14 Easy Day Trips From Paris By Train

Want to explore other places beyond the city of lights? From cities and small towns to historical sites, here are the easy day trips from Paris by train you’ll love!

The city of Paris is much more than just the capital of France. It is where the latest trends of fashion and culture coexist with their equally mesmerizing landmarks.

Be it the stunning architecture from the Renaissance period, carefully curated museums, or the serene beauty of the Seine River — Paris has it all.

But though the city is beautiful, there is more to see beyond its walls that unfortunately many people ignore.

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If you’ve exhausted all the major items on your Paris bucket list including all the non-touristy places, then I recommend visiting some of the nearby places by going on a day trip from Paris.

These places come with historical monuments, breathtaking landscapes, mouth-watering local delicacies, thrilling rides, and museums specializing in a variety of themes.

And luckily for you, you just need to buy a train ticket or even use the high-speed train to explore these equally beautiful places.

Getting excited? Read on to find out some of the easy day trips from Paris by train!

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Prepare your trip extensively with this Paris Travel guidebook.
• Don’t forget a universal travel adapter, a travel neck pouch, and comfortable walking shoes.
• Consider getting either the museum pass or the Paris city pass if you plan to visit a lot of attractions. The city pass comes with free transportation and access to the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can read my Paris museum pass review to see if it’s right for you.
• Book this private transfer from CDG airport to Paris to avoid the hustle of figuring out how to get to Paris.

Psst… Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads.

Easy Day Trips from Paris By Train

Regardless of how long you spend in Paris, I recommend taking at least one of these day train trips from Paris.

1. Versailles Palace

If you are looking for a place where you can feel regal in a gorgeous dress and take some trendy photos for Instagram while learning more about the former French royals, the Versailles Palace located 12 miles west of Paris is the perfect spot for a day trip outside Paris. 

After marveling at the extravagant apartments adorned with gems, crystals, and gold, you can take a stroll at the accompanying 2000-acre garden showcasing rare flowers, fountains, and sculptures.

And if you visit in the summer, you’ll be able to enjoy the evening water foundation shows here. 

Art lovers can visit the Baroque-style gallery called Hall of Mirrors located south of the Palace Gardens or the Galerie des Batailles on the first floor.

All you have to do is to book this Versailles entry ticket that comes with an audio guide in advance to avoid the long lines or better yet book this guided tour to learn everything there is about this grand palace from a knowledgeable tour guide.

Not sure how to get to this palace? Then check out my detailed guide on how to get to Versailles Palace from Paris.

2. Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is one of the most exciting day trips by train from Paris. Literally, all you have to do here is have fun and get on rides!

Located 48 minutes from Paris, you’ll be able to meet your favorite Disney characters at Disney Parks and discover the life-sized dragon Maleficent hidden underneath the entrance of Sleeping Beauty’s iconic pink castle.

On the Studio Tram Tour of the park, you will get to see some behind-the-scenes secrets of their classic movies up close, including their special effects! 

The adventurous ones can take some of Disneyland’s thrilling rides like the Tower of Terror or Space mountain but more light-hearted rides are also available including Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s a small world and so many others.

And as you plan to visit, be sure to buy this 1-day Disney ticket here to avoid queuing for it when you get there!

You can also check out these Disneyland Paris tips to make sure you plan your trip well and if you plan to dine at any of the fancy restaurants at Disneyland Paris, make sure that you make a reservation in advance.

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3. Mont Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is another World Heritage Site located over 220 miles west of Paris. By train, it should take you about 3-4 hours to reach this top attraction of Normandy.

Its surrounding medieval defense walls called ramparts make the island look like a distant mystical place rising from the sea at high tide.

You can visit some beautiful ancient architectural pieces like Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel with Gothic spires.

Take a break at the charming Grand Rue to enjoy some refreshments before visiting its museums; Archéoscope, Musée de la Mer et de l’Écologie, and Musée Historique.

To plan your visit with ease, you can check out my guide to visiting Mont Saint Michel from Paris.

4.  Chateau de Chantilly

Château de Chantilly is one of the beautiful French castles near Paris located only 30 miles north of the city in the town of Chantilly.

Though it’s usually perceived as one castle, it actually consists of two attached buildings; Petit Château and the Grand Château.

The architecture of this castle is mesmerizing and the reflections on water and the 285 acres of garden around it make it one of the most worthwhile Paris day trips.

You can visit the beautiful private art gallery of Musée Condé which showcases the second-largest collection of antique French paintings (the first being Louvre).

After exploring the fine art rooms like Stag Gallery, Psyche Gallery, and Tribune Room, check out the Reading Room where book illustrations from the 15th-16th centuries and even some rare pieces are displayed.

5.  Provins

If you love history, then Provins is one of the places that should be on your Paris day trips list. Located in the north-central commune of France, it is just about 57 miles southeast of Paris.

Due to its historical significance, this medieval town earned recognition of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While you’re there, you can climb the medieval ramparts of Provins, climb Tour Cesar for stunning views over the entire town, enjoy the scenic beauty along Rue de Collège and end up at Église Catholique Collégiale St Quiriace to admire its architectural beauty.

And if you visit in December, you’ll get a chance to enjoy its well-known medieval Christmas market.

The most intriguing part of this trip is the ancient tunnels or Les Souterrains de Provins.

Going through these intricately designed underground tunnels will give you a rare glimpse of the art scrawled across their walls left by people who lived there centuries ago!

With so many things to do in Provins and being easily accessible, it is truly one of the best day trips out of Paris.

6. Fontainebleau Palace

If you want to walk in the footsteps of royals but don’t want to visit a crowded place, then Chateau de Fontainebleau will be an ideal option for you.

Located just 34 miles southeast of central Paris, the Palace of Fontainebleau is one of the largest French royal châteaux where the royals lived for 700 years including Louis VII and Napoleon III.

It doesn’t attract as many people as the Versailles Palace but it is equally regal and stunning, if not more. The 12th-century palace has more than 1500 rooms and is surrounded by 130 acres of greenery.

You can visit a number of opulent rooms like the throne room, the royal chapel, the Grands Appartements and so many others and after take a stroll around the beautiful and well-maintained gardens.

If you love natural beauty or even hiking, then make your way to the ancient oak Fontableau forest to connect with nature.

7. Giverny

For some serene time, take a day trip to the village of Giverny, located about 43.5 miles northwest of the capital.

This picturesque area is famous for being a former home to world-renowned Impressionist artist Claude Monet.

Along with admiring the mesmerizing green where he painted his famous “water lily series”, you can enjoy some great food at Hôtel Baudy which used to be the center of artistic life once upon a time. 

After all that, you can take a lovely stroll around the charming country houses of Giverny to crown your visit to this picture-perfect village.

8.  Astérix Park

Created based on the comic book series Asterix, this amusement park is built nearly 22 miles north of Paris. Over 2 million visitors come here every year making it the second biggest theme park in France, behind only the behemoth Disneyland Paris.

The park has a wide variety of thrilling roller coasters and attractions which will make the day for any adventurous soul out there.

Some of the most popular ones include the large wooden Tonnerre de Zeus, the huge steel multi-looping Goudurix and the 3000-feet bobsled Trace du Hourra, a ride where cars go up to 50 miles per hour!

What makes this place a great contender among other day trips from Paris is that you get to experience other historical cultures like Roman, Greek, and Egyptian through visual stories in addition to the French culture.

9. Loire Valley

Located nearly 136 miles away from Paris, the enchanting Loire Valley is often called the Garden of France or the Cradle of the French.

It gained such titles due to the numerous fruit orchards, vineyards, artichoke, and asparagus fields present around the Loire river.

This perfect excursion of natural beauty and historical value also has a globally renowned wine region. These drinks are known for their fresh fruitiness and crisp flavors.

Besides this, the Loire Valley has the largest concentration of French chateaux, over 300 to give you a real picture.

On the river’s left bank, the water reflects the breathtaking beauty of Château de Chambord; an emblematic Renaissance monument. Other chateaux worth checking out while in this region include Chenonceau castle, Château of Sully-sur-Loire, Château of Blois, Château de Chaumont and so many others.

By visiting this place, you will feel like the locomotive has dropped you off at a shelter full of wine and castles from all the city noise.

10. Champagne Wine Region

A common destination for a one day trip from Paris is the Champagne wine region located 90 miles east of the city.

After only an hour or less on the train, you will arrive in this historic area that gave the sparkling white wine its name.

You can visit one or more of the five wine-producing areas here including Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne.

Be sure to taste various champagnes from a number of champagne houses including the famous Moët & Chandon in Epernay, Veuve Clicquot in Reims, and Tattinger in Reims; which all have been in place since the 1700s!

And as you enjoy the champagne houses in Reims, make sure you stop at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims which is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France.

If you get hungry, you can enjoy a hearty meal at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants since they’re quite many in the region.

11. Boulogne-Billancourt

For those of you who are looking for some quick train rides from Paris, you can visit Boulogne-Billancourt located between Paris and Versailles.

Located 5 miles from the capital’s center, it is often called Paris’s western lung since it looks heavenly with many lakes and serene parkland. You can come here with children to enjoy the various parks and rides.

After taking tons of surreal photos, you can move on to exploring the three museums which offer three distinct tastes of historical value.

Musée des Années Trente which highlights the work of many underappreciated artists, Musée Paul-Belmondo which showcases sculptures and art, and Musée Albert-Kahn which showcases sculpted gardens and photographies from the 19th century.

12. Chartres

Located 56 miles southwest of Paris which is just an hour away, Chartres boasts gothic architecture which is a treat for those who love ancient European monuments.

The main attraction of the city is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres (or Chartres Cathedral) which was built in the 12th century.

Though this Cathédrale still stands proud in a well-preserved state, much of the accompanying old town is now destroyed.

There are also other notable churches here like Église Saint-Pierre, and Église Saint-Aignan which date back to the 7th and 12th centuries respectively.

You can also check out multiple museums including Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée le grenier de l’histoire and Le Centre international du vitrail which focuses on stained glass art.

Along with all these historical beauties, you can also enjoy an astonishing light show at night across the city center from April to October.

13. Montreuil and Vincennes

Located 10 minutes apart from each other, Montreuil and Vincennes are just over 6 miles East of the City of Light.

Being the closest eastern suburb to Paris, it is incredibly popular for its sightseeing and labyrinthine flea market called Les Puces de Montreuil.

If you visit on a Saturday or a Monday, you can get your hands on some vintage or retro items for a great bargain!

In Vincennes, you can visit Château de Vincennes, a medieval castle boasting a height of 170 feet and the tallest dungeon of its time! Along with sky-scraping upper floors, you can also check out its Royal Chapel and the study of Charles V.

Missing greenery? Just go to Murs à Pêches whose abundance of orchards and patches supplied fresh fruit to Paris from the 1600s to the 1900s.

14. Metz

Another place that combines the love of architecture and botanical marvel is Metz, a city located 200 miles East of Paris.

It has one of the most stunning gothic architectural pieces called Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Metz. You can also check out Porte des Allemands, a medieval bridge castle located on Boulevard André Maginot.

If you are a self-proclaimed foodie, don’t forget to check out the covered market, Marché Couvert which has permanent stalls.

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Final Thoughts on the Best Train Trips from Paris

As you can see, there is no shortage of day trips from Paris by train. There are so many cities near Paris and towns that offer several timeless experiences that you’ll love.

From tasting sophisticated champagne, picking out vintage items, and enjoying various roller coasters to visiting historical landmarks, the incredible spectrum of fun, history, and knowledge these places provide is truly incomparable.

Have you taken any of these easy train trips from Paris? Which one was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.

NEVER TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE

One of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever make when planning a trip to Paris is to forego Travel Insurance!

You might think that it’s expensive, but when you think of how much it will save you when you lose your valuables or even get sick, then you’ll know that it’s NOT that expensive!

Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for
more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads.

Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

• Nontouristy things to do in Paris
• Stunning views from the Eiffel Tower
• How to plan a perfect picnic in Paris
• Big mistakes to avoid while traveling in Paris
• Things to know before traveling to Paris
• Skip the lines tickets for popular Paris attractions
• Best Hotels in Paris with Eiffel tower views
• Things to do in Paris at night
• How to skip the long lines in Paris
• Best places to get stunning views of the Eiffel Tower

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