered Les Halles marketplace to stock up on picnic supplies or delicacies to take back to Paris. Look out for specialities jambon persille (ham terrine with parsley), Bresse chicken and escargots.
Along with the well-known red wines from Burgundy, the drink speciality originating in the region is kir, the delicious white wine and cassis aperitif (blackcurrant) enjoyed at apero time throughout France.
Dijon is one of the best foodie excursions from Paris.
Distance from Paris: 315 kilometres
By car: Dijon is too far to drive for the day. Take the TGV fast train.
By train: 1 hour 40 minutes on the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon.
Train tickets: Tickets start from €27 but you can occasionally find cheaper tickets.
Cathedral Cities and Cute Towns
Paris is surrounded by villages, small towns and bigger cities just waiting to be explored. You’re spoilt for choice whether it be cathedral cities Chartres, Rouen and Orleans, pretty Angers or the very quaint Provins. These are some of the best short-day trips from Paris.
- Chartres
- Provins
- Rouen
- Angers
- Orleans
Chartres
Chartres is one of the most popular day trips from Paris due to its proximity and the famous cathedral, Notre Dame de Chartres, with its stunning stained glass windows. To the rear of the cathedral is the neatly manicured Bishop’s Palace Garden and also worth a visit is the unusual Maison Picassiette.
Distance from Paris: 90 kilometres
By car: 1 hour 10 minutes south-west via the A10 and A11
By train: 1 hour 10 minutes from Gare Montparnasse
Provins
Provins is a pretty split-level medieval town with ramparts surrounding much of the upper town. While in the upper town, climb the narrow staircase to the top of Caesar’s Tower for the best views over the town and surrounding countryside.
The rest of your day could be spent exploring the quaint old streets and buildings or heading below the town into the underground passages.
Distance from Paris: 90 kilometres
By car: 1 hour south-east of Paris via the N4
By train: Transilien Train from Gare de l’Est. You can use a Passe Navigo, Mobilis railcard or the Paris Visite Card for 5 zones or buy a ticket at the station.
Rouen
If Rouen Cathedral looks familiar it might mean all those trips to museums and Giverny weren’t for nothing. Claude Monet made the cathedral famous with more than 30 paintings depicting the building at various times of the day.
Rouen is also where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. For something a bit different visit the Great Clock and the Botanical Gardens.
Like the rest of Normandy, Rouen is known for its dairy products. Cheese, butter, cream, milk… it’s all incredible, some of the best in France. The region is also big on apples which means dessert and cider.
Distance from Paris: 130 kilometres
By car: 1 hour 40 minutes north-west via the A13
By train: 1 hour 10 minutes from Gare Saint Lazare
Angers
Angers might not be on your radar for a day trip. For starters, it seems quite far but it’s really not if you take the train. The city is cute and kind of medieval in feel thanks to its half-timbered houses. The highlight is the 9th-century fortress, Chateau d’Angers, and for an unusual side trip, you can take a tour of the Cointreau factory.
Distance from Paris: 300 kilometres
By car: Angers is too far to drive for a day trip. Take the TGV fast train.
By train: 1 hour 35 minutes from Gare Montparnasse.
Orleans
Local heroine Joan of Arc is recognised in monuments and museums around Orleans. She saved the city from the English in 1429, an event which is still celebrated to this day. There are a few things to see in Orleans but most visitors only stop by on their way to visit the famous Loire Valley chateaux.
Distance from Paris: 130 kilometres
By car: 1 hour 30 minutes south via the A10
By train: 1 hour from Paris Austerlitz
Parks & Gardens
France spends an extraordinary amount on parks and gardens each year and it shows. In Paris alone you have the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Tuileries, Palais Royal, Place des Vosges and Parc Monceau to name just a few.
Outside of Paris, there are some free public gardens and private gardens worth paying a few euros for.
- Monet’s Garden at Giverny
- Gardens of Versailles
- Saint Jean de Beauregard
Monet’s Garden at Giverny
If you love flowering bulbs and cherry blossoms or anything to do with Claude Monet, this is the ultimate Paris trip. You can see the famous water lilies and walk over the Japanese bridge depicted in Monet’s impressionist paintings.
There’s not a huge collection of Monet’s paintings here, for that you’re better off visiting the Musee Marmottan, Musee de l’Orangerie or Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Giverny is all about his home and garden and those iconic paintings.
See above for details.
Gardens of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is the most popular day trip from Paris but it’s not just the palace that is impressive. The Gardens of Versailles are made up of formal French gardens with tightly clipped and perfectly symmetrical hedges, garden beds covered in plump annuals and quintessential white stone pathways.
Beyond the palace are hundreds of hectares of woods, manicured lawns, sculptures, fountains, an orangery, a grotto and the enormous 1,500-metre-long Grand Canal.
One of the great things about the gardens is that they are free to enter. You can skip the queues trying to get into the palace and walk straight through the side gate where you can roam around at your leisure. It’s one of the best places in the world to have a picnic.
Distance from Paris: 20 kilometres
Entry fee: None, the gardens are free to enter.
By car: 30 minutes towards to southwest of the city. There is no free parking in Versailles.
By train: RER C (from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame) to Versailles Rive Gauche.
Saint Jean de Beauregard
The Chateau de Saint-Jean de Beauregard is home to one of the few remaining castle kitchen gardens in the world. The 17th-century gardens span two hectares where you can find rare and forgotten fruits, vegetables and flowers. There are glasshouses for grapes, a fruit cellar and a grape storage chamber.
Distance from Paris: 40 kilometres
When to visit: See the seasonal flowering calendar for when to visit.
Entry fee: €8, free parking.
By car: 50 minutes via the A6 then A10.
WWI & WWII History and Battlefields
France has so much to offer military history buffs. WWI and WWII moments, memorials, cemeteries and battlefields are scattered throughout north-eastern France. Most are close enough to Paris for a day trip.
- Amiens and La Somme – WWI
- Fromelles – WWI
- D-Day Beaches in Normandy – WWII
Amiens and La Somme
The Somme was at the heart of the Western Front during the Great War and saw many fierce battles including the Battle of the Somme from July to November 1916 and the Battles of Picardy from March to September 1918. There are various museums and memorials for French, Australian, New Zealand, Newfoundland (Canadian), and Chinese workers.
There’s a lot to see in Amiens and at the Somme battlefields. Somme Tourisme is probably the best place to start your planning.
Distance from Paris: 145 kilometres
By car: 2 hours north via the A16
By train: 1 hour 20 minutes to Amiens via Paris Gare du Nord
Fromelles (near Lille)
In the small French village of Fromelles during 14 hours beginning on the 19th of July 1916 more than 8,500 Australian, British and German troops were killed, wounded or taken prisoner with 5,533 of them being Australian. One of the deadliest battles in Australian history.
Many of the fallen Australian soldiers were buried in mass graves in the woods near Fromelles. In 2009 and 2010 the bodies were exhumed and given individual funerals with military honours at the new Pheasant Wood Cemetery. You can visit the cemetery (there’s also a British military cemetery nearby), the location of the hand-to-hand combat battle and a small museum at the town hall.
Distance from Paris: 230 kilometres
Opening Dates: Museum of the Battle of Fromelles
By car: 2 hours 40 minutes north via the A1
By train: 1 hour from Gare du Nord to Lille then private transport (taxi or hire car) to Fromelles (there’s no train).
D-Day Beaches in Normandy
D-Day, Operation Overlord. Allied forces from the US, Britain, Canada and France simultaneously landed at five separate beaches on the coast of Normandy code named:
- Sword Beach (British)
- Juno Beach (Canadian)
- Gold Beach (British)
- Omaha Beach (American)
- Utah Beach (American)
The coast is lined with German gun emplacements, bunkers, war memorials, cemeteries and related museums. The tourist office offers a free comprehensive guide to the D-Day beaches which you can download here.
Distance from Paris: 280 kilometres
By car: 2 to 3 hours northwest via the A13
By train: 2 hours to Caen from Paris Saint Lazare and then buses between the landing beaches. There is also a bike route between the beaches.
Tour: Normandy D-Day Beaches.
Day Trips Abroad
While it might seem a little crazy to leave Paris for other countries for the day it’s totally possible. A little extravagant maybe but possible. In less than 3 hours you could be having lunch in Belgium or shopping in London.
There’s a lot you can do in a day provided you’re organised and know what you want. Get the fast Thalys train to Brussels or one of Belgium’s gorgeous Flemish cities or take the Eurostar to London. A day trip from Paris to Germany or Luxembourg is probably a little too far but one of these might suit you:
- London, United Kingdom
- Brussels, Belgium
- Bruges, Belgium
- Ghent, Belgium
London
There’s so much to see in London but if you’re focused you can get a lot done. The best option for a day trip to London is to pick one area or one or two things you want to do and stick to that. Don’t spread yourself too thin. I would even write a list so you don’t get distracted!
You might want to go up the Shard, visit Borough Market, stop by Buckingham Palace, have afternoon tea or go shopping in Soho.
Getting around London from King’s Cross & St Pancras International:
The Tube is the easiest way to get around. Top up your Oyster card or use the new contactless bank/credit card system to pay as you go.
- Shoreditch – 8 minutes to Liverpool Street Station then walk 5-10 minutes.
- Covent Garden – 6 minutes on the Piccadilly line.
- Soho – 4 minutes on the Victoria line to Oxford Circus.
Eurostar: 2 hours 15 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras.
Tickets: Look out for special deals but you can usually find round-trip tickets for less than €80.
Brussels
I’ll never forget walking into the glowing gold-tipped, awe-inspiring Grand Place in central Brussels. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my first ever Euro trip more than 20 years ago. Oh yeah and the food.
Of course, Belgium, and Brussels in particular, is known for its fabulous handmade chocolates, waffles, pomme frites (chips/French fries) and beer. Alongside Michelin-starred and traditional restaurants, you have cuisines from around the world. Brussels is a brilliant gourmet destination.
Thalys: 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi.
Tickets: €60 when on sale but more often around €80 round trip.
Bruges
Bruges is routinely cited as one of the most romantic destinations in Europe. I’m not really sure what that means but I imagine it’s something to do with the flower-lined canals, colourful Flemish architecture, quaint side streets and exceptional gourmet food. Bruges has that picture-postcard prettiness visitors often look for when heading to Europe.
Thalys: 2 hours 50 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord to Bruges via Brussels Midi.
Tickets: There is an Any Belgian Station (ABS) supplement that allows you to travel on Thalys via Brussels Midi on any train on the Belgian network. Return tickets from Paris including the ABS supplement are usually around €100.
Tour: Paris to Bruges day trip with a canal cruise.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in France. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
