Fun and Quick Day Trips From Paris

By leah jones

You could spend all your time in Paris and likely never run out of things to do. However, there are so many other beautiful, historic places outside of the iconic city.

Here are some other French cities and landmarks to visit that make great day trips from Paris.

Visiting the Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris that travelers love. Get there in about 30-40 minutes by train (RER C) or car.

Versailles

A couple hours from Paris, you can visit the house of Impressionist painter Claude Monet. There, you'll see the beautiful water lily ponds and gardens that inspired some of his most famous works.

Giverny

40-50 minutes from Paris you can visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, The Château de Fontainebleau. Be sure to check out the area's fairytale-like forests!

Fontainebleau

Reims is the heart of the Champagne region about 45 minutes from Paris by train. Visit the city and tour prestigious houses like Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot.

Reims (Champagne Region)

Chartres is about an hour away from Paris by train. The area is best known for its stunning Gothic cathedral, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chartres

The well-preserved medieval town of Provins is about an hour and 25 minutes from Paris by train. Highlights are the Tour César, the city walls and annual medieval festivals.

Provins

This lavish château in Maincy, France (a little over an hour from Paris by car) was the inspiration for Versailles. It's known for its grand architecture and its candlelit evenings during the summer.

Vaux-le-Vicomte

Rouen, 1.5 hours away from Paris by train, is a historic city with a beautiful Gothic cathedral, medieval half-timbered houses and the location of Joan of Arc's trial and execution.

Rouen

Each of these destinations offers a unique experience and a perfect escape from the city.

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