14 Incredible Day Trips From Paris

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If you’ve got more than a few days in Paris, you will love exploring outside the city to some of the beautiful places in France and beyond. We asked travel writers what they think are the best day trips from Paris.

Each of these day-trip recommendations is under 4 hours from Paris and can be experienced in a single day, before heading back to your Paris accommodation for the night, or for the best weekend getaways from Paris.

Whether it be day trips from Paris by train or car, bus or motorbike – whichever you prefer, you can easily reach these exciting attractions, towns and cities from Paris.

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• The best Paris attractions
• Where to stay in Paris

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14 OF THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS 

Paris is a city everyone should experience at some point in their travels. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend a week exploring Paris itself. 

If you want to escape the Paris crowds for a day, or simply want to see more of the beautiful landscape nearby, you have plenty of options for day trips from Paris too.

Paris Rail System

Paris has an extensive and efficient railway system that can be used to get around the city with ease. There are a few things to keep in mind when using the railways, such as which ticket to purchase and how to validate it. With a little planning, using the Paris railways can be a breeze.

There are two main types of trains in Paris: the RER and the Metro.

The RER is a regional train that travels to the outskirts of Paris, while the Metro only goes within the city limits.

If you’re planning on staying within Paris, then you’ll only need to concern yourself with the Metro, but for your day trips, you will certainly want to become familiar with RER.

BEAUNE

Just over 2 hours from Paris by train

Beaune is the wine capital of France’s famous Burgundy region, and it is a must for any wine connoisseur.

It is also the perfect place for those who would like to learn more about the wine because Beaune is home to Burgundy winery school, which offers short classes or half-day wine tours.

These can easily be completed during a day trip and deepen your understating of France’s finest wines. 

This is a small town so one day is just enough to explore all of its most interesting attractions. It allows the traveller to make the most of their time and get to know at least one area of this amazing country well. 

The area is also amazing for lovers of nature, specifically because of the vineyards. People have a unique opportunity to go on a bike tour of Beaune and its surroundings.

Not only can they stop by any vineyard or winery they encounter on the way, but they can also enjoy the gorgeous nature around them. 

In the historic part of the city, travellers can visit the Collégiale Notre Dame, which is a large cathedral in the heart of the city.

A trip to the Hôtel-Dieu Museum is also a must – the charming museum has been around since the 15th century, and it is the most famous landmark in the town. 

Beaune offers an excellent day trip from Paris because it is easily reachable by train. The fastest train gets there in a little over 2 hours, and the tickets are fairly inexpensive.

Head to the Gare de Lyon in Paris and you can catch direct trains from there.

-Contributed by Roger from Expert World Travel

ETRETAT

2.5 hours from Paris by car

In need of a break from Paris and its crowds? Drive 2.5 hours and find out Etretat, a small town in the North West of France, in the region of Normandy.

Going to Etretat is the best day trip to have some fresh air and escape the city. Etretat is a coastal city where you can find picturesque country houses, rocky beaches, and huge chalk cliffs that make the city famous.

If you are a seafood lover, Etretat is for you! In Etretat’s downtown area, you can find many restaurants serving seafood dishes.

Among them, I recommend La Marie Antoinette, a very nice and cosy restaurant where you can have very fresh seafood of almost all kind.

After your visit to Etretat, the short drive means you can make it back to Paris in time to witness one of these magical Paris sunsets over the Eiffel Tower.

Alternatively, take a guided tour from Paris to Etretat and experience the coastal sights, museums and local cuisine.

–Contributed by Nesrine from Kev MRC

GIVERNY

60 minutes from Paris by train and shuttle bus

Giverny is a small village outside of Paris that was the home of the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet. He spent much of his life living in a small house there, and he painted the house and the gardens many times.

His famous paintings of lilies which now live in Paris’ L’Orangerie museum were painted directly from the lily ponds at the bottom of his garden.  

The small green Japanese bridge that spans part of the pond also appears in several of his paintings.

It is possible to tour the house, stroll through the gardens and visit his former studio (now the gift shop that you exit through).

Being there and seeing the places that inspired so many of Monet’s famous paintings is an incredible experience. 

To get to Giverny, take the train from Saint Lazare Station in Paris. There are several trains a day and the train trip takes about 40 minutes.

From the train station, there are shuttle buses and taxis that will take you to Monet’s house and garden. The shuttle bus costs 10 euros and takes about 20 minutes from the station.

The house and garden are open from March to October/ November from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

– Contributed by James Ian at Travel Collecting

MONT SAINT MICHEL

Approximately 4 hours by train or car from Paris

While it is a longer distance from Paris, and perhaps better suited to an overnight stay, Mont Saint Michel is worth a mention.

This quaint Normandy village is famously known as the France castle island. As the tides come in, the village is almost entirely surrounded by water each day and thus turned into an island.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Saint Michel has over 1000 years of history. Be sure to visit the Abbey, which sits atop the hill. It is also worth taking a guided walking tour of the bay during low tide.

There are also several museums in Mont St Michel, each offering a different piece of history to explore.

Read the complete guide to visiting Mont Saint Michel.

– Contributed by Sheila from Dicas de Paris

ROUEN

Between 1h 15m and 1h 45m from Paris by train

Rouen, France makes a great day trip from Paris because of the convenience of train travel, the beauty of the historic area, and the variety of sights it offers.

The city is the capital of Normandy, and in around 1.5 hours, you can be exploring the streets and photograph the Gros Horloge, Rouen’s famous astronomical clock.    

The sights of Rouen are hard to beat. The Cathedral is a Gothic gem whose beauty is the subject of a series of Monet paintings.

Inside the cathedral, along with beautiful stained glass and a stone-worked staircase I photographed far too much, is the tomb holding just the heart of Richard the Lionhearted.   

Rouen was also the location of the imprisonment, interrogation, and execution of Joan of Arc. The heroine of France has her story told through the multimedia-rich Historic Joan of Arc museum, and you can visit the location where she died at Place du Vieux Marché. 

If you like arts and museums, Rouen has quite the selection. The fine arts museum is known for the quality of its collection of works, and you should especially check out the sizeable impressionists’ exhibit.

Or how about an entire museum dedicated to wrought iron works of art?

If your taste runs more to the quirky, try the Museum of the History of Medicine – leech perch anyone? 

Or, if you just want to stroll meticulously maintained medieval streets, having your coffee in a beautiful square while you rest from shopping, Rouen is ready for you. 

From Paris, take the train toward Le Havre from the St. Lazare station. Rouen will be your first stop, and you can walk to the sights from the Rouen station. Or instead, sit back and enjoy a guided day trip to Rouen from Paris.

–Contributed by Megan from Wandertoes

VERSAILLES

The Palace of Versailles is an enjoyable and affordable day trip from Paris. Accessible via the RER and SNCF trains, shuttle bus from the Eiffel Tower or the local bus, getting to Versailles couldn’t be easier. 

The palace was built in the 17^th century and was previously the royal residence for members of the monarch, including Louis XIV and Louis XVI.

While famous for many reasons, the hall of mirrors is undoubtedly one of the main attractions within the palace and by far one of the busiest rooms. Unless you get extremely lucky it will be hard to enjoy the room as originally designed.

Nevertheless, the palace is beautifully ornate and wandering through each room, taking in the history and art collection can easily take 2-3 hours. 

Although the palace is what draws people to visit, the gardens and surrounding parks are why people continue to return. Open year-round and free to the public, the gardens are magnificent and my favourite part of the estate.

35 minutes from Paris by car or 40-120 minutes by train

If you’re a Disney fan, we recommend taking a day trip to Disneyland Paris.

Pack your backpack with a water bottle, snacks, camera, sunglasses and sunblock and hop on the RER A train to the Marne-la-Valleé – Chessy stop. From there it’s only a 2-minute walk to the park gates.

Download the Disneyland Paris App to book rides and make reservations to the Auberge de Cendrillon (Cinderella’s Inn), a fine dining restaurant. You won’t regret it!

FONTAINEBLEAU

45 minutes from Paris

Your average day trips from Paris probably involve wineries, chateaus, maybe some galleries… what about dense forests and world-class outdoor activities?

To get to Fontainebleau it’s only a 45-minute train from Paris and here you’ll find a smorgasbord of exciting possibilities. This region is famous for its forest which is huge, wild and dense – the perfect place if you want to escape the city and to get into the outdoors. 

We were drawn to Fontainebleau because it’s one of the best climbing destinations in the world.

You’ll find perfect natural rock formations which have professional climbers from all around the world come to test their skills. Bouldering in Fontainebleau isn’t just for the pros though, it’s a great activity and an incredible way to spend the day (or weeks!) and we couldn’t recommend it enough.

Climbing not your thing? There are plenty of beautiful hiking trails that take you through the small villages in town, into dense woodland and scrambling over rocks and boulders.

Because of the wooded environment, it’s a really popular place for mountain biking too. 

Maybe you’re getting tired just thinking of those activities? You should take a day tour to Chateau de Fontainebleau, an extremely lavishly decorated property originally for French Kings and Queens.

Nearly all of the building is open to the public and you can marvel at the seriously outlandish architecture.

Top tip! If you go on the last Sunday of each month you can go into the Château for free!

–Contributed by Josh & Sarah from Veggie Vegabonds

RELATED READING  – TOP HOTELS IN PARIS

CHANTILLY

1 hour from Paris by train

Chantilly is a beguiling destination in north Paris. This characterful area has all the elements you should expect for a culture-nature tour.

From the timeless Castle of Chantilly to the eclectic museum of Conde which houses the second-largest painting in France. From beautiful parks to vivid grape farm, Chantilly does not only offer photogenic chances but also fun-packed activities.  

The Chantilly Chateau itself is a good choice to spend the day where you uncover the Reconnaissance architect, stroll along Jardin Francais, visit the Horse museum and watch a horse competition in the afternoon. 

For those who are more active, you can take part in an equestrian journey to traverse the rich Chantilly forest or explore the Vineyard with local experts. 

Chantilly is accessible both by train and by car. For the distance of 55km, it takes about a 1-hour drive. 

To reach the site by train from Paris, pick the train RER D – in the direction of Creil from the city.

You can embark on the train at Gare Du Nord, one of the main stations in Paris. To disembark, take the station of Orry La Ville. From here, you simply walk to the Castle.

–Contributed by Tan from Travel to Work 

ORLEANS

1 hour from Paris by train 

If you wish to take some relief from Paris’ crowds, but still want to enjoy chic French architecture, you should visit Orléans in the Loire Valley region.

This charming town is located 130 km to the South of Paris. It’s easy to reach by rented car but also by train from Paris Austerlitz station.

The train journey takes around 1 hour and you can purchase tickets with no reservation directly before the train leaves.

And why you should visit Orléans? First of all, it’s an important historical spot. Here had the place a great battle between the French and British army.

The French soldiers were led by a famous military character – Joan of Arc, also known as The Maid of Orléans. Her devotion to God and the country helped her gain respect and become one of the most recognizable women warriors of European history.

Besides this, Orléans is a wonderful city with graceful architecture mixing medieval and modern influences (yet mostly rebuilt after WWII).

This is one of the most popular cities on the Loire river with the beautiful cathedral in the centre.

If you were disappointed by the colossal number of tourists ruining your experience in Notre Dame de Paris, you should visit the Orléans Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

And if you are lucky enough to visit it in the morning or late evening hours, you can be there alone. Enjoying the silence and calm of the huge monument will be an unforgettable memory. It can make it one of your best day trips from Paris.

–Contributed by Dominika from Sunday in Wonderland

Take a road trip around Europe with one of these kid-friendly routes.

AUVERS-SUR-OISE

1 hour from Paris by train

Auvers-Sur-Oise is located in the Northwest suburbs of Paris, 30 km from the city centre. The artist Vincent van Gogh spent the last 2 months of his life here. 

It’s lovely countryside and unsurprisingly, has been home to many artists aside from van Gogh.

Notably, Paul Cézanne, Charles-François Daubigny, and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Vincent van Gogh moved to Auvers to be treated by a local doctor, who later became the subject of two of his portraits. 

Van Gogh died here, shooting himself in the chest, and you can also see his final resting place in the village cemetery. Do not forget to visit the Absinthe Museum afterwards.

LONDON

Just over 2 hours from Paris via Eurostar train

If you’re planning to visit one of the world’s biggest cities, how do you even begin to plan it all in one day? With the ease of Eurostar that can get you there in just over two hours, a day trip to London is a perfect option for day trips from Paris.  

So where to start?

If you haven’t been to London before, you will no doubt have to fit in all the classic sights. Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace will probably take up a good chunk of your day.

You can check out our guide to the best things to do in London with kids too.

If you’re looking for something more leisurely, jump on a boat trip down the Thames and spot some of the iconic sights from the water as the city buzzes around you. 

For the foodies, you can’t miss the Borough market. You could spend hours exploring the mesmerising array of goodies on offer. Or perhaps pick one of many Michelin star haunts to pick up a bargain set lunch for £30-40. 

Then finish off your day by the canal in King’s Cross, with a glass of wine or cocktail from one of the excellent bars dotted around there, just a few minutes from St Pancras.

–Contributed by Laura from The Travelling Stomach

Visiting London with kids? Check out our favourite things to do

BRUSSELS

1 hour and 22 minutes from Paris by train

Belgium’s capital isn’t particularly a big city and you can easily see all the main Brussels attractions in one day. So if you’ve been wondering what to do in Brussels, here are a few ideas.

Start with a visit to the Grand Place and the little statue of the famous peeing boy nearby.

Keep an eye out for comic book murals and stuff your face with all the scrumptious Belgian waffles you can humanly eat in such a short time.

Maybe even visit a museum or two before you find a beautiful terrace to relax with a pint of beer. 

If you’d like to see the seat of the European Council, head to the European Quarter. The modern glass and steel Europa building gracefully combines with old Art Deco facade and it’s quite a sight to see.

The quickest way to get from Paris Nord to Brussels Midi is by high-speed Thalys train. It takes only 1h and 22 min. There are several trains daily.

–Contributed by Laura from Travelers Universe

Check out our travel guide on things to see in Brussels

BRUGES

Around 2.5 hours by train and 3.5 hours by car from Paris

Another great day trip from Paris into Belgium is a visit to Bruges, which is around 3.5 hours from Paris by car or 2.5 hours by train.

Wander along cobblestone streets and marvel at the Medieval architecture.

Visit Markt Square where the 13th-century belfry is located. Plus you can also go up the 83-metre tower to enjoy panoramic views.

Uniquely see the city with a guided 30-minute bike carriage tour.

• Flights – We use Skyscanner or WayAway to research, set price alerts and book flights.
• Car hire – compare the best car rental prices.
• Trains & Buses – We book with Omio
• Accommodation – We use Booking.com or Agoda to book most of our hotel accommodation when we travel.
• Travel insurance – Protect yourself and your belongings with Hey Mondo.
• Tours & attractions – Our preferred attraction and tour booking sites are Get Your Guide and Viator. Booking ahead will mean you don’t miss out on popular tours!

There you have it – the best day trips from Paris. Or if you have the time, start planning the perfect weekend trips from Paris instead! There is no shortage of incredible Paris day trips and each of them is easily reached by train or car!

Make sure you take the time to explore the city itself as well and don’t miss any of these must-do Paris experiences. Save this to Pinterest for later and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for travel photo inspiration and stories.