10 Unusual Day Trips from Paris

Paris – Jardin d’Acclimatation – Galloping Horses Attraction- Romainbehar-Wikimedia Commons

10 Unusual Day Trips from Paris

Paris, the city of lights is arguably the most renowned place on earth and an interesting city to explore. It is a location unlike any other on the earth with its alluring traits and charms. Paris makes it so simple to fall in love. One reason is that those less-visited arrondissements have historic cobblestone walkways and adorable tiny cafes that will make anyone feel at home in Paris. Another is that there are countless things to see and do in Paris. It is not surprising that so many tourists never consider leaving Paris. It’s far too simple to fill your days with activities in Paris, from shopping to sightseeing to gastronomy excursions. Your Paris schedule will be so much more memorable if you take one or two-day trips from Paris.

Why do people go on day visits to Paris?

Even though Paris is a charming city, being in the countryside is an entirely different experience. France is a stunning nation. It has stunning beauty, a vibrant culture, and a remarkable history that is virtually tangible. Within an hour or two of the city are some of France’s top tourist attractions. Paris is a city with good connections. It serves as a fantastic starting point for experiencing most of the country, as seen by the hundreds of firms that provide day trips from there. There are several benefits to staying put throughout your trip.

How to plan day trips from Paris

Choosing between an independent trip and a tour is one of the most frequent decisions people have to make. Well, that entirely depends on your mode of transportation and how far you are traveling. In essence, your choices are:

.Public transportation (bus, train)>This is the least expensive choice for individuals on a tight budget. The drawback is that getting where you’re going frequently requires more time.

.Rental car>This can be a wise decision, especially if you’re going on a trip with others. Renting a car gives you the most freedom because you can stop whenever you want and go wherever you want. But there are drawbacks as well. Driving can be exhausting, particularly if you don’t know the route, and parking spaces might be difficult to come by.

.Organized tours>There are countless fantastic day activities that depart from Paris, ranging from individualized personalized guided excursions to massive bus excursions. This may be the least expensive choice when petrol, insurance, tolls, admission tickets, and time are taken into account.

When we travel, we take a lot of private tours. We like having someone who can respond to our inquiries and draw our attention to details that we may otherwise overlook. Additionally, they deal with inconveniences like transportation, hours of operation, ticket purchases, locating a nice lunch spot, etc. All you have to do is relax and take it all in.

How to Prepare for a Day Trip from Paris

Unusual Day trips from Paris

Here are some of the top lesser-known day trips you can do from Paris. 

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Vaux le Vicomte b-by Jebulon-Wikimedia Commons

A day excursion to Château Vaux-le-Vicomte, which is situated in the surrounding Île-de-France region, is strongly advised by A World to Travel. It is a must-see monument for all fans of French history, with elegant buildings, meticulously maintained French gardens that have been imitated ever since, historical clothing and artworks, and the comparatively tranquil existence of the countryside nobility.

Nicolas Fouquet commissioned Louis Le Vau, the King’s Principal Architect, to design and build the castle in 1653, and it was influenced by both Italian and classical architecture. This magnificent work from the 17th century is ideal for a half-day or full-day visit from the French capital.

How to get to Château Vaux-le-Vicomte from Paris: Most people travel to Melun by train from Chatelet Les Halles (1 hour). From there, it takes 15 minutes to go to Vaux-le-Vicomte by cab or Uber.

practical information

address:77950 Maincy, France

opening hours:sat-thur; 11 am-5:30 pm/sat; 11 am-6 pm (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Suggested Tour:Fontainebleau & Vaux-le-Vicomte Châteaux Day Tour from Paris

Mont Saint-Michel

According to legend, Mont Saint-Michel was founded in 709 when the Archangel Michael appeared to a bishop and instructed him to erect and dedicate a church there. The island commune expanded and prospered over the years, and a community sprang up around the church, which eventually became an abbey. One of the most beautiful places you may see in all of France is Saint Michael’s Mount. The entire island, especially the Romanesque-Gothic abbey at the top, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is unquestionably worth visiting. Years ago, it was essentially an island during high tide.

It can be a stunning sight to witness the tide quickly cover the road leading to the island, even if nature has mostly filled up the gap over the years. After paying the entrance fee, you will be taken to the tiny settlement where a cobblestone walkway leads directly to the abbey on top of the island of Mont Saint Michel, which is still walled. Although the ascent is difficult, there are several spots to pause along the way. When you get to the top, you’ll see how beautiful the abbey is. This magnificent piece of architecture was first constructed in the early 8th century CE and afterward expanded upon.

How to travel from Paris to Mont St. Michel: Take the TGV to Rennes, where Keolis buses depart for Mont St. Michel up to four times per day.

practical information

Suggested Tour: Mont-Saint-Michel Day Trip from Paris

Chateau de Chantilly

Château Chantilly 1-by Jebulon-Wikimedia Commons

Visit Chateau de Chantilly, a magnificent French chateau around 50 kilometers north of Paris. It receives far fewer visitors than Versailles in the south, which is also easily accessible while being close to the city. This makes it a peaceful location to take in the magnificence of this 16th-century castle and the French landscape. The Chantilly fairytale castle was initially constructed for the Montmorency family. Between 1875 and 1882, Henri d’Orléans completely restored the building, transforming it into what it is now. This charming structure is located in incredibly lovely surroundings, with well-kept gardens, lakes, and walks making it the ideal place to pass a few hours in the sun.

In addition to its beautiful surroundings, the historic Domaine de Chantilly is a center for cultural heritage, hosting exhibitions, performances, events, and more at the Chateau all year long. There is something for everyone at Chateau de Chantilly, whether you’re interested in historical books, equestrian shows, or works of art.

How to get to Chateau de Chantilly from Paris: The 30-minute train ride from Paris to Chateau de Chantilly makes the destination a simple day trip. At Gare du Nord, board a train and travel north to Chantilly-Gouvieux station. You only need to walk for 15 minutes to get to the château proper from here. There are numerous signs along the way to make sure you don’t get lost or sidetracked while you walk past the area’s natural splendor.

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practica information

address: 60500 Chantilly, France

opening hours:wed-mon; 10 am-6 pm

phone:+33 3 44 27 31 80

Senlis

Senlis – general view 003-by Neuf & 9-Wikimedia Commons

After visiting the magnificent Château de Chantilly, continue your journey to Senlis, a charming village that is only 10 minutes away from Chantilly by bus. Senlis is among the most picturesque medieval towns close to Paris. The center of this adorable small town still has its original medieval layout, and Elisa at World in Paris says it’s a wonder to get lost in its cobblestone streets and timbered cottages. The beautiful cathedral of Senlis, which is well worth a quick visit, served as the center of activity in this medieval town. One of the most stunning medieval villages close to Paris is Senlis. 

How to get to Senlis from Paris in a single day: It is relatively simple to go by rail from Paris to Chantilly in a single day. Take the train from Chantilly-Gouvieux train station to Gare du Nord train station (30 min, hourly) then travel bus number 15 to Senlis (20 min ride every 30 min).

practical information

address: 60300 Senlis, France

Fontainebleau

You usually envision wines, chateaus, or art museums when you consider day getaways from Paris; what about forests and outdoor pursuits? Only a 45-minute train ride from Paris, Fontainebleau offers a plethora of intriguing choices. If you want to get away from the city and into the great outdoors, this area is known for its enormous, untamed, and dense forest. Another reason Fontainebleau is well-known is that it is one of the top climbing locations on earth. If climbing isn’t your thing, there are lots of lovely hiking paths that will take you through little towns, deep into the woods, and scrambling over rocks and boulders instead. 

How to travel from Paris to Fontainebleau: Take a train from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon station to travel to Fontainebleau from Paris. The trip takes between 40 and 45 minutes.

practical information

address:40 Rue Grande 77300 FONTAINEBLEAU France.

phone:+33 1 60 74 64 64

suggested tour: Fontainebleau & Vaux-le-Vicomte Châteaux Day Tour from Paris

Giverny

Giverny the painter’s house and gardens (1)-by Pierre André Leclercq-Wikimedia Commons

Giverny is most known for being the home and garden of Claude Monet. The impressionist painter frequently depicted landscapes from his gardens in addition to those from the home where he spent more than 40 years. The lower wet garden, which has the well-known lily ponds covered in weeping willows, and the dry top Norman Wall (Clos Normand) garden are two distinct sections of Monet’s gardens. His most famous paintings are actually brought to life by the lily garden. The dry garden blooms at specific times during the spring, summer, and early fall, so depending on when you visit, you’ll see various flowers. Another famous scene from his paintings is the path of arches lined with flowering vines that leads to his residence. 

How to get to Giverny from Paris: It’s about 80km from Paris. From Paris Saint Lazare Station, a train takes 40 minutes to get there, and then there is a shuttle bus that connects trains (another 20 minutes; 10 euros). Another option is to take a taxi to or from the station.

practical information

address:99 rue Claude Monet, Giverny France

opening hours:10am to 6 pm

suggested tour: Giverny and Monet’s Garden

 Chartres Cathedral

Chartres-Cathedral-by MathKnight-Wikimedia Commons

One of the most well-known cathedrals in all of France, Chartres Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It’s simple to get there from Paris and ought to be at the top of your list of day trips you should take from the city. The 13th-century cathedral has been referred to as the “high point of French Gothic art” and it’s amazingly well-kept even after 700 years. Most of the original stained-glass windows are still in place. Additionally, it is decorated with hundreds of sculptures, both inside and outside. For stunning views of the town and its surrounds, ascend to the top of the north tower if you’re fortunate enough to visit on a clear day. If you squint just right, you might be able to see the Eiffel Tower from here.

Although the cathedral is without a doubt the most popular attraction in Chartres, the rest of the city is also worth visiting. Visit the half-timbered homes with vibrant flowers in the windows as you stroll the streets. There are a few eateries dotted around the city that provide traditional French cuisine. 

How to travel from Paris to Chartres: Take a train from Paris’ Montparnasse station to get here. They are regular and arrive in Chartres in just over an hour. Each way, a second-class ticket costs 16 euros.

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practical information

address:16 Cloître Notre Dame, 28000 Chartres, France

opening hours:mon-sat; 10 am–12:30 pm, 2–7:30 pm/sun;2-7:30 pm

Phone: +33 2 37 21 59 08

Étretat

Explore Étretat, a tiny city in France’s Normandy region in the northwest. It is claimed to be the ideal day trip to get away from the city and enjoy some fresh air because the area is known for its impressive chalk cliffs, natural arches, rocky beaches, and charming rural homes. The ideal area to go hiking or watch the seaside sunset is in Étretat. Here are some areas in Étretat that you could visit in a day to experience the best of it: The most well-known and iconic cliff in Étretat is La Falaise d’Aval, and among the most recognizable arches is La Manneporte.

The narrowest arch in Etretat is known as La Falaise d’Amont. The little church that sits atop this arch is highly known. A good place to eat seafood is in Etretat. In the downtown area, there are many restaurants serving cuisine from the region.

How to get to Étretat from Paris: The quickest way to go to Étretat is through public transit. Flixbus provides direct buses from Paris to Etretat during the season. You can also travel by train to Le Havre and then travel to Étretat by local bus from there.

Normandy beaches

Normandy landing beaches (48011780647)-by Mike McBey-Wikimedia Commons

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A highly stormy and violent history, and one that is quite recent, may be found in one of France’s most stunning sites Normandy beaches. The allied American, British, and Canadian forces landed on the 60-mile fortified expanses of Normandy’s beaches on June 6, 1944, in what has been dubbed one of the bloodiest assaults in history. Many of the ancient, abandoned bunkers that the Nazis had built as defenses along the sea can still be explored, as can the locations where the men first landed. There are still some additional battle scars, but happily, the beaches now are just as peaceful and tranquil as they were before the war.

How to get to Normandy beaches from Paris: Less than a two-hour drive separates Honfleur from Paris. Furthermore, it’s a lovely multi-day excursion.

practical information

suggested tour: Paris to Normandy Full Day Beaches Tour

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, one of France’s oldest and most significant regions, is a charming locale that looks like it sprang out of a fairy tale. The entire valley is a simple location for photographers looking to take classic postage stamp photographs because of its unmatched natural and surreal beauty, lush vineyards, and beautiful chateaux. The Loire Valley has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, not so much for its outstanding beauty as for its numerous medieval towns and villages, magnificent architectural landmarks (the châteaux), and centuries-old agricultural areas. The area has a lengthy history. The Loire River, the greatest river in France, served as the area’s primary transit route for a considerable amount of time.

This boosted the value of the area over time, and countless noblemen with wealth and clout constructed magnificent castles and chateaux along the river’s banks and nearby. Many of these castles are now accessible to the public, allowing you to peruse their elaborate interiors, scale their towers, and stroll through their lovely gardens. Don’t forget about the superb wines made in the Loire Valley! France’s Loire Valley is a huge wine-growing region, home to various grape varietals, from Chenin blanc to Sancerre.

How to get to the Loire Valley from Paris: From the Montparnasse train station, take the express train to Tours. Less than 90 minutes pass during the travel. Naturally, there are also a ton of Loire valley trips departing from Paris to accommodate any interest.

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practical information

suggested tours: Loire Valley Castles Tour from Paris

Our list just touches the surface of all the possible day trips from Paris. However, you must begin somewhere, and all of these come highly recommended. Here are some further suggested tours.