One could easily fill up a Paris itinerary with all the many attractions the city alone has to offer such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral which is set to reopen its doors to visitors later this year.
But what if you’ve already experienced the many treasures Paris itself has to offer? We thought we’d shine a light on what the City of Light has to offer in terms of exciting day trips.
Get ready to embark on a journey to discover the hidden gems and often overlooked attractions that are just a stone's throw from the French capital. Uncover authentic French culture, natural wonders, and more with these top-day trips from Paris.
While planning your travels in and around Paris, keep in mind that the city is busy getting ready for an exciting event: the Paris Olympics 2024. The Olympics, which will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, promise to be a spectacular display of athletic talent and international camaraderie.
Make sure to mark your calendar with the important Olympic 2024 dates, as the city will be bustling with events and celebrations. For those who are fortunate enough to get Paris Olympics 2024 tickets, the experience will be extraordinary as new Olympic sports will be introduced, such as skateboarding and surfing.
And to ensure your next holiday to the City of Love doesn’t turn into a City of Stress should things not go to plan, don’t forget to consider travel insurance.
Palace of Versailles
Why not start off with an attraction that lures millions of travellers every year? Versailles makes for an easy day trip from Paris being that it’s only about 30 minutes from the city centre. Versailles acted as the Royal residence for notable French monarchs such as Louis XIV and was where the Treaty of Versailles was signed which officially brought an end to WWI.
Lovers of art will be pleased to know the palace houses an extensive collection of art, including paintings, sculptures, and furnishings dating back to the 17th century. Or if you’re looking to get some fresh air and explore the grounds, you could consider renting a boat for a leisurely float around the Grand Canal as you admire the palace from a distance.
Plan your visit during the summer and take advantage of the Musical Fountain Shows that are held. The palace also regularly hosts several other annual events, exhibitions, and special performances throughout the year which only adds to the magic.
And, to ensure you have more time to see everything Versailles has to offer on a day trip, you may want to rent one of their bikes or golf carts to explore the grounds rather than explore it on foot.
Château de Malmaison
Another attraction that is a short distance from Paris is the Château de Malmaison which was the residence of Napoleon Bonaparte. Many viewers were intrigued by the recent Ridley Scott film Napoleon which details the famous emperor’s rise to power and personal life. Visiting Château de Malmaison will allow you to bring the history to life even more through numerous artefacts and furnishings that belonged to Napoleon and his wife Joséphine.
Many of the rooms, such as the library, the music room, and Joséphine’s bedroom, have been meticulously restored to their original grandeur, offering you a chance to observe the lifestyle of the period’s French elite.
Take advantage of the knowledgeable tour guides who can expand upon the recent Napoleon film by providing deeper insights into the personal life of Napoleon and his family. Like Versailles, Château de Malmaison is also home to impressive gardens that can be wandered, and the many plants you’ll see were hand-chosen by Napoleon’s wife Joséphine.
Nearby is Bois-Préau Park which was once part of the extensive estate. The park offers walking paths through more gardens, along with a museum that details Napoleon’s exile and eventual death on Saint Helena Island.
Unlike some of the more famous attractions near Paris such as Versailles, Château de Malmaison is relatively less crowded if you’re after a more relaxing day trip. The château often hosts special exhibitions relating to the Napoleonic era, as well as concerts and historical reenactments.
Provins
Head back to the Middle Ages by visiting the UNESCO-listed town of Provins. Located roughly 80km southeast of Paris, Provins will allow you to roam well-preserved medieval forts, city walls, timbered houses, and streets.
Explore the medieval Caesar Tower which overlooks the town, as well as the gothic 12th-century Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church with its impressive stained-glass windows. Then make your way to the famous rose gardens which display hundreds of different varieties during the summer months. Keep your energy up by sampling some of the famous local Brie de Provins cheese.
This part of the Île-de-France countryside also hosts several medieval fairs and festivals throughout the year, where you’re likely to see locals dressed up in medieval costumes, live jousting tournaments, falconry, ancient crafts, and plenty of music.
Giverny
Now let’s head about an hour northwest of Paris to take in a bit of the picturesque Normandy region. Let us stop at Giverny, to embrace the famous French painter Monet's former residence. Here, you’ll find the beautifully restored house that Monet once lived in, along with some of his personal art collection.
Stroll through the stunning gardens that inspired many of his now-famous paintings, including the colourful water lilies, bridges, and willow trees of the Japanese water garden.
The village offers the chance to take part in various artistic workshops such as watercolour painting, which will give you a chance to return home with your own personally crafted masterpiece. As a bonus, you can also see rather unique work from Monet by visiting the Giverny Church, whose stained-glass windows were designed by Monet.
The village’s historic charm, delicious cuisine, artisanal products, and the chance for romantic walks along the Seine River only add to this peaceful day trip from Paris.
Vexin Français Regional Natural Park
Staying northwest of Paris, we also find the naturally beautiful Vexin Français Regional Natural Park which is one of the few regional parks near Paris. It’s a place of rolling hills, quaint villages that would make for a perfect overnight stay, and plenty of nature to enjoy a bit of hiking in search of wildlife.
While there are several hiking trails and cycling routes in the region, one notable trail that passes through Vexin Français is the long-distance GR1 Trail, spanning 600km from Paris to Fontainebleau.
If you’re not up for hiking, then simply tour the villages to discover ancient churches, castles, and archaeological sites, or book a hot air balloon tour to take in all the sights from above. There are fishing experiences on the region’s lakes and rivers you can book, as well as workshops showcasing traditional local crafts such as pottery, weaving, and woodworking.
Embrace your inner artist even further by following the region’s Impressionist Trail which visits locations painted by artists such as Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro. You can also pay a visit to the village of Auvers-sur-Oise which is where Van Gogh painted during his final years. Many French writers and poets also found inspiration in the natural beauty and ruralness of Vexin Français.
So… who’s packing their bags for France?