Tourist guide about interesting places to visit near Paris

If you are looking to add a few places to visit near Paris on your trip, don't miss the compilation that this travel guide brings you.

The NH Concierge’s Tips

Traveling to Paris is a very enriching experience for any traveler and globetrotter that is looking for fun and good memories. But if you want a little bit more, looking to complement you visit by exploring nearby regions and cities, your trip will undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. In this travel guide we want to help you get that magical experience, giving you a list of places that you must discover if you want to know the best places to visit near Paris.

Top day trips from Paris that you shouldn't miss in your visit

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful place that is just two hours by train from Paris and is a very popular tourist attraction for its food, landscapes, and history. Making it the perfect place to start your one day trip from Paris early, walking their old streets and enjoying this beautiful part of France. Meanwhile you visit the famous St. John's Cathedral, the Musée Cinéma et Miniature, and the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon. In addition to trying delicious dishes such as fish croquettes called “quenelles”, pork sausage called “andouillette”, onion soup, Lyonnaise salad, among other typical dishes from the region. 

To get to Lyon you have several options, such as by train, using the TGV line from the Gare de Lyon station. Or by bus with the companies Flixbus and BlaBlaBus from the Porte Maillot or Bercy stations.

Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a must-see on any trip that has a connection with Paris. Because it’s only 30 minutes away by train, and it’s one of the most important scenic wonders that France offers, distinguished by its large and unique gardens. It’s advisable to go early in the morning, so you can dedicate half of the day to exploring the halls of the palace, and in the afternoon to walk and have a picnic in its gardens. 

To get there you can take the RER C train line at the Saint - Michel or Invalides station, to the Versailles Château - Rive Gauche station. Or take bus line 171 from the Pont de Sèvres metro station.

Giverny

This is a beautiful town located an hour and a half from Paris, and is widely known for being the home and place of inspiration of the famous painter Claude Monet. There you can visit the house of this painter, visit the church of Sainte-Radegonde, have an aperitif in the Les Nymphéas tea room, ride a bicycle through the town, and even take a hot air balloon ride. 

To go to this town you can use the SNCF train lines from Gare Saint-Lazare station to Vernon station, with a duration of approximately 45 minutes, making it the most comfortable and fastest way to get there.

Normandy

This is a place known for its coastal landscapes and beautiful beaches such as Mont Saint-Michel and the city of Rouen. There are also different private excursions that you can take to learn about the battlefields and the history of the medieval town in simple day trips from Paris. So, if you have a chance to go there, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Mémorial de Caen museum and war memorial, and the remote abbey emerging from the rocks at Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

To get there you must take the SNCF line train from the Gare Saint-Lazare station to any of the Caen, Rouen, and Lisieux stations.

Fontainebleauz

It’s one of the most valuable recommendations of NH hotels in Paris, because it’s a beautiful town located just 55 km from the city, whose best-known attraction is the Château de Fontainebleau, a very important French Renaissance palace. But it is also a place famous for its forests and trekking routes such as the Croix du Calvaire, or the Monument de la résistance. Which makes it the ideal place to walk and have a picnic in the middle of nature. Although you cannot miss this excellent tourist destination during the summer, because the castle organizes very interesting exhibitions and cultural events. 

Write down this on your schedule, you can get there by train from the Transilien line (Line R) at Gare de Lyon station, to the Fontainebleau-Avon station.

Historical places to visit near Paris

Chateau de Chantilly

This is a very impressive castle located on the outskirts of Paris, where you can tour its gardens, and visit the Condé Museum, which has artworks by masters such as Raphael and Francis Bacon. In addition, there are very beautiful hiking trails in the park area that you can do on a one day trip from Paris, and you can end your visit by trying the famous Chantilly Cream in one of the castle's cafes. 

It can be easily accessed by train from Paris, taking the Transilien line leaving from the Gare du Nord station, to the Chantilly - Gouvieux station, which is a 15-minute walk from the castle.

Reims

This is known as the capital of champagne, and is located 130 km away from the city, so nearby that is a popular day trips from Paris. There you can visit several champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger and Pommery. It’s also famous for its Gothic cathedral, called Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, which served as the coronation site of many French kings. And you will find other outdoor tourist attractions such as Place Drouet d'Erlon, where there are many cafes and restaurants to enjoy local cuisine. 

To get there you must take the TGV train line from the Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV station or Gare de l'Est in Paris, to the Reims station. The trip lasts approximately 45 minutes and you can buy tickets online or directly at the train station, because they run every 30 minutes.

Natural getaways to visit in one day trip from Paris

Parc de la Vallée de Chevreuse

Parc de la Vallée de Chevreuse is a wonderful park located in the Île-de-France region, near to Paris that you can visit for free. Then, if you want to know an awesome place where you can plan a lot of outdoor activities like go hiking, cycling, and exploring the castles that are located there, this is the ideal place. So, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the Château de Breteuil and the Château de la Madeleine inside of this park, which have beautiful gardens that you can explore with your family if you are passionate about landscaping and flowers. 

To get there you must take the RER B train to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, the journey takes approximately 45 minutes, and once at the station, you can walk or take a bus that will take you to the different entrances to the park.

The Loire Valley

This is one of the most charming places to visit near Paris, because its castles and vineyards have incredible landscapes. There you can enjoy nature, visit castles such as Chambord and Chenonceau, take guided tours and wine tastings in the vineyards, and explore the most picturesque villages in the area. Nearby you have places like Amboise, Saumur, and Blois that have a special charm that you should definitely know on your trip. 

To get there, the most comfortable way is a private tour, but you can go by train from Gare d'Austerlitz station to cities like Tours or Amboise.

Wine and culinary excursions

Bordeaux

One of the most valuable experiences you can have in this region is to participate in a wine tasting because this is one of the most famous areas in the world for that. There are also several tasting experiences such as direct visits to the wineries, tastings at the Cité du Vin museum, the Wine Festival in mid-June, among others. 

You can get to this place by TGV train from Montparnasse station, a journey of approximately 2 hours. We don’t recommend going by bus, because long-distance trips can be longer, lasting approximately 10 hours.

Burgundy

In the case of Burgundy, it’s a region very famous for its high-quality red and white wines, in addition to its gastronomic experiences in the cities of Dijon, Beaune and Chalon-sur-Saône. There you can find wine tastings, and you will also have the opportunity to try different pairings with local foods. So this is one of the best spots to visit near Paris because all the interesting gastronomic proposals that you can find in the Dijon market and the Beaune market, are going to surprise you. 

To get to this location you can take the TGV train from the Gare de Lyon station in Paris to Dijon. That journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and from Dijon you can take regional trains to the cities of Beaune or Chalon-sur-Saône.

Family-Friendly places to visit near Paris

Disneyland Paris

But, if you are on a Paris family vacation and want to make a family plan that your children can enjoy, another of the best places to visit near Paris is Disneyland, 42 km away from Paris. This is a magical destination because it offers very exciting attractions with your favorite characters, as well as roller coasters and other types of attractions even for the little ones in the house. 

This park is located in Marne-la-Vallée, and you can take the RER A train line from the center of Paris using the Châtelet-Les Halles or Gare de Lyon stations. Or from the TGV line, because both reach the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station.

The Mer de Sable

This is a theme park just 60 km from Paris, based on nature and the animal kingdom. So if you’re looking for one day trip from Paris with unique experiences, this is the proper place… It has different attractions such as roller coasters, carousels, and water play areas for children and young people who want to have fun. You can also see shows with acrobatics and interactive exhibits designed for children and adults. Just as you can take hiking routes, enjoy the beach and picnic areas, among others. 

To get there, you must take a train from the Gare du Nord station in the direction of Creil or Chantilly, and from there take a taxi to the park, which is about 30 minutes away.

Conclusions on your trip around Paris

Without a doubt, traveling to the city of Paris is an experience that we must all have at some point in our lives. Especially if we complement it with visits to places to visit near Paris, such as nearby towns and cities, because this will allow us to learn more about the culture and appreciate local history and customs. The great thing about these places is that they offer day trips from Paris for everyone, whether your interests lie in history, gastronomy, or nature, making it easy to find a plan that suits your lifestyle and that of your family. So don't hesitate to venture beyond Paris to discover everything that this beautiful country has to offer.

FAQs about places to visit near Paris

What cities are close to Paris by train?

The closest cities are Reims, Lyon, Versailles, and Giverny, and they are less than two hours away by train.

Which country is best to visit near Paris?

Belgium and the Netherlands are popular options, with Bruges and Amsterdam being the favorite cities because they are just a few hours away by train.

How far is Switzerland from Paris by train?

Switzerland is about 3 hours by train from Paris, which makes it an accessible option for a short trip of just a few days.

Can you do a day trip to Amsterdam from Paris?

Yes, there are high-speed trains that connect Paris to Amsterdam in approximately 3 hours, so it can be visited in one day.

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