Unforgettable Day Trips From Paris (Some Will Surprise You!)

It’s no secret that a person could spend weeks in Paris and not run out of fascinating, beautiful, and delicious things to experience. It’s one of the reasons I love the city so much and why I chose to become a certified Paris Travel Expert specializing in crafting custom itineraries for travelers.

But here’s something that many travelers don’t consider: the areas surrounding Paris hold so many treasures, as well, and they are surprisingly easy to access. With the right planning, you can enjoy all kinds of adventures — and return to the City of Lights as your home base. 

I want to walk you through three types of day trips from Paris that you can incorporate into your itinerary based on what you want to see, how much time you have, and whether you want guided or independent experiences. 

We’ll start with places that are close to the city and move outward. Some of these day trips from Paris might surprise you — travelers from the US especially often don’t realize how compact Europe is and how easy it is to move between cities, regions, and even countries in just a couple of hours. 

EASY DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

If you’re a fan of Van Gogh and Monet (along with other artists of this era, like Pissaro, Cezanne, and Corot), these two just-outside-the-city stops are a dream come true, offering a look at the countryside and places that feel familiar because you’ve seen them rendered in brushstroke by the hands of these visionary artists.

Giverny  

About 50 miles west of Paris, Giverny is the more popular of the two towns, and is accessible by car, train, or this group tour which leaves from Paris. Once in the town, enjoy a stroll through Claude Monet’s home, his lush gardens with the water lilies that inspired his art — which he cultivated lovingly for the last 40 years of his life — and visit his grave and the nearby Museum of Impressionisms.

Auvers-sur-Oise

Auvers-sur-Oise offers a pastoral, walkable respite from the city, along with a glimpse into the life and death of the troubled genius that was Vincent Van Gogh. Visit the home where Van Gogh lived with his friend and caretaker, Dr. Paul Gachet, and see the room where he died at the Auberge Ravoux. 

From there, walk to Van Gogh’s grave, follow the two walking trails to see 22 signposted locations that provided the real-life inspiration for multiple artist’s works, sample a taste of absinthe, or tour the Château d’Auvers, which offers a beautiful and realistic glimpse of life in the late 1800s. 

If you want to see both Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise in the same day, this small-group tour – or this private version) – is a wonderful option and provides one of the loveliest day trips from Paris (offered seasonally). 

Disneyland Paris

With several direct trains, buses, and shuttles, getting to Disneyland Paris is an easy jaunt and makes for a day full of fun and frivolity with kids. 

The sprawling park is divided into two parks: Disneyland Paris has all the classic rides and a French-speaking Mickey, and Walt Disney Studios offers movie and special-effect attractions and rides that grown-ups will love, as well. 

Chartres 

Situated just 50 miles southwest of Paris, the charming mid-sized town of Chartres is rightly famous for its mind-blowing cathedral, considered one of the finest examples of pure Gothic architecture in the world. Its 167 stained glass windows hover in the dark interior and provide an ethereal, surreal experience of floating light and color. 

Though one could certainly spend an entire day inside the cathedral itself, the town of Chartres with its thriving old town is very walkable and worth exploring, as well. And for a truly magical experience that kids and grown-ups alike will love, don’t miss Chartres en Lumières, a nighttime walking event that illuminates 23 buildings of Chartres with colorful light displays.  

Vaux-le-Vicomte

No one does opulent châteaux like the French, and both Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau deliver the jaw-dropping grandeur, gorgeousness, and lavish style — without the pressing crowds you’ll encounter at Versailles (for help with that, see my blog on the best ways to visit Versailles). On their own or combined, they make my list of must-see day trips from Paris.

Vaux-le-Vicomte was the estate of France’s 26-year-old (!) finance minister Nicolas Fouquet, during the reign of Louis XIV. Built between 1658 and 1661, the estate is a true French architectural marvel: you can see why it became the standard by which future European palaces were created and judged, and why its acres of symmetrical, elegant landscaping sparked the first French formal gardens. 

Like many of the estates of the ultra-wealthy, Vaux-le-Vicomte is not short on drama. Part of the chateau was initially created to flatter King Louis — but apparently, the estate was a bit too dazzling. In a fit of envy, the King was convinced by a competing statesman that Fouquet had bankrolled his palace by misappropriating public funds. The King had Fouquet arrested and imprisoned for life, gave the competing statesman Fouquet’s old job, and then proceeded to poach the three designers of Vaux-le-Vicomte and use the chateau as inspiration for the King’s behemoth estate at Versailles. Battles among the 17th Century elites were no joke!   

Fontainebleau

While not as architecturally uniform, Fontainebleau is no less incredible, and it has the added distinction of having more connections to Napoleon Bonaparte than any other place in France. It also offers a rich look at French history and is included on the Paris Museum Pass, housing the Napoleon I Museum (with all the staggering art, furniture, textiles, dinnerware, and weaponry the emperor enjoyed), a collection of royal apartments, and the only royal throne room that still exists with all its original furniture.  

Rouen

For a relatively quiet city of about 650,000 people, Rouen has much to offer in art, history, and its famous three-spired cathedral, which was built, re-built, and added onto over a period of 800 years and was a favorite subject of Monet. Take in more Monet works at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen (established by Napoleon in 1801), stroll through the marvelous botanical gardens, or visit the startlingly modern Church of St. Joan of Arc, constructed near the same square where the 19-year-old military heroine Joan of Arc was burned at the stake as a heretic in 1431.  

Strasbourg

Nestled at the eastern border that France shares with Germany, Strasbourg is truly a unique city and is well worth an overnight trip of its own. Because of its proximity to Germany, Strasbourg enjoys a beautiful (and delicious!) mix of cultural influences and boasts some of the finest Alsatian cuisine in the region. For a sweeping view of the lush countryside and the charming mixture of French and German architecture of the city, climb to the top of the Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Strasbourg, the tallest medieval building in Europe. 

Especially if you are visiting France during the Holiday season, Strasbourg is one of the day trips from Paris you can’t miss. It’s called the Capital of Christmas for a reason: the city’s famous Christkindlesmarik has been around since 1570, making it one of Europe’s oldest. And with more than 300 outdoor stalls that stretch across the city’s center, it’s also the most popular and one of the largest in all of Europe.   

PRIVATE GUIDE, GUIDED TOUR, OR SELF-DRIVE DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS

As both a frequent traveler and a professional travel planner, I’m a firm believer in knowing when a tour is the way to get the most out of a particular site. Sometimes you just want to dig deeper and not waste time wandering around. 

An expert guide can really bring a place to life and can be the difference between a meh experience and a truly memorable one. The day trips from Paris in this section are experiences I’ve found really benefit from guided or private tours. 

Normandy and the D-Day Beaches, American Cemetery, and Museums

Most people are shocked by how moved they are when they go to visit Normandy and the D-Day Beaches, American Cemetery, and Museums. At about 2.5 hours from Paris, you can take the train to Bayeaux or Caen and have plenty of time to explore. Private and Guided Tours will include a vehicle and commentary, and taxis and car rentals that will allow you to visit the various stops. Tours also depart from Paris. Here are some that I recommend: 

• Guided Small-Group from Bayeaux 
• Guided Small-Group from Paris 
• Private Guided Tour from Bayeux
• Private Guided Tour from Paris

Champagne region (Reims)

The Champagne region (Reims), which is of course famous for its wine, is also a gorgeous drive and a beautiful way to spend a day outside the city. Even though the town is just under 200,000 people, it is still a place of vital historical and economic importance to all of France. It was a major city in the Roman Empire, as well as the original coronation site for all the kings of France. Its Romanesque, Gothic, classical, and Art Deco cathedrals and buildings make it a mini-playground for architecture enthusiasts. 

You can take the train from Paris to Reims – it’ll take less than an hour – to explore the city’s sights and visit a wine cellar. But if you’re going for the Champagne vineyards, you’ll want a guided tour or your own car for driving the Route de la Champagne. This guided small-group tour meets at the Reims train station, and my clients have raved about how wonderful it is. 

Château of the Loire Valley

If exploring the endlessly varied, unique, and breathtakingly opulent corridors of 16th-Century castles is your thing, then a stop in the Loire Valley is a must. 

This region in France is a fertile agricultural area, as well as home to over 1,000 castles (chateaux in French), so you’ll find a marvelous combination of luxurious palatial estates and gardens, mouth-watering cuisine, and delightful wines to sample. 

For a terrific day trip from Paris, consider this group tour includes roundtrip transportation in a luxury coach and 3 châteaux (Chenonceau, Chambord, and Cheverny). Or, for a true VIP experience, strongly consider this Private Tour which includes visits to Chenonceau, Chambord and Clos Lucé, two wine tastings, and private roundtrip transportation from your Paris hotel.

Verdun Battlefields

Less well-known but certainly no less significant are the Verdun Battlefields. The battle here was the longest of the First World War — nearly ten months — and for the country of France especially, this 8-mile stretch has come to represent the tenacity of the French people and is a somber reminder of the extended toll of war.  

You can take public transport to Verdun (it’s only about 40 miles) but will need a car to explore the battlefields. Alternatively, you can drive yourself, take a taxi, or join a private tour.

SUPER (AND UNEXPECTED!) DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS

Though France is the third largest country in Europe, it’s still only about 600 miles from north to south and east to west — about the same distance as from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA. With high-speed trains, it’s not difficult to board a train in Paris and be in another country in an hour or two. 

London

That’s why, if you’re feeling ambitious and want to spend an incredible treat of a day, you can board the Eurostar in central Paris and spend the day in London! Many of my clients do this (London is another city I specialize in planning itineraries for) because it’s a fun way to get a taste of England’s capital. It’s also one heck of a cool day trip from Paris and one of the best city pairings for longer European vacations!

Brussels

If you want to know what authentic Belgian waffle tastes like, just 1.5 hours on the high-speed train (Thalys or Eurostar) will land you in Brussels, where you can experience the expansive Grand Place main square, the  Royal Art and History Museum, or see all the way to Antwerp from the dome of the Art-Deco Basilique Nationale du Sacre-Cœur a Koekelberg — the fifth largest church in the world.  

If you’re really feeling excited about Belgium, it’s only 30 minutes to connect to Ghent or one hour to connect to Bruges. Any of these three Belgian cities are easy to explore within 6-8 hours (you might even be able to fit in two!).

DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS OFFER SO MUCH 

Paris is incredible — but there’s no reason you have to feel confined to city limits. I can help you design a custom itinerary that includes all the sights on your Parisian wish-list, plus a day trip or two (or more!) that will increase your appreciation of this marvelous country and make your vacation one to remember. 

Day trips are the perfect way to get a sense of the larger space around Paris, to explore the countryside, to learn more firsthand about France’s fascinating history, and to immerse yourself in France’s rich and varied culture.