8 Convenient Day Trips From Paris

Paris can sometimes appear as a slightly aloof queen, but who can really blame her? The French capital is overflowing with artistic and architectural gems that naturally command your attention. Even a short escape from the City of Light can provide a refreshing break from the concrete and tourist throngs, while also illuminating various facets of French history and culture. Autumn is an excellent time not only to visit Paris but also to embark on day trips that are just an hour or so away from the city center. Here are eight of our top picks.

1. The Best of the Best: Versailles

No location embodies royal grandeur and extravagance quite like the Chateau de Versailles. It was at the behest of King Louis XIV that a hunting lodge was transformed into the most lavish exhibition of royal privilege ever seen. The stunning Hall of Mirrors, crafted by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, provides views of part of the chateau's sprawling 250 acres of gardens, the masterwork of Andre Le Notre. While the Hameau de la Reine — the faux farm village where Marie-Antoinette pretended to be a peasant girl — is undergoing renovations until 2018, visitors can still enjoy other attractions within the palace grounds, such as the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, the latter completed in 1768 and serving as another retreat for France's last queen.

Aim to arrive at the chateau right when it opens at 9:00am — it closes at 6:30pm — and try to avoid weekends and Tuesdays, as that's when the Louvre is closed and crowds flock here instead. To reach Versailles by Metro from Paris, take the C line of the RER from either the Invalides or St-Michel stations to Versailles-Rive Gauche.

2. A Floral Wonderland: Giverny 

If you're familiar with Claude Monet's iconic water-lily paintings, you already have a glimpse of this enchanting locale. The Impressionist master's residence and gardens are nestled in the Normandy region closest to Paris, earning the title of the most exuberantly floral day trip. The lush grounds, featuring the famous water garden and Japanese bridge, overflow with countless poppies, peonies, and irises, preserving the beauty of Monet's time here from 1883 to 1926. Late summer and autumn offer a stunning display of colors reminiscent of the artist's palette, accompanied by smaller crowds than during the summer months. Just a short walk from Monet's home, you'll discover the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, a separate venue showcasing lesser-known Impressionist artworks that's definitely worth a visit. From Paris, trains depart from Gare St-Lazare; take one to Vernon and then catch a taxi or bus for the four-mile journey to the Fondation Claude Monet in Giverny.

3. What's Whipped Cream Got to Do with It?: Chantilly

The Château de Chantilly consists of two main structures: the charming 16th-century petite château and a larger building completed under the supervision of the Duc d'Aumale in the 1870s — the original grand château was tragically destroyed by mobs during the French Revolution. The architectural harmony of these buildings, complete with a picturesque moat, resembles something out of a fairy tale. This site is renowned for housing the Musée Condé, which boasts the second-largest collection of antique paintings in France, surpassed only by the Louvre. Chantilly is also well-known for its remarkable stables, the Grandes Ecuries. Although its reputation as the birthplace of crème de Chantilly (whipped cream) is likely exaggerated — thanks to the 17th-century chef Vatel's connections to the area — making the journey 25 miles north of Paris to the département of Oise may lead you to discover whipped cream that is indeed deliciously unique.

4. France's Most Stunning Gothic Cathedral: Chartres

When medieval pilgrims spotted the striking spire of the Gothic cathedral at Chartres rising above the golden wheat fields, it signified their arrival at one of the five key holy destinations on their journey to salvation. For you, it signifies a delightful escape from the bustling tourist spots of Paris, allowing you to explore one of Europe's most remarkable cultural treasures up close. The cathedral boasts 176 stunning stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries, so breathtaking that many medieval visitors believed they were crafted from crushed gemstones. After marveling at the cathedral, take some time to wander through the charming streets of the old town and along the scenic banks of the River Eure. From Paris, trains depart frequently from Gare Montparnasse.

5. From Big Nose to Napoleon: Fontainebleau

It was King François I au Grand Nez — known as Big-Nosed Francis, who ruled from 1515 to 1547 — who established a modest hunting lodge in the Fontainebleau forest, located 41 miles southeast of Paris, and transformed it into a magnificent "new Rome." However, the site gained its lasting fame thanks to Napoleon, who abdicated his throne here in 1814 before his exile to Elba. The expansive château requires several hours to thoroughly explore, not including the surrounding forest filled with towering trees and dramatic cliffs, where visitors can ride, rock climb, or simply enjoy a leisurely walk. The village of Barbizon, a center for the pre-Impressionist movement, lies at the edge of the forest. From Gare de Lyon, take a train to Fontainebleau station, where you can catch a bus to the palace.

6. Roman Heritage in Northern France: Senlis

Designated as a historical monument, the village of Senlis is surrounded by Roman walls that rise 23 feet high and are 13 feet thick, featuring 28 Gallo-Roman watchtowers and grand gates. Its cathedral predates both Notre Dame de Paris and Chartres and is renowned for its intricate spire, considered one of the most beautiful in France. Wander along the walls and ruins of the royal castle or visit the thousand-seat Roman amphitheater located just outside the village. The charming stone streets, such as Rue du Châtel and Rue de la Treille, are just as Instagrammable as some of the lesser-known alleys back in Paris. Trains to Senlis, situated 30 miles northeast of the capital, depart from Gare du Nord.

7. The Predecessor to Versailles: Vaux-le-Vicomte

Few places in France showcase the stunning fusion of history and beauty as spectacularly as Vaux-le-Vicomte, located 36 miles southeast of Paris and known as the largest private estate in the country. In 1661, Nicolas Fouquet, the finance superintendent under Louis XIV, hosted an extravagant fête to celebrate the completion of his château, pulling out all the stops to ensure his guests had an unforgettable experience, except for one major oversight: he failed to invite the king. Enraged, Louis imprisoned Fouquet for life and took command of his talented artisans to construct what would later become the royal palace at Versailles. The breathtaking gardens span 125 acres. To reach Vaux-le-Vicomte, take a Line P train towards Provins from Gare de l'Est, disembark at Verneuil l'Etang station, and then catch the Châteaubus to the château.

8. A Picture-Perfect Destination: Auvers-sur-Oise

Located less than 17 miles from the heart of Paris, the charming village of Auvers-sur-Oise feels like a different world, far removed from the chaos of the capital. Lush and tranquil, it attracted numerous renowned painters in the 19th century, including Pissarro, Corot, and Cézanne, but it is most famously associated with Vincent van Gogh, who passed away here in 1890. Visitors can pay their respects at Van Gogh's grave and admire the village church that he immortalized in his painting *L'Église d'Auvers-sur-Oise*, currently displayed at the Musée d'Orsay. Trains to Auvers depart from Gare du Nord in Paris.

What are your top picks for day trips from the City of Lights? Share your thoughts below.