I love Paris and could happily spend weeks there just seeing every corner of the city, but there are so many amazing places in France to visit that can easily be done with a few day trips from Paris!
From historical beaches to royal residences, there’s no shortage of cool regions to explore and it’s worth taking a day away from Paris to check them off your travel bucket list. Some of these day trips can be self-guided and are just a train ride away, and some are better off coordinated with an organized tour.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and want to know your best day trip destinations, here are our picks!
Top 8 day trips from Paris
1. Versailles
Versailles is simply a must-do day trip from Paris! Tour the grand estate of France’s royal family and delight in the delicate details that have been preserved or restored to their former glory. Stroll down the Hall of Mirrors, see their impressive bedrooms, and take a walk in the gardens – hopefully you’re visiting in summer when the fountains are running, though you will need a ticket for the fountain show (it’s only 7€) more, if they’re not running entry to the gardens is included. The estate is a photographer’s dream, and you can’t help but feel like a Queen or King of France as you walk through the palatial castle.
You may even want to add time to your visit to tour Trianon or the stables, but the palace alone is worth the visit – just be sure not to head out on a Monday as it’s closed. Tickets start at 20€, and it’s recommended you opt for the timed entry ticket.
There are three train stations in Versailles and getting there from Paris is pretty simple. Your best bet is to get off at the station Versaille Château Rive Gauche, which is closest to the palace.
2. Normandy
Walk through history as you visit the iconic Normandy beaches of D-Day. There are five beaches, with most Americans knowing Utah and Omaha as that’s where we landed, but there are also the Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches for our Canadian and British friends. See bunkers and other Wartime remains at the beaches and take a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers from America, Britain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Poland, and even Australia.
In January 2018, the French Ministry of Culture shared that the landing beaches are up for candidacy with UNESCO to be included in the World Heritage Sites.
It’s a very moving site and one that any history buff will want to visit. There are a variety of tour options from Paris so you don’t have to worry about transportation or missing any interesting commentary. Paris City Vision tours offer a one-day trip from Paris to the D-Day beaches and include lunch for about 179€, but they often run specials on their website for a more affordable Normandy tour rate!
On June 6, 2019, Normandy will be honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Join the festivities that are focused on celebrating liberty, pease, and reconciliation.
While in the Normandy region, if possible, make an extra stop to Mont-Saint Michel! It was originally built as an abbey in the 700s but was outfitted to be a fortress later in its life and achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in the ‘70s. This unique site is on an island and is a must-see when down in this area.
3. Thoiry Zoo
About 50 km, or 30 miles, from Paris lies the Thoiry Zoo, which lets you go on safari in France. See giraffes, lions, cheetahs, warthogs, and another 700+ animals in this 150-hectare park and reserve on a bush truck drive. This isn’t your typical day trip from Paris!
The park is also home to the 1559 Château de Thoiry and its gardens that are designed around the sun’s movements and the seasons. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience in France, and is fun for travelers of all ages.
Tickets are 28€ for adults and the zoo and safari is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
4. Château de Chantilly
Another day trip that’s only 50 km, 30 miles, from Paris is visiting Château de Chantilly! Tour the chateau, gardens, museum, and catch an incredible equestrian show while there. The gardens are similar to the ones at the Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild as they all have different themes, like the English garden and the Anglo-Chinese garden that spread out over 115 hectares.
The art galleries are known to have the second largest collection of antique paintings – after the Louvre! The chateau is essentially a work of art itself and was built for Henri d’Orleans, the son of the last King of France. It’s a quick, easy day trip from Paris and another option if you want to indulge in the royal side of France’s history.
5. Orleans
Instead of New Orleans, go with the original and visit Orleans, 135 km from Paris, or about 84 miles. This modern city has plenty to offer day trippers with its Cathedral Sainte-Croix, built between 1601 and 1829, the Musée Mémorial des enfants du Vel d’Hiv, sharing the stories and history of the concentration camps of Pithiviers and Beaune-la-Rolande and the Jargeau camp that interned gypsies. You’ll also want to enjoy a breath of fresh air in the Parc Floral de la Source – and maybe see some butterflies – and learn more about Joan of Arc and how she saved Orleans from the English in 1429.
Orleans is in the Loire region, meaning you may want to save time for a wine tasting or at least plan a meal or two during your day trip to sample some exquisite French wine from this popular winemaking region.
It’s easy to get to Orleans from Paris on the Intercite trains, with about an hour-long train ride. You could drive on the A10 but it’ll be about an hour and 40 minutes.
6. Rouen
Full of history and charm, and the site where Joan of Arc was burned alive in 1431. Rouen is also home to the Cathedral Notre-Dame-de Rouen, built between 1030 and 1145, Château de Bouvreuil, Rouen’s castle and fortress, and a beautiful botanic garden. Get lost in the colorful streets, marvel at the impressive architecture, especially in Old Town, and pop into one of the city’s many museums. You can also stop at one of the markets for a fresh snack and tasty treat and take it to the gardens and make a picnic lunch.
Take an Intercite train and in under an hour and a half you’ll have left Paris behind and find yourself being welcomed to Rouen!
7. Château de Chambord
It’s not a glitch in the Matrix, if you grew up watching Disney movies you’ll probably feel like Chateau de Chambord is familiar. It’s known as the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast, and it’s easy to see why as it’s a stunning castle, which even took inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci.
With more than 400 rooms, dungeons, towers, and 80 staircases, you’ll want some time to explore this expansive chateau. It was originally built as a hunting lodge for King Francis I – why a hunting lodge needs that many rooms is beyond me!
Come tour the palace, the gardens, hike the trails, or stop in the vineyard dating back to 1518. English tours of the chateau are offered daily at 11:15 a.m. from the end of June to the end of September.
Tickets to the chateau and grounds is 14,50€.
8. Disneyland Paris
I’m of the mind that Disney isn’t just for kids. Just as Rick, I get super excited when we talk about going back to Orlando to visit his friends and I can run around like a kid at Disney and Universal. It’s definitely touristy but I don’t care, Disney is the happiest place on Earth and it doesn’t matter what continent you’re on.
The Euro version is home to some of the classic attractions we love in the States, live performances, and of course fantastic dining. It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, and other favorite rides from Disney movies are all recreated here.
It takes less than 45 minutes by train or car to get from Paris to Disneyland Paris, meaning you could enjoy the city in the morning and go in the evening when the crowds have thinned and enjoy the Disney Illuminations show!
Now, do you need to plan your time in Paris? Check out our relaxed Paris itinerary for ideas on what to do in the city.
Have you done a day trip from Paris? Tell us all about it in the comments or on Twitter!
