The Best Day Trips from Paris
Paris itself is amazing, but if you want a break from the city there are many amazing destinations nearby to choose from! Here are my top ten suggestions for the best day trips from Paris.
I’ve included essential info like transportation and ticket prices for each of these Paris day trip destinations. I’ve also included some recommendations for tours through if you’d rather not worry about organizing all the details yourself!
1. Versailles
Versailles is probably one of the most popular day trips from Paris and it’s easy to see why. This gorgeous former royal palace is the epitome of opulence and luxury. While the château itself is impressive, make sure you dedicate a few hours to exploring the beautiful gardens as well.
How to get there: RER C train from Paris (takes about 50 minutes)
Tickets: Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in line. Tickets are €20.
⛲️ Rather take an organized tour? Take this skip-the-line guided tour of Versailles from Paris.
2. Chantilly
If you want to go somewhere that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale, take a day trip to the Château de Chantilly. The castle is surrounded by a lake, and the grounds and gardens around it are just stunning.
The castle also houses an impressive collection of art. Make sure to try some Chantilly cream in the village before you leave!
How to get there: From Gare du Nord take the TER train to Chantilly-Gouvieux. (It takes about 30 minutes.) From the station you can take a scenic walk to the château (about half an hour) or take the free DUC shuttle.
Tickets: Tickets are available online and are €17 for adults or €10 for students.
⛲️ Rather take an organized tour? Book this day tour of Château de Chantilly the Great Stables of Prince de Conde with transportation from Paris.
3. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris makes for a truly magical day trip. Whether you are traveling with kids or just want to feel like a kid again yourself, Disneyland is the perfect place to go.
How to get there: RER A train from Paris (takes about one hour). You can buy the train ticket with park ticket here.
Tickets: Save money by purchasing a weekday ticket and get your tickets online in advance.
🏰 Book a private transfer to Disneyland Paris from/to your hotel and buy your Disney tickets online in advance.
4. Reims
Reims is the unofficial capital of the Champagne region of France. Here you will find a beautiful Gothic cathedral and famous champagne houses that you can tour like Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Drappier, and G. H. Martel & Co.
How to get there: Take the TGV train from Gare de l’Est to Reims. It takes about one hour.
🥂 Book full-day tour from Paris to Reims with Champagne Tasting.
5. Giverny
Monet’s home at Giverny is one of the best day trips from Paris. The little village of Giverny is extremely quaint, and of course the highlight is Monet’s home.
You can admire the Japanese garden and floating water lilies that inspired so many of Monet’s paintings in his later years.
How to get there: Take the train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny. (It takes about one hour.) From the town of Vernon you can either walk to Giverny (about an hour along the ancient railroad tracks) or take a shuttle bus or taxi.
Tickets: Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in line once you get there. Tickets are €10.20 for adults and €7.20 for students.
🌸 Book this guided day tour from Paris to Giverny. Or take a bike tour from Paris to Monet’s garden.
6. Fontainebleau
The Château de Fontainebleau is another impressive palace outside of Paris. The estate and gardens are beautiful, and it’s surrounded by a large forest with lots of paths for hiking or cycling.
How to get there: Take the TER train from Gare du Nord to Fontainebleau-Avon. (It takes about about 40 minutes.)
Tickets: Tickets are available online and cost €12.
⛲️ Book this Chateau de Fontainebleau & Vaux-Le-Vicomte tour with transportation from Paris.
7. London
Yes, it’s possible to take a day trip to London from Paris thanks to the super fast Eurostar!
You can be in London in just 2.5 hours on this high-speed train. Make sure to leave early in the morning and take the last train back so you have a full day to explore the highlights of London.
How to get there: Eurostar train, make sure to buy tickets in advance for the best price!
🚆 Book this London day trip from Paris with Thames River Cruise.
8. Vaux-le-Vicomte
Château Vaux-le-Vicomte is another impressive castle located not too far outside of Paris. The gardens at this château are actually what inspired the gardens of Versailles!
How to get there: From Gare de L’Est, take the Line P train towards Provins and get off at Verneuil l’Etang. You’ll need to take the shuttle bus or get a cab to the castle. The train takes about 55 minutes and then it’s a 15 minute drive to the castle.
Tickets: €16.50 for adults and €14.50 for students, buy them online here.
⛲️ Book day trip to Vaux le Vicomte castle with chateau with entry ticket and bus transfer from Paris.
9. Provins
If you’re looking for a total change of scenery from Paris, head to Provins, a little medieval town that has been fully preserved. You will feel like you’re stepping back in time with the half-timbered houses and fortified city walls.
How to get there: Take the Line P train from Gare de L’Est and get off at the last top, which is Provins. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
🏠 Rather take an organized tour? Book this Provins day trip with transportation from Paris
10. Mont Saint-Michel
While Mont Saint-Michel is further away from Paris than many of the other destinations on this list, it’s well worth the trek.
Located about four hours from Paris on the Normandy coast, Mont Saint-Michel is an enchanting small island housed on a dramatic rocky hill.
How to get there: Drive, take a bus, or take a train/bus combo
🏰 I HIGHLY recommend this guided full-day tour of Mont Saint-Michel from Paris.
These are all of my recommendations for the best day trips from Paris!
If you are looking for more ideas about what to do in Paris, make sure to check out these posts.
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About Denise Cruz
Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.