Day trips from Paris

Exploring the best day trips from Paris offers travelers a chance to experience the rich culture and stunning landscapes surrounding the French capital. A popular choice is the Palace of Versailles, where opulent architecture and beautiful gardens await.
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What to do in Paris? Experience the allure of Parisian day trips with enchanting destinations like Versailles and Lyon. Just a short journey away, Versailles dazzles with its opulent palace and sprawling gardens, while Lyon beckons with its rich culinary scene and UNESCO-listed old town. These excursions promise to enrich your Parisian adventure with history, culture, and culinary delights, all within easy reach from the bustling heart of Paris.

Top day trips in Paris

Are you planning a visit to Paris? Explore the top day trips from Paris, each offering a unique glimpse into France’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. Journey to Versailles to marvel at the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles and its immaculate gardens. Alternatively, escape to the picturesque town of Giverny, where Claude Monet’s vibrant gardens inspired his famous water lily paintings. Whether you’re drawn to historical opulence or artistic inspiration, these top day trips promise unforgettable experiences just beyond the city limits of Paris.

📍Location: Lyon is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, approximately 470 kilometers (292 miles) southeast of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: You can take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache stations, with a travel time of about 2 hours.

🚗 By car: Take the A6 or A7 highways from Paris towards Lyon, which is approximately 470 kilometers (292 miles) and takes approximately 4-5 hours depending on traffic.

✈️ By plane: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) offers flights from Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports), with a flight time of around 1 hour.

🏰 Attractions: Lyon is known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town (Vieux Lyon), Renaissance architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Don’t miss landmarks like the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the traboules (hidden passageways

📍 Location: Giverny is located in the Normandy region of northern France, approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) northwest of Paris.

How to get there:

🚗  By car: Take the A13 highway from Paris towards Rouen and then follow signs to Giverny. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

🚆 By train: From Paris Saint-Lazare station, take a train to Vernon station. From Vernon, you can take a taxi or shuttle bus to Giverny, which is about 5 kilometers away.

🗺️ By guided tour: Many tour operators offer day trips from Paris to Giverny, which include transportation and guided tours of Claude Monet’s house and gardens.

🏰 Attractions: Giverny is famous for being the home of impressionist painter Claude Monet. Visitors can explore Monet’s house, with its colorful interior and Japanese-inspired gardens, as well as the iconic water lily pond that inspired his paintings.

📍 Location: Bruges is located in the northwest region of Belgium, approximately 270 kilometers (168 miles) north of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: You can take a high-speed Thalys train from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi/Zuid station, and then transfer to a local train to Bruges. The total travel time is around 3 hours.

🚗 By car: Take the A1 or E19 highways from Paris towards Brussels, and then continue on the E40 towards Bruges. The journey takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic.

By plane: The nearest international airport to Bruges is Brussels Airport (BRU). From Brussels Airport, you can take a direct train to Bruges, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

🏰 Attractions: Bruges is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and picturesque canals. Explore the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage site), visit the Belfry of Bruges for panoramic views.

📍 Location: Carcassonne is located in the Occitanie region in southern France, approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles) south of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: Take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Carcassonne station, with a travel time of about 5 hours.

🚗 By car: Drive south on the A10 and A71 highways from Paris towards Carcassonne, which takes approximately 6-7 hours depending on traffic.

✈️By plane: The nearest major airport is Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS), from where you can take a train or drive to Carcassonne, approximately 1.5 hours away.

🏰  Attractions: Explore the medieval fortress of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its impressive ramparts, towers, and picturesque cobblestone streets. Don’t miss the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire and the views from the Count’s Castle.

📍 Location: Marseille is located on the Mediterranean coast in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southern France, approximately 775 kilometers (482 miles) south of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: Take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille Saint-Charles station, with a travel time of about 3 hours.

🚗 By car: Drive south on the A6 and A7 highways from Paris towards Marseille, which takes approximately 7-8 hours depending on traffic.

✈️By plane: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) offers flights from Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports), with a flight time of around 1.5 hours.

🏰  Attractions: Discover Marseille’s vibrant Vieux Port (Old Port) lined with cafes and seafood restaurants. Visit the historic Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views of the city and explore the bustling markets of Le Panier district.

 

📍Location: Chantilly is located in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: Take a TER (regional train) from Paris Gare du Nord to Chantilly-Gouvieux station, with a travel time of about 25 minutes.

🚗 By car: Drive north on the A1 highway from Paris towards Chantilly, which takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.

✈️ By plane: Chantilly does not have its own airport; visitors typically arrive via Paris airports (Orly or Charles de Gaulle) and then travel onward by train or car.

🏰  Attractions: Explore the Château de Chantilly, one of the best attractions in Paris, a Renaissance castle surrounded by expansive gardens and the beautiful Grand Canal. Visit the Condé Museum with its rich art collection.

Bordeaux travel guide

📍  Location: Bordeaux is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France, approximately 580 kilometers (360 miles) southwest of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆 By train: Take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Montparnasse station to Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, with a travel time of about 2 hours.

🚗By car: Drive southwest on the A10 highway from Paris towards Bordeaux, which takes approximately 5-6 hours depending on traffic.

✈️ By plane: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) offers flights from Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports), with a flight time of around 1 hour.

🏰 Attractions: Explore Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed historic center with its elegant 18th-century architecture and vibrant quays along the Garonne River. Visit Place de la Bourse, the Grand Théâtre, and sample Bordeaux wines at local vineyards.

 

📍 Location: Normandy is a region in northern France, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: Take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Saint-Lazare station to major cities in Normandy such as Rouen or Caen, with travel times varying from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the destination.

🚗By car: Drive northwest on the A13 highway from Paris towards Normandy, which takes approximately 2-3 hours depending on the specific destination and traffic conditions.

✈️ By plane: Some cities in Normandy, like Caen and Deauville, have small regional airports with limited connections.

🏰  Attractions: Visit the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site rising dramatically from the sea. Explore the D-Day landing beaches, the Bayeux Tapestry.

📍  Location: Toulouse is located in the Occitanie region in southern France, approximately 680 kilometers (423 miles) southwest of Paris.

How to get there:

🚆By train: Take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Toulouse Matabiau station, with a travel time of about 5 hours.

🚗 By car: Drive south on the A10 and A62 highways from Paris towards Toulouse, which takes approximately 7-8 hours depending on traffic.

✈️ By plane: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) offers flights from Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports), with a flight time of around 1.5 hours.

🏰  Attractions: Explore the historic city center with its pink terracotta buildings, visit the impressive Basilica of Saint-Sernin, and stroll along the banks of the Garonne River. Don’t miss the Cité de l’Espace, a space-themed amusement park and museum.

FAQs about day trips from Paris

Some of the best day trips from Paris include visiting the Palace of Versailles, exploring Giverny (Monet’s Gardens), discovering the Champagne region, touring the medieval city of Chartres, and experiencing the historic sites in Normandy.

  • Versailles: About 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Paris.
  • Giverny: Approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) northwest of Paris.
  • Champagne region: Around 150 kilometers (93 miles) east of Paris.
  • Chartres: Approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Paris.
  • Normandy: Roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Paris.

Yes, it’s possible to visit Giverny in one day. The journey from Paris takes about 1.5 hours by train or car. Plan for a full day to enjoy the gardens and the nearby Impressionist Museum.

The easiest way is by train. The TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Family-friendly options include visiting Disneyland Paris, exploring the Palace of Versailles with its gardens and park, and taking a trip to Parc Asterix. Many day trips also have interactive exhibits or child-friendly activities.

Costs vary depending on the destination and mode of transport. On average, a day trip can range from €50 to €150 per person, including transportation, entrance fees, and sometimes guided tours.

What to pack for a trip to Paris? Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a camera, and a water bottle. It’s also useful to have a guidebook or map, some cash for small purchases, and any tickets or reservation confirmations.