Palace of Versailles at dusk

Best Day Trips from Paris

Ah, Paris - the city of lights, lovers and croissant-quaffing people watchers. With broad, elegant avenues lined with cafes and haute-couture, quiet cobbled lanes with tucked-away patisseries and broad, sweeping views from tower to triumphal arch and back again. It’s so packed full of museums, palaces and churches there’s enough to keep even the most determined tourist busy for a lifetime - but with its crowds and bustle it can also be nice to escape. Fortunately, there is almost as much to explore in the regions around Paris as there is within it, whether you prefer a cool, countryside excursion, a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous or need to entertain the family for a day. Here is our list of the best Paris day trip ideas, all within a couple of hours of the city:

  • The Palace of Versailles
  • Disneyland Paris
  • Chateau Fontainebleau
  • Parc Asterix
  • Monet’s Garden at Giverny
  • The Champagne Region
  • Abbaye Royale de Chaalis

The Palace of Versailles

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For opulence and splendor, there is no better day trip from Paris than the chateau at Versailles. Originally a hunting lodge favored by Louis XIII in the 17th century, the building was renovated and expanded by his son Louis XIV into the impressively vast baroque spectacle it is today. Visitors can explore several hectares of the estate grounds, discovering immaculately symmetrical formal gardens, hidden statuary, waterfalls, ponds and fountains, or visit the expansive state rooms of the Sun King, incorporating the famous Hall of Mirrors and the Gallery of Great Battles. For art lovers, the palace contains a collection of over 60,000 pieces, but if that’s all too much then the nearby village of the same name has some pleasant local markets and cafes.

Disneyland Paris

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Just under an hour from the city, Disneyland is Paris’ most famous attraction for the young - or young at heart! All the magic of childhood comes alive as you explore fantastical lands from pirate ships to the wild west and have your photo taken with your favorite characters. Adventurous park goers can try the Pirates of the Caribbean ride that inspired the movie, get lost in Alice’s Labyrinth or spy on a Star Destroyer in the Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. If you’re a Marvel fan you can get up close and personal with your heroes at the Avenger’s Campus, or take in views of the whole park on a Panoramagic balloon ride. There are also plenty of restaurants and child-friendly zones so it’s easy to keep the whole family busy for the day. To get the most from your time, purchase a Fast Pass to skip the lines, or use the park’s app to watch the queue lengths in real time!

Château Fontainebleau

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If you fancy a peek into the past lives of Parisian aristocracy but the prospect of navigating the vast halls and gardens of Versailles feels a bit overwhelming, try the smaller but just as pretty chateau at Fontainebleau, located 90 minutes southeast of the city (or 40 minutes on a fast train). A residence of French Kings and Queens for several hundred years, it was added to and expanded by each one - most recently by the emperor Napoleon - so that today’s palace is an eclectic assortment of architectural styles and tastes. Sitting in a 130-hectare estate, guests can marvel at the famous Horseshoe Staircase, Marie-Antionette’s Silver Boudoir and Napoleon’s Throne Room, where items including his sword and famous bicorn hat are on display.

Parc Astérix

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Just an hour’s drive north of the city is Parc Astérix, an adrenaline-fueling action theme park inspired by the comic book character Asterix and his sidekick Obelix. Guests can follow in the footsteps of the famous heroes as they travel back in time to the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece, Egypt and even the vikings, enjoying themed rides, rollercoasters and restaurants as they go. Though less famous than its Disney counterpart, Parc Astérix has plenty to offer for a full day out and will satisfy children, history buffs and thrill seekers alike.

Monet’s Gardens at Giverny

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If you need a quieter escape, one of the best day trips from Paris is a visit to Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, which were home to the artist for more than forty years of his life. An hour and a quarter from the city and open every day from April to November, visitors can bask in the colors of the walled flower garden or reflect by the Japanese pools, wonderful at any time of year but especially in July and August when the water is thronged with the water lilies that famously inspired so many of his paintings. Monet’s gardens are a perfect day trip for art and garden lovers, and fans of modern architecture can easily add a visit to the sleek and modernist Villa Savoye on the way.

The Champagne Region

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Bring out your bubbly side in the home of the world’s most famous sparkling wine. If you have a car, spend an afternoon meandering around the hills and vineyards surrounding Epernay, admiring the views and stopping at cellar doors as you go. If you don’t, take an easy train ride to the capital Reims, where many of the famous Champagne houses (Moet, Pommery and Bollinger to name a few) offer guided tours and tastings in their underground champagne caves. Finish the day with a visit to its historic cathedral, site of the coronation of many French kings and queens, including that of Edward VII in the presence of Joan of Arc.

Abbaye Royale De Chaalis

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If you’re looking for some French culture beyond the capital, but can’t decide between a castle, an abbey or a garden, the Abbaye Royale de Chaalis may just tick all your boxes. At just over an hour’s drive it’s an easy day trip from Paris, but the romantic and peaceful setting will make you feel as though you’ve left the city far behind and wandered deep into provincial France. As well as the atmospheric abbey ruin and enchanting rose garden, there’s a castle which has been converted into a museum and holds over 600 pieces including works by Giotto, Houdon and Boucher. If you’ve got time leftover, you can also include a stop at the Condé Museum in the Château de Chantilly nearby.

Save on things to do around Paris

There are so many things to do in Paris, but if you need an escape there are plenty of nearby places to visit as well. Get the best value with Go City, which gives you substantial savings on over 80 attractions within and around this beautiful and wondrous city.

Karleen Stevens
Go City Travel Expert

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A woman studying a map by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
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Things to do Alone in Paris

Paris is a playground for solo travelers, with easily enough activities to fill a few days. Think world-class museums, beautiful parks, Instagrammable monuments and some of the best shopping on the planet. So, brush up on your French phrases (the locals will like you better for it), pack a map and some comfortable shoes and dive in to our top recommendations for things to do alone in Paris. Take Yourself on a Tour There’s a whole host of ways to get around Paris’s relatively compact center, but for pure convenience a trottinette (electric scooter) is hard to beat. Available to rent just about everywhere, these zippy little machines give you the flexibility (and speed) to tick off several attractions in a single day. Or for a more sedate self-guided tour, rent a Vélib bicycle to pedal your way along the Seine, pausing to visit the world’s largest collection of Impressionist art at the Musée d’Orsay and to pick up some sugary chouquettes from a Marais boulangerie along the way. A hop-on hop-off bus tour is another great way to see the city when traveling solo. Grab a seat on the top deck on sunny days for the best snaps along the route. Or take to the water to get a different perspective on Paris. Seine sightseeing cruises run throughout the day and are particularly enchanting in the early evening as the sun sets over the city and riverside attractions including the Louvre and Eiffel Tower begin to light up. Make New Friends! If solo tours aren’t your bag, there are literally hundreds of guided group tours to choose from around the city. Hear about the scandals and passions of Père Lachaise Cemetery’s most famous permanent residents, fill your belly on an award-winning foodie tour of the capital or discover the hidden gems of the Marais. Classes such as the macaron-making experience at the iconic Galeries Lafayette have the combined benefits of learning a new skill, meeting new people and having some delectable French pastries to scoff at the end. Have a wheely great time at one of Paris’s great rollerskating events. Locals take to the streets every week for the Sunday Skate, with dedicated routes temporarily closed to traffic as skaters – both good and bad – roll through en masse. Night owls might prefer the Pari Roller, a skating tour that sets out from Montparnasse every Friday at 10PM and concludes in the wee small hours. Take in a View or Two Ask Parisians where to find the best view in town and you’ll likely get a hundred different answers. Many rate the Montparnasse Tower for its 56th-floor views of the Eiffel Tower and beyond (and for the fact that, because you’re inside it you can’t see the Montparnasse tower itself – it’s considered a bit of an eyesore by locals). Hop aboard the Ballon de Paris Generali. This tethered helium balloon in the Parc André Citroën rises 150 meters into the sky, affording panoramic views of all of the city’s landmarks. Ride the glass elevator up to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor. Or take the stairs if you’re a masochist: there’s a quadricep-numbing 674 of them. There are also some great views to be had from terra firma. Pack a Parisian picnic of pain, vin and fromage and grab a spot on the Champ de Mars, a huge grassy lawn by the Eiffel Tower. Or head to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement. It’s less crowded than the city-center parks and its hilly terrain makes for some superb city views while you munch on your lunch. Wander around Montmartre Montmartre’s boho village vibe, cute cafés and atmospheric bars make it a favorite hangout for solo travelers. After exploring the Sacré-Cœur and admiring the view from its steps, take a stroll through the cobbled streets to the Musée de Montmartre, where exhibits include works from Toulouse-Lautrec’s Moulin Rouge series, plus many more Impressionist masterpieces from the likes of Modigliani and Renoir, a former resident of the 17th-century building the museum now inhabits. Just around the corner, the Place du Tertre takes the art theme and runs with it. Order an espresso and flakey French pastry at one of the cafés that dot this cobbled square (une table pour une personne is a fairly commonplace request at cafés and restaurants across the city) and watch the local artists ply their trade. For a unique souvenir of your time in Paris, you can even sit for a portrait or caricature! Shop til you Drop Part of Paris’s enduring charm is its mazes of hidden lanes, alleyways and passages for the curious wanderer to discover and explore. An early form of shopping arcade, the city’s covered passages are a treasure trove for souvenir hunters and are conveniently mostly to be found in the central 1st–9th arrondissements. Wander beneath stained-glass ceilings, admire intricate mosaic tiling and explore old-fashioned wood-fronted stores selling everything from antique books and prints to fine wines and the latest fashions. If Passage du Jouffroy’s delightful antiquarian bookstore Librairie du Passage has whet your appetite for all things literary, pay a visit to the Bouquinistes of Paris on the banks of the Seine. Bookworms of every literary persuasion could spend hours browsing for bargains here, with some 300,000 books available from hundreds of second-hand sellers between the Quai Voltaire and Quai de la Tournelle on the left bank and the Pont Marie and Quai du Louvre on the right. Serious shopaholics should of course make a beeline for Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. More religious experience than mere shopping mall, this five-story cathedral to retail carries hundreds of brands from Armani to Zadig & Voltaire beneath its iconic 43-meter-high steel and stained-glass dome. Meanwhile, vintage clothes, toys, vinyl records, artworks, books and homeware (and just about every other kind of gadget and trinket under the sun) are the order of the day at Les Puces de Montreuil out in the 20th arrondissement. Seasoned hagglers are sure to find this vast weekend flea market well worth the pilgrimage. Save on the best things to do alone in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
View of the Eiffel Tower across the River Seine
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Week in Paris

Planning a holiday in Paris? First off: lucky you! Secondly, although a week may seem like a lot for a city break, there’s just so much to see and do in Paris that, in fact, seven days is just about the right length of time needed to see the sights and fall in love with the place. Remember that time spent traveling between and queueing for some of the more popular attractions adds up. So, decide which are your must-sees, remember that skip the line tickets are your friend and dive into our suggested itinerary for a week in the City of Love. Day 1: Seeing the Sights Start your break with a bang by ticking off some of the biggest hitters in town. A trip up the Eiffel Tower is essential on any visit to Paris and, with a whole week to spare, you really have no excuse not to. Climb the steps (all 674 of them!) to the second floor for one of the world’s most unforgettable workouts, or take it easy and cruise up in the great glass elevator. Afterwards, head across elegant Pont d'Iéna to the Jardins du Trocadéro with their eye-catching fountain display, then onwards to the Arc de Triomphe, where committed climbers can again take the stairs to the viewing platform up top – 284 this time, fact fans. From here, the view along the Champs-Élysées, with the Luxor Obelisk, Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre’s glass pyramid all perfectly aligned is nothing short of remarkable. Day 2: Art and Culture We recommend picking one or other of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay and spending an entire day in your chosen museum. These, after all, contain some of the finest art on the planet, so there’s no sense in rushing. The Louvre, with its distinctive pyramid is huuuuge – it’s estimated that it would take around 200 days to see every piece of its 35,000-strong collection so, again, it’s important to plan your must-see masterpieces (Mona Lisa, anyone?) before you go. The relatively bitesize Musée d’Orsay is set inside the beautiful former Gare d’Orsay railway station and contains some huge original station clocks as well as the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including Monet, Manet, Degas and Renoir. If you do find yourself with time on your hands afterward, there’s plenty to do within strolling distance of both museums. Take a wander into the stunning Jardin des Tuileries by the Louvre and relax by the lakes or ride the old-fashioned carousel there. From Musée d’Orsay wander east along the Seine to shop the riverside book stalls and pause for a coffee and pastry in the boho Latin Quarter. Day 3: Gently Does It After two days of serious sightseeing it's time to kick back and slow the pace a little. Take a gentle amble through the authentic cobbled lanes of the Marais district, with its cute independent boutiques, delightful sidewalk cafés and – at the Marché des Enfants Rouges – some of the best street food in town. People-watch with a picnic in the gardens of the 17th-century Place des Vosges and while away an hour or two admiring the paintings and sculptures in the Picasso Museum. Cross one of the picturesque arched bridges to Île de la Cité. This tiny island in the middle of the Seine packs in an impressive number of big-hitting attractions including Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie and medieval Saint-Chapelle with its extraordinary stained-glass windows. Pick up some fresh blooms at the daily flower market (which magically transforms into a bird market on weekends) and cool down with some of the best ice cream in Paris at the Berthillon store. Day 4: Shopping! Paris is an absolute mecca for shoppers, from the luxury designer names that line the broad Champs-Élysées boulevard to bargain antiques and knick knacks at the world’s biggest flea market in Saint-Ouen, just north of the 18th arrondissement. You’ll find historic 19th-century shopping arcades scattered throughout the city center. Inside, beneath elegant glass-and-iron canopies, you’ll find everything from chic fashion boutiques to watchmakers, wine cellars and old-fashioned antique stores selling unique period pieces. Passage du Jouffroy in the 9th arrondissement is one of the most popular, and features Instagram-tastic geometric tiling, an ornate stucco clock and even a tiny 150-year-old wax museum! Head to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann for high-end department store shopping beneath opulent galleries and a soaring stained-glass dome. This landmark Paris mega-mall has around 65,000 square meters of big-name boutiques to explore, plus a Decléor spa and more than 20 cafés and restaurants. Day 5: Rest and Relaxation Holidays are all about relaxing, right? And green spaces are some of the most relaxing places on the planet, yes? Great news: Paris has over 400 public parks and gardens to explore, many within short walking distance of the city’s premier attractions. Pick up a picnic from the local boulangerie and make for the Jardin du Luxembourg, where you can sit and idly watch kids sailing toy boats on the lake in front of the Palais and see locals competing on the pétanque courts. Or stroll the flower-filled gardens of nearby Jardin des Plantes, which also contains a small zoo and natural history museum. Further afield in the 16th arrondissement, you can take an old-fashioned rowboat onto the lake in Bois du Boulogne, where a forest trail and botanical garden will also help you recharge. Not relaxed enough yet? Paris also boasts dozens of excellent spas, with facilities to be found in the likes of ultra-luxe La Réserve Paris as well as the Latin Quarter’s exquisite Mosquée de Paris, with its beautiful byzantine-style hammam and leafy courtyard. Keep it zen with a champagne cruise along the Seine in the evening, admiring the city sights as the sun goes down. Day 6: Highs and Lows The Paris Catacombs surely rank as one of Paris’s most interesting – and most macabre – attractions. Here, deep beneath the unassuming streets of the 14th arrondissement lies a labyrinth of tunnels, where curious souls can come face to skull with some six million long-dead Parisians, their mortal remains displaced here from overflowing Paris cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. Take the 1.5-kilometer walking route through these hushed and dimly lit tunnels for a bone-freezing experience you’ll never forget. Afterwards, shake off the chill with a quick whiz up the nearby Montparnasse Tower, where the uninterrupted 56th-floor views across Paris are considered some of the best in town. You’ll find locals to be especially effusive about these views because it's one of few vantage points in the city where you can’t see the Montparnasse Tower itself – it’s considered to be a bit of a blight on the skyline! Day 7: Montmartre No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to Montmartre. You can easily spend a day here, exploring the maze of cobbled streets that are home to world-famous attractions including the Moulin Rouge cabaret and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Save your legs by taking the funicular up the steep butte (hill), then find your bearings on a walking tour of the main sights. Afterwards, grab lunch in one of the adorable cafés or splash out on famous restaurants such as the Café des Deux Moulins of Amélie fame and Moulin de la Galette, part of the famous windmill immortalized in art by both van Gogh and Renoir. Then keep the arty theme going with a stroll to the Place du Tertre to have your portrait painted in the shadow of the basilica by one of the resident artists. Stroll the picture-perfect Rue des Abbesses – great for people-watching and home to the Sunday flea market where you can pick up antique bits and bobs as well as jewelry and art from local designers. And don’t miss sunset from the basilica steps where, as the sky turns pink and orange and a carousel wheels into motion below, you’ll truly feel like you saved the best for last. Save on top attractions during your week in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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