There are many excellent day trips from Paris that you can easily do independently, by public transportation or car, or on a guided tour. All it takes is deciding where you want to go, and how.
Paris is a fantastic city. It will take you days to explore it, for there are many interesting attractions, museums, and things to do. But after you are done visiting the Louvre, taking in the views from the Eiffel Tower, walking around Montmartre, etc, you may want to get out of town to explore the surroundings and the nearby regions.
The good news is that getting out of Paris is very easy. The city is incredibly well connected via a web of trains and buses, so no place is truly out of reach.
In this post, I highlight the best places that you can visit on day trips from Paris and share some information on how to get there and make the most of your time.
In a rush? These are the best guided day trips from Paris:
- Closing Time at Versailles: Small Group Versailles Tour After the Crowds with Gardens or Fountains Show – though it is expensive, this guided tour of Versailles is one of the best options around. It includes transportation by train from Paris and a guide.
- Disneyland Paris 1 day ticket – a day pass to either Disneyland Park or Walt Disney Studios Park.
- Day trip to Mont Saint-Michelle – a very good option for one of the most charming places to visit in the north of France.
- Day trip to Champagne with 8 tastings and lunch – an expensive but fun tour for all wine lovers.
- Reims Champagne full day tour from Paris – this full day guided tour goes to the region of Champagne and includes a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral of Reims.
- Normandy D-Day beaches day trip from Paris – a perfect tour for history geeks.
- Half day trip to Giverny – a nice tour to one of the most charming small owns of France, where you can pick to have either a live or audio-guide.
- Fairytaile Loire Castles – a very good guided tour to one of the most beautiful regions in France.
This is the first peak of the palace you get upon walking in through the main gate
15 Amazing Day Trips From Paris
Versailles
Versailles is the most obvious place to visit on day trips from Paris. Known as the place where all the excesses of the French Monarchy took place, the castle was originally a hunting lodge which was enlarged and embellished upon wishes of Louis XIV, who moved his court there from Paris in an attempt to keep everyone under his control.
The castle is a series of beautifully decorated rooms – you get to see the King’s and the Queen’s apartments, the famous Hall of Mirrors, and the princesses’ apartments too. Each room is decorated with fine paintings, sculptures and furniture, though most of it is reproductions and the originals are now kept at the Louvre.
Together with the palace, you can visit the magnificent gardens – a real work of art with the beautiful fountains. The Trianon Estate can be easily reached from the park. The Grand Trianon was the residence of Napoleon and the Petit Trianon was Queen Marie Antoinette retreat away from Versailles.
Between the palace, the park and the Trianon Estates, the visit will take an entire day – hence why I recommend it as one of the most interesting day trips from Paris.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The easiest and cheapest way to get from Paris to Versailles is by RER C. Buy your return ticket from the train station in Paris as there often are impossible lines at Versailles station.
Versailles Palace is open every day except Mondays from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. The gardens are open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Though you can get to Versailles independently, I recommend joining a guided tour to make the most of it.
These are some good guided tours and skip the line ticket options for Versailles:
- Ultimate Versailles skip the line guided tour – this is the tour I took. It’s a GYG Originals, which means it is only sold there and you are guaranteed quality. It lasts around 2 hours and the very knowledgeable guides take you around the palace showering you with interesting facts. After that, you are free to roam the park and to go to the Trianon if you wish.
- Versailles palace and gardens full access ticket – this is the basic skip the line ticket with no guide.
- Versailles palace and gardens full access with audio-guide – in this case, you get an audioguide to help you with your visit.
- Closing Time at Versailles: Small Group Versailles Tour After the Crowds with Gardens or Fountains Show – though it is expensive, this is one of the best options around. You get to visit the palace and the park when the largest crowds are gone, and it is one of the longest tours available.
- Versailles palace all areas entrance (Passport) – a good ticket option that gives you access to all areas. Great value for money.
- Versailles palace access all areas and fountain musical show – similar to the option above, you also get access to the fountain show.
Make sure to read my post “Seven Smart Ways To Get Versailles Tickets And Skip The Line.”
Disneyland is a popular destination for day trips from Paris
Disneyland
Disneyland is the most obvious place for day trips from Paris for families with children – but wait, it is a fun place to visit even for adults!
The park is massive, and actually divided in two parts – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. It is impossible to go on all rides – you need multiple visits for that. One that you don’t want to miss for a proper adrenaline kick is the Rock’n’Roller Coaster Aerosmith ride – it’s the fastest ride in the park.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Disneyland is located in Marne-la-Vallée, at little over 30 km from downtown Paris. You can get there by RER, getting off at Marne-la-Vallée where you will find plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction.
It’s a good idea to get tickets to visit Disneyland Paris before you actually get there, as the lines may be long. The following are some good options:
- Disneyland Paris 1 day ticket – a day pass to either Disneyland Park or Walt Disney Studios Park, depending on the option you pick.
- Disneyland Paris 1 day flexible ticket – an excellent option that is slightly more expensive but you have full flexibility to go within a year of your booking.
- Disneyland Paris 1 day ticket with transportation – a great option if you don’t want to fiddle with Paris public transportation system.
Rouen
Rouen is a perfect place for day trips from Paris. It truly is a charming place to explore – the kind where you can get lost in the narrow alleys, admiring half timbered buildings and the gorgeous cathedral that was painted by Claude Monet. You will be discovering a city that has inspired many an artist; and where Joan of Arc was executed. Make sure to also climb the clock tower for stunning views of the city.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Rouen is located an hour and a half north of Paris, in the region of Normandy. There are two trains per hour leaving from Gare Saint Lazare.
Mont Saint-Michel
Together with Versailles and Disneyland, Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most popular places for day trips from Paris and it is honestly easy to see why!
This small island is located one km off the coast of Normandy. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can go in search of historic buildings, cute little alleys and more. The tides on this coast are massive, and the island can be surrounded by water at certain times of day – either way, it is a gorgeous sight.
Make sure not to skip the Abbey – it is a mighty sight. You can book a self-guided tour of the Abbey here for just €11.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: It takes more than 2 hours to get to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris, but it is totally worth it. Take the train from Gare Montparnasse, get off at Rennes and from there hop on a bus to Mont Saint-Michel.
TIP: Take the earliest train possible to get to Mont Saint-Michel – you really want to stay there as long as possible!
Alternatively you can opt for a day tour departing from Paris. These are some good options:
- Day trip to Mont Saint-Michelle – a very good option where you get transportation (though from a meeting point and not from your hotel) and a guided visit.
- Full day Mont Saint-Michelle guided tour – another excellent option with pickup and a guide.
Reims and the Champagne region are easy to visit from Paris
Eparnay and the region of Champagne
Can you really go to France and never drink Champagne? You can’t and you shouldn’t! It goes without saying that among the best day trips from Paris there is the one to Eparnay and the region of Champagne, an area where you can admire a truly idillic landscape, quaint towns and villages and – most importantly – drink copious amounts of this wonderful drink.
Eparnay is a great place to go as all you need to do is a walk along the central avenue to discover the many tasting rooms.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: There are 5 daily trains connecting Paris to Eparnay departing every two hours from Gare de l’Est. The journey takes little over one hour.
I recommend a guided tour so that you don’t have to worry about driving across the vineyards (there are many) and getting lost, and even less about drinking and driving.
These are some good options:
- Day trip to Champagne with 8 tastings and lunch – it is an expensive tour but you honestly get a lot for what you pay.
- Small group Champagne tour with 3-course lunch – similar to the one above, but in a very small group.
- Small group Moet and Chandon Champagne tour – a slightly more affordable option.
Reims
Home of the gorgeous Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reims is one of the nicest places to visit on day trips from Paris. The city is actually the most important one in the Champagne region, so it makes sense to visit on the same day.
The Cathedral is a real work of art – take care to notice the magnificent stained glass and the intricate interiors. Not far from it, you will find the Palace of Tau, which was the residence of the kings-in-waiting for centuries and now houses the collection of crown jewels. Make sure to also go to Mumm Cellars, one of the most iconic Champagne houses.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The easiest way to get to Reims is by train from Gare de l’Est station. The trip takes around 45 minutes.
To make the most of your time in Reims, you may want to consider one or more of the following:
- Reims Champagne full day tour from Paris – this full day guided tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, to a winery and to Mumm Cellar.
- Reims city sightseeing tour by segway – a fun way to discover the city. The tour lasts around 2 hours.
- Reims city pass – a very good idea if you intend to visit many attractions.
- Notre Dame Cathedral guided tour – a good tour to discover the history and art in the cathedral.
- Palace of Tau skip the line ticket – just the basic.
A war cemetery in Normandy
Normandy
World War II and all history geeks will find that Normandy is a perfect place for day trips from Paris. This is actually a very scenic region of France – though very famous for the tragic events of D-Day. A visit will allow you to walk along the famous Omaha Beach, and to visit the Normandy American Cemetery.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The easiest access point to the places of historical significance in Normandy is Bayeux, which can be reached from Paris St. Lazare station in just over 2 hours. The city is a nice place to explore in and of itself, with a beautiful Gothic Cathedral. It takes about 20 minutes to get from Bayeux to Omaha Beach.
The easiest way to visit Normandy from Paris if you want to make sure you explore all places of historical significance is on a guided day trip. These are some good options:
- Normandy D-Day beaches day trip from Paris – the best option around as it includes plenty of free time on the most important places.
- Normandy D-Day landing beaches – another excellent option, it also includes lunch.
The gorgeous Chateaux Chantilly
Chantilly
It’s weird how Chantilly doesn’t get more visitors – it is a truly darling place and one of the easiest day trips from Paris.
The city itself is darling. Yet, it is the castle and the gardens that are truly worth visiting. You can spend the day wondering around the park, floating on the placid lake and visiting the castle. True, it lacks the grandeur of Versailles – but you will be able to enjoy it without any of the crowds.
Once you are done exploring the interior, make sure to go outside to see the castle reflected in the lake.
TIP: There is a lovely restaurant inside the castle, but if the day is sunny and warm I actually recommend eating in the park!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The quickest and cheapest way to get to Chantilly is by train from Gare du Nord station. There are multiple trains every day and the trip takes no longer than 30 minutes. You can get a ticket to visit the Castle here.
Fontainebleau
This is a lovely destination for day trips from Paris. It is where the Palace of Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, is located. Once a medieval palace, this was completely rebuilt and has been a favorite residence escape for many French kings and has also been used by Napoleon.
The palace is absolutely stunning, with beautifully decorated rooms where much of the original furnishings are still in place. There isn’t much else to see in the city but you can combine your visit with that of Vaux-le-Vicomte.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: You can easily reach Fontainebleau by train from Paris Gare de Lion station. The journey takes around 40 minutes.
You can get tickets to the Fontainebleau Castle here. For a combined tour of Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte from Paris, you may want to consider this one sold on Get Your Guide: it comes with excellent reviews and it is very budget friendly considering the amount of places visited, the fact it includes transportation and a guided tour.
Giverny
Giverny is one of the nicest places to visit on day trips from Paris. This incredibly scenic village was where Claude Monet lived until his death in 1926. He had a lovely house with a well kept garden that inspired him for his paintings.
Needless to say, Monet’s house and studio will be the highlight of your visit. You should be able to also see the Japanese bridge that he often featured in his work.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The easiest and cheapest way to get to Giverny is by train from Gare Saint Lazare. Get off at Vernon.
It may be a good idea to join a guided tour to make the most of this marvelous place. These are some good options:
- Half day trip to Giverny – a well organized tour where you can pick to have either a live or audio-guide.
- Giverny and Monet’s garden by train – a good full day trip but please take care to note you don’t have a guide and entrance tickets are not included.
- Monet’s garden bike tour from Paris – perfect for the most active travelers.
Chateaux Chambord is one of the must see in the Loire Valley
Loire Valley
Chateaux Chambord and Chateaux de Chenonceau are two of the most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley that can be visited on day trips from Paris. The region is incredibly scenic and when visiting you will also pass by some lovely vineyards where you can go in for wine tasting.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Though you can easily get to the Loire region by train (trains run regularly and the trip lasts between one and one and a half hour), I actually recommend joining a guided tour that will take you around the region and the various castles and with a guide that will explain you the detailed history, so you can truly make the most of it.
Below are some good guided tours departing from Paris:
- Fairytaile Loire Castles – a very good guided tour that takes you to three different castles and includes lunch and wine tasting. It seems expensive but it actually is good value for money.
- Full day Loire Valley Chateaux tour – another excellent tour of the castles and wineries of the region. Lunch is included only in certain seasons.
- Castles of the Loire Valley full day tour – excellent tour that also includes hotel pick up.
Provins
Provins is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found near Paris. It is a lovely, lesser visited city where you can really get away from the crowds that you will normally find in Paris. The city once was the most important in the region of Champagne. You can have fun walking along the ramparts, visiting the underground tunnels and the Tour Cesar, which dates back to the 12th century. If you have time, make sure to also visit the Grange aux Dimes market.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Regular trains to Provins depart from Paris Gare de l’Est station. The journey takes around 90 minutes.
The colorful Bruges
Bruges
If you feel like you can push yourself a bit further, Bruges is a nice place for day trips from Paris. The city is so pretty and unique that it’s been UNESCO enlisted. You can wonder around the well kept historical center, where some buildings date back to the 12th century.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Trains to Bruge depart from Gare du Nord. The journey takes around 2 and a half hours. If you’d rather go on a guided day trip departing from Paris, you can book this one here: it also includes a canal cruise.
Once in Bruges, you have several options for things to do. These are some recommended ones:
- Free walking tour – you only pay a booking fee. Keep in mind that groups tend to be large and you are expected to leave a tip.
- Bruges 2 hour walking tour – a very good tour particularly convenient if you are traveling in a larger group. The price is per group.
- Bruges guided rickshaw tour – a fun tour for group of up to 3 passengers.
Brussels
You wouldn’t think of going to Brussels were it not for the fact that with the fast train you can really get there in no time – it actually makes sense to visit it on day trips from Paris.
Brussels is an interesting city with a lot to offer and you won’t have time to get bored during your visit. Make sure to visit the Notre Dame du Sablon church, which dates back to the 14th century, the Atomium, the Grand Palace and the Palais Royal. I also recommend trying some local specialties – fries are really delicious here, and you won’t have a hard time finding literally the best chocolate in the world.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Thalys trains to Brussels leave from Paris Gare du Nord. The overall journey is around one hour and 40 minutes.
Once in Brussels, I recommend one or more of these activities:
- Free walking tour – a good idea but keep in mind there is a booking fee and you are expected to tip the guide. Groups may be larger than you hope.
- Atomium admission ticket – one of the most famous attractions in town where there often is a line.
- Chocolate tasting tour – literally the most delicious activity in town.
- Hop-on hop-off bus tour – an easy way to get around town and see the main landmarks.
- Belgian beer tasting experience – one of the most fun tours for beer lovers.
London Tower Bridge
London
London is such a big city that I am honestly reluctant to recommend it as a place for day trips from Paris. But if you have limited time in Europe, you may as well go and make the most of it.
You won’t have shortage of thing to do and places to visit in London. Among the attractions I recommend there are the London Eye, which will give you incredible birds-eye view of London, the Tower of London and the nearby Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and / or St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Make sure to get skip the line tickets for the attractions you want to visit, as London can get crowded with tourists. You are probably better off also getting a tourist Oyster Card to use London public transportation.
Here are some good skip the line tickets for London’s most famous attractions:
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The Eurostar leaves from Paris Gare du Nord and leaves you in London Victoria Station. The first one goes at 6:00 am so try to take that to ensure that you have enough time to explore the city. The last train from Victoria departs at 8:00 pm.
Further readings about Paris and France
Make sure to read my other posts about Paris and its attractions:
- 33 Incredible Places To Visit In Paris
- A Week In Paris Itinerary: What To See And Do
- A Wonderful Itinerary For 5 Days In Paris
- A Fantastic Itinerary To See Paris In 4 Days
- Paris In 3 Days: A Great Itinerary To Make The Most Of It
- A Fabulous Itinerary For 2 Days In Paris
- The Perfect Itinerary To See Paris In A Day
- 27 Cool Things To Do In Montmartre, Paris
- A Guide To The 5 Best Cities To Visit In France
- Seven Smart Ways To Get Eiffel Tower Tickets And Skip The Lines
- Nine Smart Ways To Get Tickets To The Louvre And Skip The Line
- Eight Incredibly Smart Ways To Get Musee D’Orsay Tickets And Skip The Lines
- How To Avoid The Most Common Paris Scams
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