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13 minutes readContents
- Disneyland Paris
- Palace of Versailles
- Palace of Fontainebleau
- Monet’s Home in Giverny
- Normandy
- Marseille
- Chateau de Vaux Le Vicomte
- Reims
- Lille
- Bordeaux
- London
- Mont Saint-Michel
- Amsterdam
1. Disneyland Paris
- Distance from Paris: 43 kilometers or 40 minutes by RER A.
- Where to stay: Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $786
If you’re a theme park enthusiast or traveling with kids, make time to visit Disneyland Paris. Due to its smaller size, it’s easy to explore most of the attractions during off-peak season in just two days. Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios sit side-by-side with an adjacent shopping district known as Disney Village and several on-site hotels.
Watch the new night-time spectacular Tales of Magic, and get a thrill with rides like Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain, and Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. You can enjoy a glass of champagne in a commemorative glass in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle on Main Street.
Photo: disneylandparis.com
The theme park is currently undergoing extensive renovations with “World of Frozen” scheduled to open in 2026. We recommend booking your park tickets ahead of time and downloading the Disneyland app to plan your itinerary or buy Premier Access to skip the regular queues.
It’s easy to get to Disneyland as the theme park has its own station right next to the park gates, Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy. Take the RER A from Chatelet station, with an average journey time of 40 minutes.
2. Palace of Versailles
- Distance from Paris: 23 kilometers OR 30 minutes by public transport.
- Where to stay: Hotel Versailles Chantiers
- Rating: 3 stars
- Price per night: $137
Walk in Marie Antoinette’s footsteps by planning a day trip to Versailles from Paris. This 17th-century chateau is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, spanning almost 2,000 acres. You can reach Versailles from central Paris by taking the RER C, with a 10-minute walk from the station to the palace grounds.
Guided tours are hosted daily with a program of events and exhibitions hosted seasonally. Buy your ticket ahead of time to skip the queues at the door. There is a range of tickets available for Versailles, including a ‘Passport’ ticket for the whole estate or a designated Palace ticket for those who only want to explore the chateau.
Photo: ahundt/ pixabay.com
While the Hall of Mirrors is the most famous room in the palace, don’t overlook the Royal Chapel and the Gallery of Battles. There are several buildings on the estate, so dress appropriately with comfortable shoes as you can expect to clock up thousands of steps walking around Versailles.
PSA: The Palace of Versailles is open daily except for Monday and audio guides are available in 12 languages. We recommend downloading the Versailles app to help plan your day.
3. Palace of Fontainebleau
- Distance from Paris: 68 kilometers or 1 hour by train.
- Where to stay: Aigle Noir Fontainebleau Mgallery
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $172
You don’t have to travel too far out of central Paris to find a palace to explore. Château de Fontainebleau is one of France’s largest palaces and was used as a summer residence and hunting lodge by recognizable historical figures like King Louis VII and Napoleon.
Fontainebleau became a national museum in the 1920s and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Although named by Napoleon as “the true home of Kings”, Fontainebleau is underrated by comparison to Versailles and is a great alternative if you want to avoid the crowds.
Photo: Wirestock Creators/ Shutterstock.com
The chateau is open daily, except for Tuesdays, from 9:30am with an earlier closing time of 5pm from October to March. The on-site restaurant is open daily for lunch, except in winter.
You can reach Fontainebleau from Paris by taking the train from Gare De Lyon with direct services every 30 minutes. Get off at Fontainebleau-Avon and take the bus outside the station to the ‘Chateau’ stop.
4. Monet’s Home in Giverny
- Distance from Paris: 87 kilometers or 2 hours by public transport.
- Where to stay: La Dime de Giverny – Chambres D’hotes
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from 267 $
France is an art lover’s paradise. If you’re a fan of Claude Monet’s impressionist artwork, you’ll want to plan a day trip to Giverny, where he lived most of his life.
Take the train from Paris to Vernon and hop on the bus outside the station for the 2-mile journey to Giverny. Following restoration work, you’re now able to explore Monet’s house, gardens, and famous water lily pond where he painted many of his iconic pieces.
Photo: rainhard2 / pixabay.com
While you can visit Giverny year-round, Monte’s house and gardens are open seasonally from April to October with tickets available at the door or online. There are plenty of other tourist spots to add to your itinerary, including the Museum of Impressionism, the Church of Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny (where Monet is buried), and Eure Valley Railway, where you can ride a 19th-century train.
5. Normandy
- Distance from Paris: 195 kilometers or under 3 hours by train.
- Where to stay: Ibis Bayeux Port En Bessin
- Rating: 3 stars
- Price per night: $103
Normandy is one of the best-known regions outside of Paris. Located close to the English Channel in the North of France, Normandy is known for the D-Day invasion across its beaches, a significant moment in World War II. While the area pays respect to its military history with memorial museums and cemeteries, don’t overlook everything else the region has to offer.
Photo: pixabay.com
Famous for its camembert cheese, Normandy is where you’ll find a slower-paced lifestyle that will delight your taste buds. One of Normandy’s most famous tourist attractions is the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. It’s worth noting that the Bayeux Tapestry Museum is closing from September 2025 to October 2027 for extensive renovation work.
Multiple direct trains leave from Paris for Normandy daily with high-speed trains making the journey in under 2 and a half hours. Bayeux station is the most popular stop with public buses available as well as rideshare options.
6. Marseille
- Distance from Paris: 660 kilometers or under 4 hours by train.
- Where to stay: Hotel la Residence du Vieux Port
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $196
Marseille is a city steeped in history. Alexandre Dumas, the author of ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, set his novel in the city’s famous fortress and called it “the crossroads of the world”. We can trace Marseille’s history back to 600 BC when it was founded by Greek sailors. It reflects the diversity of the country’s cultural landscape with almost year-round sunshine making it a popular alternative.
Photo: Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com
You can get to Marseille on a direct train, usually taking between 3 and 4 hours, depending on your chosen service. Located in the south of France, Marseille is France’s oldest city with views stretching across the Mediterranean. The old town region of Marseille is a treasure trove of hidden gems with the Noailles quarter serving traditional dishes alongside decadent sweets. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations opened in 2013 and is located across three sites.
7. Chateau de Vaux Le Vicomte
- Distance from Paris: 61 kilometers or under 1 hour by public transport.
- Where to stay: Ibis Melun Hotel
- Rating: 3 stars
- Price per night: $104
Before Versailles, there was the Chateau de Vaux Le Vicomte, the inspiration behind the now infamous French palace, known for its opulence and glamour. Although privately owned, the château has been hosting tours and events since 1968. There’s plenty to explore on the estate, including the formal gardens and candlelight evening visits on Friday and Saturday evenings during summer. The chateau also offers treasure hunts held during Easter and Christmas.
Photo: pixabay.com
Jump on the Line P at Gare de l’Est and get off at Verneuil l’Etang station. The direct train takes 35 minutes and runs every hour with a shuttle bus scheduled to arrive for each service to take tourists to Maincy and the chateau. It’s the perfect day trip if you’re heading to Paris for a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway.
8. Reims
- Distance from Paris: 144 kilometers or 40 minutes by high-speed train.
- Where to stay: Best Western Premier Hôtel de la Paix
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $185
If you enjoy indulging in a glass of champagne, you’ll want to put Reims at the top of your travel bucket list. Reims is in the heart of the Champagne region and is the most accessible destination from the capital.
There are multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites located throughout Reims, including Palais du Tau and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, formerly known as the Abbey of Saint-Remi. The city is rich in Roman history, taking its name from Remus, the brother of Remis’ founder, Romulus.
Photo: ykaiavu /pixabay.com
One of Reims’ most popular activities is a tour of Veuve Clicquot’s headquarters. Considered one of the world’s most recognizable champagne brands, there are several tours offered at Veuve Clicquot, including one themed to Madame Clicquot, along with tasting workshops.
Travel options to Reims vary with the high-speed TGV INOUI taking just 40 minutes, while other trains can take 80 minutes. Direct services run frequently throughout the day, making it easy to plan a day trip.
9. Lille
- Distance from Paris: 206 kilometers or one hour by train.
- Where to stay: Hotel l’Arbre Voyageur, BW Premier Collection
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $144
Located close to the French-Belgium border, Lille is a cultural hub with strong Flemish influences with its 17th-century architecture and cobbled streets. You can reach France’s fourth-largest city in just an hour by taking a high-speed train. If you’re visiting during the holiday season, Lille’s Christmas markets attract tourists from across Europe and beyond.
Photo: Aliaksandr Antanovich/ Shutterstock.com
The La Grand Place is close to both Lille-Flandres and Lille-Europe stations with its monuments, theatre, and traditional restaurants. One of the most famous buildings in Lille is ‘La Vielle Bourse’, close to the Grand Place. Art fans will find plenty to enjoy during their day visit at Palais des Beaux-Arts and La Piscine Museum. If you’re searching for a unique souvenir, head to Wazemmes Market for street food and handmade items.
You can reach Lille in just over an hour on the fast-speed TGV INOUI. Be careful which service you choose as slower services can take over double the time to reach Lille.
10. Bordeaux
- Distance from Paris: 584 kilometers or 2 hours by high-speed train.
- Where to stay: Hôtel Majestic
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $188
If your taste buds prefer something richer than champagne, visit Bordeaux. Although it’s almost 600 kilometers away, you can reach Bordeaux by a fast-speed service in just over 2 hours – far quicker than the 5-and-a-half-hour drive by car. Bordeaux is a must-visit for culinary enthusiasts with its eclectic restaurant scene.
Photo: Olzheim / pixabay.com
Must-see attractions include the Place de la Bourse, which overlooks the Miroir d’Eau reflecting pool, and the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. The city encapsulates the “joie de vivre” lifestyle that the French are famous for. Take a cruise along the River Garonne during golden hour or spend the day at one of the region’s famous vineyards. You can also experience wine in new ways at Cite du Vin, the first interactive wine museum, which also houses several restaurants and even a wine library.
You can take a walking tour around Bordeaux by focusing on the so-called Golden Triangle near Notre-Dame with its picturesque mansions, historic landmarks, and the neoclassical Grand Theatre building.
11. London
- Distance from Paris: 477 kilometers or 2 hours and 20 minutes by Eurostar.
- Where to stay: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $315
If you’re looking for an extreme day trip – or weekend trip – don’t be afraid to think of a visit outside of France. The Eurostar makes it easy to tick off two bucket list destinations in one vacation with a direct service that takes just over 2 hours between the two capital cities, making it one of the speediest day trips on this list.
You’ll find the best deals by booking in advance and while it may be more expensive than flying, the Eurostar is a more time-effective option for maximizing your sightseeing opportunities. Gare du Nord and St. Pancras are both centrally located in their respective cities, saving you hours traveling back and forth between airports.
Photo: designerpoint / pixabay.com
London is a walkable city with most major tourist attractions being easy to reach by public transport. The National Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and Covent Garden can all be easily explored in one day – and still leave you with time to catch a West End show!
12. Mont Saint-Michel
- Distance from Paris: 370 kilometers or 4 hours by public transport.
- Where to stay: Mercure Mont Saint Michel
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: $148
Is Tangled your favorite Disney movie? If so, you can’t leave the country without seeing the castle that inspired Rapunzel’s tower. 5 services run daily from Paris to Pontorson-Mont-St-Michal, a short cab or bus ride of 5 miles from the abbey. There are several transport options, from a free shuttle bus to riding in a horse-drawn carriage.
Photo: Stockbym/ Shutterstock.com
It takes three and a half hours to reach Mont-Saint-Michel by high-speed train from Paris, but it’s worth it as a day trip for the breathtaking architecture. The first service leaves just after 7:30am, making it possible to do a day trip or a short overnight visit.
You’ll want to walk across Mont-Saint-Michel Bay for the best views of this so-called floating castle. Pack your comfiest travel shoes as these routes can take around 50 minutes to cross.
13. Amsterdam
- Distance from Paris: 530 kilometers or 3 hours and 20 minutes by train.
- Where to stay: Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
- Rating: 5 stars
- Price per night: $414
Another option for a cross-border day trip is Amsterdam. You can expect to pay under 100 euros for a return Eurostar with the first 6:21am service getting you into Amsterdam by 10am. The final direct service back leaves just after 7pm, returning you to the French capital after 10:30pm.
Photo: pixabay.com
The compact size of Amsterdam makes it easy to get a taste of the city within just a few hours. The Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House are amongst the most popular tourist attractions, so buy your tickets in advance. Take a walk along the canals and soak up the atmosphere with a bag of stroopwafels in hand.
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Paris isn’t just the city of lovers – it’s a gateway to exploring France and beyond, if you’re planning to visit a chateau or explore the country’s culinary scene. Whether you’re a fan of traveling by ground transport or plane, you can add a day trip or overnight stay to your Paris trip to make your vacation extra special.
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