Living in France, just a couple of hours by train south of Paris, I am lucky to have easy access to areas outside of Paris. While I make no bones about Paris being my favourite city in France, nay, the world – France is so much more than Paris. Rural idylls, ancient cities, wine AOCs and incredible diversity await you on these 15 easy day trips from Paris. All accessible within 1.5 hours by public transport from the city centre, if you want to explore beyond the péripherique, here are my suggestions.
15 Easy Day Trips From Paris
Reims – Champagne Country
Travel time: 50 minutes
Train station: Gare de l’Est
Reims (pronounced ‘Ranse’) is in the heart of Champagne country, with famous producers like Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, and Pommery based here. As a day trip from Paris, it offers a great array of sightseeing and activities outwith champagne-drinking, so is great for the whole family.
The magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. It has witnessed the coronation of nearly every French king from the 13th to the 19th century, and has amazing stained-glass windows and an intricate façade.
I recommend lunch at L’Alambic, near Square de la Patte d’Oie. Take a cave tour and tasting at one of the many Champagne houses, or around the vines with a tour.
Épernay
If you want to double up on great Champagne region towns, Épernay is your other option. While it can stand alone as its own day trip, you can do both in one day if you plan ahead. Épernay is a 55 minute train ride from Reims, and there is a direct train back from there to Paris Gare de l’Est. Don’t miss the impressive Avenue de Champagne – lined with prestigious Champagne houses like Moët & Chandon.
Compiègne
Travel time: 1 hour
Train station: Gare du Nord
Located about 80 km north of Paris, Compiègne is in the Oise area of France. It is home to the Château de Compiègne, an elegant palace originally built by Louis XV and expanded by Napoleon Bonaparte as a royal residence. With quaint streets and the most beautiful Hotel de Ville (town hall) overlooking a square with restaurants, it makes a great day trip destination.
One of the town’s key historical sites is the Armistice Clearing in the Forest of Compiègne, where the 1918 armistice at the end of World War I was signed. There is a replica of the train car where the signing took place, and a museum. Bear in mind that this is a taxi ride away or a 2-hour / 6-8 km wander through the Compiègne Forest. You could also take a half-day moped tour.
Chantilly
Travel time: 30 mins
Train station: Gare du Nord
If you want to add another chateau into the mix, Chantilly is on the same train line as Compiègne and you can backtrack from there in around 45 minutes. Or equally, Chantilly can stand alone as a day trip destination from Paris. There is a bus from Chantilly-Gouvieux to the Tourism Office and Château de Chantilly, which takes about 20 minutes. Or you can walk the 3 kms along the tree-lined boulevards in about 30 minutes. The château is a Renaissance masterpiece surrounded by a moat, and houses the Musée Condé, which has an extensive collection of art, manuscripts, and books, including works by Raphael and Delacroix. The train between Chantilly and Gare du Nord is 30 minutes.
Senlis
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Train station: RER D from Gare du Nord + R114 bus from Survilliers Fosses
The gorgeous little town of Senlis is a 15 minute taxi-ride from Chantilly, so you could easily visit on the same day as a Chantilly visit.
Senlis has a significant Roman past, with the remnants of Roman walls and an amphitheatre still visible. The Musée d’Art et d’Archéologie showcases the archaeological finds from the excavations.
Don’t miss the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Senlis, a stunning Gothic cathedral built in the 12th century. Surrounding the cathedral are quaint streets lined with half-timbered houses, small shops, and cafes.
Poitiers
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Train station: Gare Montparnasse
Poitiers is a little bit of a left field suggestion. Not many people have heard of this small city in the Vienne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwest France. Thanks to the TGV high-speed railway line from Paris Montparnasse to Bordeaux, where Poitiers marks the halfway point, the journey to Poitiers only takes 1.5 hours.
We happen to live near Poitiers and love its old centre. From the intricate façade of the Église Notre-Dame la Grande, to the half-timbered houses from the middle ages, and the beautiful Gothic cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Poitiers, it is a great city centre. Take a walking tour to learn all the history!
Don’t miss lunch at Les Archives, the incredible restaurant in a renovated 1850s chapel. The food is as spectacular as the setting!
NB: Buy TGV tickets well in advance to get the best deals (as low as €16 each way if booked ahead of time).
Château de Malmaison
Travel time: 45 minutes
Train station: RER A
Located just 30 mins by bus from La Défense (the business district just outside the Paris ring road), Château de Malmaison is the former home of Napoleon and Joséphine de Beauharnais. Napoleon spent much of his time here planning military campaigns, and Joséphine cultivated her extensive gardens, creating a country haven. Visitors can explore the beautifully restored Empire-style interiors, including Napoleon’s study, Joséphine’s bedroom, and the lavish salons.
Enjoy the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church (where Joséphine is buried), and downtown Rueil-Malmaison for restaurants and shops.
Palace of Versailles
Travel time: 1 hour
Train station: RER C from Gare d’Austerlitz / train from Saint-Lazare
My first visit to Château de Versailles was in 1999. It was a sweltering hot summer’s day in August and the queues were outrageous. A little like our visit to the Vatican in Rome, my memories are of the crowds instead of the beautiful building. Luckily the second time was much quieter (mid-week in winter).
In the early 17th century, the ‘Sun King’ King Louis XIV, turned a modest summer home into the opulent chateau it is today. Adding the Hall of Mirrors, a gilded hall with 357 mirrors lining one wall and 17 windows overlooking the gardens.
The gardens and fountains are amazing, and there is a small tourist train that takes you for a tour around (after all, there are 2,000 acres to explore). The gardens are free to enter between November to March, but during these winter months there aren’t any music or fountain shows.
Pontoise & Auvers-sur-Oise
Travel time: 30-45 minutes
Train station: Saint-Lazare or Gare du Nord
Walk in the footsteps of Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise, and nearby Pontoise. This duo of towns join forces to make a great day trip from Paris.
Make your way to Pontoise first. This charming town on the Oise River, Pontoise was home to Camille Pisarro, one of the founders of Impressionism, in the late 1800s. Things to do in Pontoise include the Musée Camille Pissarro, Saint-Maclou Cathedral, and the Pontoise Catacombs.
Next, hop the H train 15 minutes over to Auvers-sur-Oise, which was the final home of Vincent van Gogh. Visit Auberge Ravoux (the Inn of van Gogh), where his room has been preserved. Van Gogh’s final resting place is at the Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, beside his brother Theo.
The Château d’Auvers provides an immersive exhibit on the history of Impressionism, with multimedia displays exploring the works of van Gogh, Pissarro, Cézanne, and others who painted in the region.
Giverny
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Train station: Saint-Lazare + local bus from Vernon to Giverny
Located about 75 km west of Paris, Giverny is home to Monet’s house and gardens. See the lily scenes from Monet’s most famous paintings for yourself at his wonderfully restored property. Monet lived in Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926. Note, his house gardens and museum are only open April – October, so plan accordingly.
Giverny is a peaceful village with cute stone houses and small cafes. Don’t miss the Church of Sainte-Radegonde, where Monet is buried.
Vernon is worth some time too. Hit Rue Carnot for restaurants and shops – I recommend Bistro des Fleurs for lunch. The fabulously quaint old mill of Vernon, just over the Seine River, is a small but worthwhile detour also.
Château de Fontainebleau
Travel time: 1 hour
Train station: Gare de Lyon + local bus
Located 55 kms southeast of Paris, the Palace of Fontainebleau is one of France’s largest and most historically significant royal palaces. This remarkable hodgepodge of Renaissance, Gothic, and Classical architectural styles was added to over the years by Francis I, Henry IV, Louis XIV, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Highlights include:
- Gallery of Francis I: A stunning Renaissance gallery adorned with frescoes and wood carvings.
- Throne Room: The only surviving throne room in France, decorated during Napoleon’s reign, with the emperor’s throne still in place.
- Ballroom: An impressive hall with painted ceilings, chandeliers, and tapestries, used for court festivities.
- Marie Antoinette’s Apartments: Sumptuously decorated rooms offering a glimpse into that world of opulence.
You could also choose a combination tour taking in Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte. I prefer Fontainebleue to Versailles, as it’s generally less crowded, and offers a similar historical overview. But I do understand why Versailles remains the firm favourite.
Disneyland Paris OR PARC ASTERIX
Disneyland Paris: 40 mins by train from Gare de Lyon to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy
Parc Asterix: 1 hour via BlaBlaCar Bus from Bercy Seine to Plailly
Looking for day trips from Paris for the kids? Disneyland Paris is the most famous of the parks within striking distance of Paris, but it isn’t your only option. Both are great for families, and are easy to get to. I went to Disneyland Paris when I was 19 and had a hilarious moment waiting for a photo opportunity with Minnie Mouse. She clearly had an appointment elsewhere, so all I got was a photo of Minnie running!
Parc Asterix is the alternative theme park near Paris. Based on the beloved French comic series Astérix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. The park opened in 1989 and offers a distinctly French experience, with attractions based on Astérix and Obelix’s adventures in ancient Gaul and their humorous encounters with Romans, Vikings, Egyptians, and other characters.
If it weren’t just a little bit too far away, I would’ve also suggested the amazing Puy de Fou, a theme park in Les Epesses. Puy du Fou is dedicated to immersive, large-scale historical performances rather than rides, recreating epic moments from European history with incredible storytelling, costumes, and special effects.
Provins
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Train station: Gare de l’Est
Provins is an incredibly well-preserved Medieval town 90 kms southeast of Paris. Walk the ramparts, constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, and get great views from the Caesar Keep. If you are visiting in June, try to coordinate with the Medieval Festival, where the town comes alive with parades and reenactments.
The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it really is amazing how you feel transported back in time when visiting Provins. Have lunch at La Croix d’Or, halfway between the train station and old town, or Place du Châtel, on the square surrounded by half-timbered buildings.
Meaux
Travel time: 30 mins
Train station: Gare de l’Est
The battle of French mustard begins in Meaux. While Dijon mustard is all fame and pom-poms, Meaux mustard is the understated OG of the mustard world. This whole grain mustard was invented in the early 1600s (a century before the Dijon version), and remains a regional favourite, despite the limited international fanfare.
Meaux is also famous for its Brie. Stop by a fromagerie on your visit to indulge!
The Museum of the Great War (Musée de la Grande Guerre) is short bus ride from downtown Meaux, and is the world’s largest museum dedicated to World War I.
Lille
I love Lille! This cultural hub of a city is in the far north of France, near Belgium, but is only an hour from Paris thanks to the high speed TGV line. Founded in the c.11th century, Lille was once part of Flanders and has changed hands between France and various European powers over the centuries. This history has left a distinct architectural legacy with Flemish-style buildings, grand squares, and an eclectic mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
I could spend hours at Lille’s Fine Arts Museum. It is the second largest in France after the Louvre, with an extensive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and antiquities, with works by Rubens, Goya, and Delacroix.
Visit for the art, stay for the food. Enjoy yummy meals like moules-frites (mussels and fries), carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef stew), and gaufres (waffles). Lille also has a lively beer culture, with many local breweries and beer bars. Consider a walking tour, which covers a lot of ground on a day trip.
Need advice on where to stay in Paris? Check out my Paris starter guide for beyond the main tourist areas!
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All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
