If you’re visiting Paris and want to escape the city for a day, you’re in for a treat! The surrounding region is full of charming towns, historic sites, and natural beauty, all within a short distance of the French capital. There are plenty of day trips from Paris that offer a refreshing change of pace. From the grandeur of Versailles to the artistic haven of Giverny, each destination reveals a different facet of France’s rich history and culture.
Transportation Around France
Train travel in France is relatively easy and fast, thanks to its efficient network. The TGV (high-speed trains) connects major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Regional trains, or TER, link smaller towns and are ideal for exploring regions like Provence, Normandy, and the Loire Valley. Mid-range Intercités trains cover intercity routes not served by the TGV, offering comfort at a slower pace and lower cost.
International high-speed options include Eurostar to London and Thalys to Belgium and Germany.
For many of the day trips from Paris listed below, you will mostly be using the TGV or TER. To book trains, I recommend booking through SNCF, the website for France’s national railway company. No matter where you’re going, I recommend booking tickets early; the earlier you book, the cheaper tickets will be!
7 Best Day Trips From Paris
#1 Mont Saint Michel
Located off the coast of Normandy, Mont Saint Michel is a stunning medieval abbey perched on a small rocky island. Visitors can explore the winding medieval streets, quaint shops, and eateries leading up to the abbey, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding bay.
Mont Saint Michel was once a pilgrimage site and fortress. The unique tidal changes, where the sea dramatically retreats, expose the surrounding sandbank around this island fortress, offering views that are unique to Mont Saint Michel alone. One of the best and most famous day trips from Paris is a trip to Mont Saint Michel!
Did you know? Mont Saint Michel inspired the kingdom of Corona in Disney’s Tangled (2010). Mont Saint Michel, with its dramatic tides and towering abbey, served as the visual reference for Rapunzel’s homeland. While Mont Saint-Michel is not featured directly, its influence is unmistakable. Similar to Mont Saint Michel, the movie’s castle is perched on an island with winding streets and dramatic landscapes.
Pro tip: Despite being a popular day trip from Paris, I wouldn’t say Mont Saint Michel is necessarily easy to travel to via public transportation. We drove to Mont Saint Michel, but I’ve also seen plenty of people book a guided tour that provides transportation. This option from Viator as well as this tour from GetYourGuide are popular options. Both tours also include entrances to the abbey!
#2 Giverny for Monet’s Gardens
Giverny, just an hour from Paris, makes a perfect day trip for art and nature lovers. This charming village is home to Claude Monet’s house and the iconic garden that inspired many famous paintings. In Giverny, you can walk through the vibrant flowerbeds and the peaceful water lily pond that inspired Monet’s Water Lily series.
The garden is divided into two areas: the Clos Normand, filled with colorful flowers, and the Water Garden, where you’ll find the famous Japanese bridge and serene pond featured in Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies.
A visit to Giverny offers more than just beauty; it’s a glimpse into the world of an art legend. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Monet’s garden in Giverny is a must-see, offering a serene, picturesque experience just outside of Paris.
Tickets to the gardens cost about $13 a person, but I recommend booking a walking tour to get the most out of your visit. This tour on Viator for $61 is a great option, and allows you to skip the line!
Pro tip: the Gardens of Giverny are, well, gardens, so you’ll want to visit during the spring or summer when the flowers are in full bloom. Generally, the best time of year to see the gardens is between April and June.
#3 Château de Vaux le Victome – the Perfect Day Trip for the Holidays
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a stunning baroque masterpiece located in Maincy, near Paris. Built in the mid-17th century for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s finance minister, it was designed by a trio of legendary artists: architect Louis Le Vau, landscape designer André Le Nôtre, and painter Charles Le Brun. The château’s grand design, with its harmonious architecture, lavish interiors, and exquisite gardens, deeply impressed Louis XIV, eventually inspiring the construction of the Palace of Versailles.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is one of my favorite day trips from Paris, particularly during the holiday season. The castle goes all out for decorations and even has an impressive light show projected onto the back wall of the castle once the sun sets. I’ve written a whole separate blog for how to visit Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, where you can read in detail my favorite parts about visiting this hidden gem!
#4 Étretat
Visiting Étretat is a must for lovers of natural beauty and stunning coastal landscapes. Famous for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and natural arches, this picturesque town on the Normandy coast offers breathtaking views of the English Channel. Étretat’s charm goes beyond nature, with its quaint village atmosphere, rich history, and ties to artists like Monet and writers like Maupassant, making it an ideal destination for any traveler seeking inspiration and tranquility.
If you go to Étretat, I recommend visiting the Jardins d’Etretat, a neo-futuristic garden that features 7 striking face sculptures by the Spanish artist Samuel Salcedo. Not only are the gardens beautiful to walk through, but you get a beautiful view of the coast as well! Tickets to the garden cost ~€12.50 per adult, with high-season pricing increasing to €14 from July 13 to August 28.
Another great activity in Étretat is taking a boat tour of the coast and seeing the cliffs up close. We booked directly through La Mer Pour Tous, but fair warning — this tour is in French! Interestingly, there doesn’t seem to be many boat tours readily available in English. I’m sure if you emailed and asked them, they may have a few tour guides who could do the visit in English.
You can spend a day or an entire weekend in Étretat — I’ve seen people do both, though personally I would opt for a full weekend. Regardless of the length of your visit, Étretat makes for an amazing trip (and dare I say, escape) from Paris, especially during the summer. By train, Étretat is only about a 2-hour ride from Paris.
#5 Versailles
Versailles, located just 30 minutes from Paris, is a must-see for anyone interested in French history. Honestly, Versailles is probably THE day trip you need to do if you’re visiting Paris for the first time. Once home to kings and queens like Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette, Versailles is France’s architectural masterpiece, showcasing the opulence of the once-powerful French monarchy. From the glittering Hall of Mirrors to the lavish royal apartments, every corner of the palace is filled with stunning details.
Beyond the palace, the expansive gardens are equally impressive. Designed by famed landscape architect André Le Nôtre (who also helped to design Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte), the gardens of Versailles feature immaculate lawns, ornate fountains, and beautiful sculptures, perfect for a relaxing stroll.
It’s also worth making time for Marie Antoinette’s private village, which is also tucked away in the grounds of Versailles. Formally known as the Queen’s Hamlet, or Le Hameau de la Reine in French, this rustic, picturesque village was created as her private retreat to escape court life. There are rumours that her and her court used to dress like peasants and parade around this fake village, pretending to be poor. There is no real evidence of this, though it was a fun “fact” I kept in the back of my mind when I visited!
Pro tip: Versailles is massive and so full of history that I think purchasing a guided tour is more than worth it. Depending on what you’re interested in seeing, below are a few good guided tour options:
- Versailles: Skip-the-Line Guided Palace Tour and Full Access (1.5 hours, $80) – my recommended choice for first timers!
- Includes guided tour of the palace (1.5 hours), access to the palace gardens and Marie Antoinette’s Estate. You will meet in front of the palace.
- From Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens Guided Experience (6 hours, ~$55) – for a garden tour
- This tour focuses on the gardens vs. the palace itself. The guided tour of the gardens is about 2 hours, and then you’ll have two hours to explore the palace on your own. Access to Marie Antoinette’s Estate is not included.
- This tour meets in Paris where the guide will lead you through public transportation to the palace.
- Versailles: Skip-the-Line Tour of Palace with Gardens Access (1.5 hours, ~$100) 0 – for a guided tour of palace and gardens
- I would opt for the Tour in English with a Guided Tour of the Gardens option so that you have both a guided tour of the palace AND the gardens! This option does not include access to Marie Antoinette’s estate.
- You’ll meet at a GetYourGuide shop close to the palace.
- Versailles Palace Bike Tour with Market & Marie-Antoinette hamlet (8 hours, $125) – for a focus on Marie Antoinette’s estate + Gardens of Versailles + larger Versailles grounds
- No guided tour inside the palace, but you’ll get a guided walking tour of Marie Antoinette’s estate and a larger guided biking tour of the Versailles grounds (including the gardens) — which you likely wouldn’t cover on foot alone. You’ll also be able to stop at the Versailles Farmer’s Market and pick up food for a small picnic mid tour.
- You’ll be able to self-tour the palace at the end of the tour for as long as you’d like.
Note: don’t book an expensive tour (like this one!) that includes transportation! It is super easy to get to Versailles via train, and there’s no need to pay a premium price just for a tour to pick you up if you don’t need it.
#6 Loire Valley Castles
A day trip to pretty much any Loire Valley castle offers yet another glimpse into France’s rich history and architecture. The Loire Valley, often referred to as the “Garden of France,” is home to over 300 castles, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s the perfect day trip from Paris for those who have already visited Paris a few times and have seen the other main day trip attractions, like Mont Saint Michel and Versailles. Below are my 3 favorite castles of the region + my recommendations for a day trip from Paris!
The Château de Chambord, one of the largest and most recognizable castles, is a must-see. Its unique Renaissance architecture, with a distinctive double-helix staircase believed to be inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, is a highlight. The surrounding forests and wildlife reserve add to the allure, making it a symbol of French royalty’s grandeur.
Château de Chenonceau, known as the “Ladies’ Castle” for its association with powerful women like Catherine de’ Medici, is one of the most romantic castles in the region. Its elegant design stretches over the River Cher, and its lush gardens offer an idyllic setting for a stroll.
Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise is famous for being the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent his final years. The Renaissance manor houses fascinating exhibits on Da Vinci’s inventions, with beautiful gardens inspired by his designs. As Da Vinci was way ahead of his time, many of his inventions were never actually built due to a lack of resources. Chateau du Clos Lucé features 40 models of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions brought to life, including concepts for a helicopter, airplane, parachute, tank, machine gun, swing-bridge, self-propelled vehicle, and even a telephone.
Taking a day trip to the Loire Valley allows visitors to immerse themselves in centuries of French history, art, and culture. Whether you’re drawn to grand palaces or intimate, fairytale-like estates, the Loire Valley offers an unforgettable experience that should be on every traveler’s list.
#7 Disneyland Paris
Is it surprising that Disneyland Paris is on my top day trips from Paris list? Even for non-Disney fans, I think visiting Disneyland Paris at least once is a good experience.
Disneyland Paris is the 2nd Disney theme park created outside of the US, after Disneyland Tokyo. There are technically two parks within Disneyland Paris: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios. You can easily explore both in one day, and I’d recommend buying tickets that include access to both parks. Walt Disney Studios has more “thrilling” (as thrilling as a Disney ride can be) rides, so if you’re into rollercoasters, this park would be more interesting for you.
Disneyland Paris is also home to Sleeping Beauty’s castle, where an animatronic dragon lies below. This was unfortunately closed when I visited in 2024, so I never got to actually experience the dragon’s lair.
You can buy tickets to Disnleyland Paris directly on the Disneyland Paris site. Prices vary depending on the season and day you visit, and can cost anywhere from $93 to $136. You also have the choice of visiting one or both parks — but since you’re there already, I’d recommend visiting both parks to get the full experience!
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