Timeless places, attractions for children, fairy-tale chateaux … France has numerous sites to discover on a daytrip from the capital. With so much choice, all you have to do is choose your destination!
© DR via Pxhere
This royal residence of the kings and queens of France is one of the most famous monuments in the world. With its stunning palace and magnificent gardens, Versailles is simply not to be missed. With gilding, vast spaces, delicate materials and magnificent shows such as the Musical Fountains Show, it gives visitors a taste of the royal life… all the ingredients are there for visitors to enjoy the pleasures of royal life in the course of a day. A magical escapade to experience on a self-guided tour, with an audio guide or accompanied by an expert.
More info on the Palace of Versailles
Book your visit to Versailles
© Tak via Flickr
Normandy played a key role in the French Impressionist movement. And for a good reason! Many artists settled in this tranquil region with its lush vegetation to find inspiration. The enchanting landscapes of Giverny captivated one of the greatest painters, Claude Monet, whose workshop and house, surrounded by greenery, are today open to visitors. It is an excellent opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of the most famous Impressionist painters.
More info on the Claude Monet Foundation
Book a half-day excursion to Giverny from Paris with a private driver-guide
© DR
The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most fascinating buildings in France. A Unesco World Heritage site, it was built in the Middle Ages in the centre of the bay of the same name and makes for an enchanting day trip from Paris. Remarkable architecture at a legendary site for a memorable day out at the seaside.
© Jardin d'Acclimatation
For kids and grown-ups, theme parks are always a great idea! Just a few kilometres from Paris, Parc Astérix, Disneyland® Paris and the Jardin d’Acclimatation offer lots of exciting activities to enjoy with family or friends. There’s a lot to pack in: shows, thrilling attractions, rides, and water games … A day of fun in the country of the indomitable Gauls or in the wonderful world of Disney. If you’d like to try out an unusual, energetic and entertaining activity that you can also do with the family or with friends, check out one of the treetop trails in the Île-de-France region.
© Chateau de Chambord
The châteaux of the Loire Valley, the favourite residences of the Kings of France during the Renaissance, are veritable jewels of French architecture. Listed Unesco world heritage sites, each has its own character and history. The Château of Chambord, a jewel linked to Leonardo da Vinci, is the largest of them all; the Château of Chenonceau, built on water, is particularly original. And finally the Château of Cheverny, which inspired Hergé for his comic book series The Adventures of Tintin. A great day out discovering chateau life.
© DR
The lovely Belgian city of Bruges, known as the ‘little Venice of the North' is characterized by its canals, its belfry and its colourful big square with neo-Gothic architecture. Listed a Unesco world heritage site, Bruges is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. And the occasion to enjoy delicious waffles or chocolates as you stroll along the canal banks.
© L-Belither
Normandy, with its rich history and cultural and natural attractions, is only 2hr30 from Paris. This beautiful French region located not far from the capital is world famous because of the role it played at the end of the Second World War as the stage for the Allied landings on 6 June 1944. A visit to the landing beaches is an essential part of any day trip from Paris. But there are also other interesting places to discover, such as the Pointe du Hoc and the town of Bayeux, home to a famous tapestry.
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Reims, the capital of the Champagne region, is less than 2 hours from Paris. It is the perfect destination for a trip lasting a day or more to explore its city centre, sample its food specialities and visit its magnificent cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. A trip to Reims can easily be combined with a visit to the vineyards (tasting session included) producing the world-famous champagne. Visitors learn how this sparkling wine is made, and a visit to the town of Epernay, located amid the vineyards, is often included in the programme.
© Fontainebleau Tourisme
Set off from the Fontainebleau-Avon railway station (less than 40 minutes by train from the Gare de Lyon in Paris) for a fascinating walk through the heart of the Fontainebleau forest. Part of Unesco’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this 25,000-hectare forest is home to an extraordinarily wide variety of flora and fauna, which you will learn about with an expert guide. This tour is a real breath of fresh air. Afterwards, you can continue on to the Fontainebleau château and estate.
© Fontainebleau Tourisme
Fontainebleau Tourisme’s private transportation service will pick you up at Porte d’Orléans and take you on a complete and exclusive tour of the charming village of Barbizon, a 15-minute drive from Fontainebleau. Often viewed as the cradle of Impressionism, the village is associated with the famous landscape painters who stayed there, among them Théodore Rousseau, Jean-Baptiste Corot, Charles-François Daubigny and Jean-François Millet. This excursion includes a private guided tour of Barbizon, skip-the-line tickets to visit the Barbizon School Museum (Musée des Peintres de Barbizon) housed in the Auberge Ganne, a former inn, and the Musée Millet in the famous painter’s home and studio.
