Paris, the City of Light, enchants many travelers with its romance, gastronomy, and historic architecture. You might consider it the ultimate urban getaway — but what about when you want to escape the city? As a French resident, I can help you.
Luckily, Paris and the rest of France have an excellent network of high-speed trains, so you can simply hop on one and take a day trip from Paris. Make sure you book your tickets online in advance to get the best prices, but above all, make sure you head to the right station (Paris has 6)!
That being said, keep in mind that you’ll get a better experience in many of these places if you stay the night — and lodging is probably less expensive than in Paris too.
If you’re looking for a day trip from Paris, here are 6 destinations to consider.
1. Versailles
Versailles is one of Paris’ most famous attractions, even though it’s not actually in Paris. This enormous palace was built for the French King Louis XIV and is absolutely impressive.
It’s vast and glittering with gold leaf and ornate detail everywhere you look. Expect lots of velvet and silk, and the famous Hall of Mirrors is as incredible as everyone says it is. It’s the kind of place where photos simply don’t do justice. There is a fantastic self-guided tour of the house and some of the many gardens.
Since you’ll want to visit the palace, the gardens, and some of the smaller buildings around, as well as spend time in the nearby museums and galleries, it’s a full-day trip, even though it’s very close to Paris. How to get there: 30 minutes from Montparnasse train station or 40 minutes on RER line C. Driving takes over an hour from downtown Paris.
2. Giverny
Giverny was the home of the artist Monet and the inspiration for some of his famous paintings. You can explore his house, workshop, studio, and gardens. During the house tour, you’ll recognize things from his work. The light and stunning colors throughout the house will also charm you as soon as you set foot there.
But it’s the gardens that really steal the show. Monet’s gardens are divided into 2 parts: a flower garden, known as the Clos Normand, and a Japanese-inspired water garden. It really feels as if you’ve just stepped into a painting. Even if you don’t like art, it’s a worthwhile visit just to breathe in the scent of the flowers and enjoy the serenity of the place — after all the dodgy smells and noise of Paris!
The nearby town is also delightful and is a nice little place to explore on foot to enjoy the French countryside.
How to get there: 50-minute train ride from Gare Saint-Lazare, around the same time driving.
3. Chantilly
Discover life in a small French village by jumping on a train to Chantilly. This adorable village looks like every postcard you’ve ever seen of a small French town, with beautiful old houses squashed together by a river.
It’s a joy to walk around and visit the independent boutiques, where you might find a souvenir of Chantilly lace!
Of course, as this is the home of Chantilly cream, you must leave yourself a little room after lunch for dessert. There are plenty of freshly baked cakes and sweet treats, and all of them come with the famous, delicious whipped cream.
However, the greatest attraction of Chantilly is that it boasts one of the most beautiful chateaux in France. The gardens are so vast that you can explore them on board a small train and we recommend you do. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see everything.
There are also huge stables to visit, as Chantilly is one of France’s most important equestrian regions. The Great Stables are home to almost 250 horses and more than 500 hounds, and they perform shows and hunts daily.
How to get there: The train from Gare Du Nord takes 25-30 minutes, and by car, it takes 40 minutes.
4. Metz
The gothic city of Metz is a stark contrast to Paris’s light and bright buildings. The huge, chunky castle and town walls are incredible, as is the magnificent cathedral.
Metz sits on the border of Germany and Luxembourg, and is not far from Belgium, which gives it some unusual influences that make it look like another country. The buildings are slightly different, and the food has foreign influences, too. It’s a really great place to explore if you want to see another facet of France.
You can visit the rich Gallo-Roman, medieval, and fine art collections at La Cour d’Or museum or discover the Centre Pompidou-Metz if you are more into modern and contemporary art. The city also has a historic 18th-century neighborhood, some beautiful parks, and an amazing riverfront walk. Although it’s a city, you feel more like you’re in a big village and is refreshingly cool and open compared to Paris.
How to get there: The train journey from Gare de l’Est takes only 1 hour and 25 minutes, whereas by car, it would take over 3 hours.
5. Reims
Reims is an excellent day trip from Paris because it’s so close you can really spend the whole day there.
It has the most beautiful old city center, with huge squares lined with little charming cafes with tables on the pavements. The Reims Cathedral, 1 of France’s 52 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is particularly amazing because it was the coronation place for all the French kings.
Another excellent reason to visit the town is that it is the capital of the Champagne region, and all the major Champagne houses have their headquarters here. You can taste this refined liquid with its delicate bubbles as well as various wines, and even visit vineyards.
Reims also has over 250 km of underground tunnels and caves to explore. You can also visit the exact spot where France surrendered to Germany during WWII and explore the museum to learn all the details about this event that changed the face of the world.
How to get there: Trains from Gare de l’Est take 45 minutes or 1 hour, depending on the route, while by car, it takes around 1 hour and a half.
6. Brussels
Believe it or not, you can take a day trip to Belgium from Paris! The 2 capitals are linked by a high-speed train. If you’re craving fries, waffles, and beer (all Belgian specialties), head for Brussels!
The center of Brussels is a beautiful old town, perfect for exploring on foot. With great shops, traditional architecture, and several UNESCO sites, you’ll have a full day’s worth of things to do. There are many great museums, such as the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Atomium, dramatic churches like the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, as well as the Royal Palace and the EU Parliament building.
As you explore, it’s really interesting to see the similarities and differences between Paris and Brussels and enjoy the influence of the Dutch in Belgium.
How to get there: An hour and a half by train from the Gare de l’Est or a 3-hour drive by car.
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Summary
Escape the hustle and bustle of Paris with exciting day trips. Visit the charming town of Giverny to see Monet’s gardens, wander in the grand Palace of Versailles, explore the impressive museums of Metz, and more. Each destination offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty for a refreshing and memorable getaway.
What would you like to know about day trips from Paris? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Paris, France (photo credit: Unsplash+)
