White plate with tempting slice of Comte cheese, with honey, salad garnish, bread and butter

Best Restaurants in Paris

Foodies flock to the French capital for nowhere is better known for fine dining.
By Jo Cooke

While we can offer only the tiniest nibble of the gastronomic feast that awaits you, we hope we can help you avoid the tourist traps and enjoy... well, la crème de la crème...

“How many restaurants in Paris?” you ask. Amazingly, it’s around 45,000, some 630 of them with Michelin stars! But with so many mouth-watering options, surely it’s almost impossible to know where to eat in Paris?

Of course, your choice will depend on budget and taste but remember, some of the best restaurants in Paris are booked up well in advance so it’s a great idea to do your research and make some bookings before your trip.

From the best Paris bistros to romantic French restaurants...whether you’re after dinner at deux, a gourmet evening with friends, an affordable lunch or a once-in-a-lifetime three figure menu... tuck in your napkin and be our guest for a topline taste-tastic tour of...

  • Paris restaurants with a view
  • Luxury and little-known restaurants in Paris
  • Historic Paris restaurants, bouillons and bistros
  • Non-French restaurants in Paris

Breakfast bites

Before we begin our culinary excursion, best start the day right, although, weirdly, Parisians aren’t much for breakfast. Whilst you are able to find eggs and bacon, or yoghurt, or even a stack of American pancakes, maybe make like a local and begin with the typical offering of a croissant, pastry or tartine (that’s a baguette or other bread product with butter and jam), served with juice and strong coffee. Café Louise on the Left Bank is a perfect example of Parisian style...

 

Or, if you’re limbering up for a day’s shopping on the Champs Elysée, stop for sweet French crepes, served with hot chocolate or juice at Bistro Marbeuf.
And now we’ve whetted our appetite, on to the big stuff...

Paris restaurants with a view

 

Madame Brasserie and Jules Verne
Let’s start at the top and we think you’ll guess where. Maybe you’ve climbed the 674 steps of the Eiffel Tower by day but, if you dress in your best to enjoy it at night, you’ll find that the Eiffel Tower restaurants are as breathtaking as the panorama. While the highest spots in the city are reflected in high prices, we promise it’s worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Formerly 58 Tour Eiffel, summer 2022 saw the re-opening of the fully-renovated first-floor restaurant as Madame Brasserie, advertised as ‘an adventure for your tastebuds at a height of 187 feet’. Choose a table in the heart of ‘the Iron Lady’ or with a panoramic view over the Seine and the Trocadero. Either way you’ll enjoy contemporary cuisine, made with local seasonal produce, by chef Thierry Marx. Start with pea tartlet with Pere Fabre goats cheese and watercress (who knew that peas could be so delicious?), try farmhouse chicken with spinach and fromage frais cannelloni and Marengo jus, and maybe finish with old-fashioned chocolate tart?

 

Fancier and higher still, at 410 feet, in a truly exceptional setting on the second floor, is restaurant Jules Verne which showcases the gastronomic genius of 3-starred chef Frédéric Anton, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman in France - a unique award given only every four years.) His structured dishes are designed “to complement and reflect the architecture of the building.” Raise your glasses as night falls and 20,000 lights sparkle all over the Tower, knowing that the menu is equally magical.

 

Georges
Another restaurant offering the unbeatable combination of delicious French cuisine and stunning sights, is Georges, on top of the National Museum of Modern Art, housed in the Centre Pompidou. Gaze out of the huge bay windows, or sit out on the open terrace which is particularly popular at weekends, at lunchtime and at sunset, when you can enjoy cocktails, live DJ sets and the full golden-hour view of the Eiffel Tower. Oh, and let’s not forget the food! Fusion cuisine combines simplicity and inventiveness. Give the famous ‘silver cod’ a try. Or stop by for afternoon tea or (let’s be Parisian about it) coffee...

 

Les Ombres
Whilst we’re aiming high, here’s another refined Parisian restaurant that, whilst not cheap, offers a priceless panoramic view from its perch in the lush hanging gardens at the top of the Musée de Quai Branly (a fascinating collection of indigenous art.) This rooftop paradise is so close to the Eiffel Tower that, as the sun shines through the glass roof, metallic lacework patterns fall over the tables by day and, at night, the dining room is lit by stars - and the Tower’s twinkling lights. The vast terrace is the perfect place to share unforgettable moments - and signature dishes including ‘guinea fowl, celery cream and trumpets of death’ (!)

Luxury and little-known restaurants in Paris

If your budget doesn’t stretch to Michelin stars, hang tight - we’ll get to more affordable (but still delicious) options soon...but you know, whilst we’re here we may as well go all out. Let’s assume you don’t go to Paris every day so when you do you may as well treat yourself!

 

Marsan
In a male dominated profession Hélène Darroze is recognised as one of the best chefs in the world, with 2 Michelin stars for Marsan, named in homage to the place where she grew up. The restaurant, on the Left Bank, uses traditional products to create new gastronomic experiences but it’s not pretentious, especially if you can bag the chef’s table. ‘La Table d’Hélène’, on the ground floor, is in full view of the kitchen, with the food prepared in front of you and served family style in large dishes. More conventionally, book a table in the first floor dining room where dishes are reminders of Hélène’s childhood and travels. Discover blue lobster from Brittany, perfumed with hay and served with ceps from Bordeaux; Saint Jacques (scallops) blended with Tandoori spices and coriander to recall a trip to India ; and the baba featuring Armagnac from Hélène’s brother’s cellar, to complete this very personal experience. It's very friendly, yet very French!

 

Le Comptoir de Relais Saint-Germain and L’Avant Comptoir
Whilst we’re on well known chefs, Yves Camdebordes is also something of a celebrity in France (formerly appearing on French Masterchef) and, rather than traditional gourmet cuisine, has been called a chef of ‘bistronomy’. Consequently his affordable and unpretentious bistro, Le Comptoir de Relais Saint-Germain, is wildly popular. If you manage to secure a spot, don’t go looking for a menu - you eat whatever chef feels like cooking - think grilled pork belly with potato purée, a salad of tiny wild strawberries and Parmigiano chips, all followed by an irresistible cheeseboard oozing with French-ness!

 

Right next-door, but hidden behind a crepe stand, a lesser-known destination for deliciousness is Camdeborde’s hors d’oeuvres bar, L’Avant Comptoir. Step behind the plastic curtain painted with a pig and share a secret haunt with chefs, local winemakers and other dedicated foodies, standing around the zinc tables (there are no chairs!). Get wine recommendations from the friendly bar staff and choose from menus hanging from the ceiling to enjoy fabulous finger food including artichoke and cured ham waffles, duck confit sausage hot dogs and fried Parmesan cheese puffs.

Verjus
Another ‘best kept secret’ restaurant in Paris is Verjus, tucked away behind the Palais Royale and which grew out of ‘The Hidden Kitchen’ the famous multi-course dinner parties once hosted in a private Parisian apartment by American couple Braden Perkins and Laura Adrian. Now a restaurant in its own right, it still offers intimacy and imagination, and food with a lighter touch than the rich French tradition. Enter by a side alley and you’ll find huge windows overlooking an old theatre, a tempting basement wine bar, but a focus on food and service rather than a fancy interior. Picture yourself tucking into pork belly with sesame seeds, duck terrine with pistachios, oysters with rhubarb, beet tarte tatin, Parmesan ‘churros’ and caramelised Jerusalem artichoke icecream with apple and cinnamon. Book well in advance though - the locals often get there first!

 

Historic Paris restaurants - bouillons and bistros

If you’re looking for an authentic Parisian experience - from the menu to the atmosphere - search out a ‘bouillon’. In 1855 a Paris butcher made a simple broth of meat and stock that soon became popular with workers, rich and poor alike. This aim, to serve quality food, quickly, at an affordable price, was the beginning of restaurant chains, now replicated worldwide. By 1900, there were 250 bouillon restaurants in Paris; now only a handful remain where you can enjoy the beautiful Art Deco interiors and authentic atmosphere, as well as the tradition of delicious, affordable, comfort food.

 

Bouillon Chartier
This is a prime example - one of the most perfectly preserved restaurants of old Paris. The Chartier brothers opened ‘Le Bouillon’ brasserie in Montmartre 1896, and tourists and Parisians still love its Art Deco opulence and inexpensive, traditional dishes. Don’t be put off by the queues - the waiters, dressed in traditional ‘rondin’ (a tight fitting black waistcoat with pockets and a long white apron) speed around so that the queue moves fast, orders are taken quickly and food arrives swiftly. Who wouldn’t love the original ethos of “hearty food at a modest price?” And the stunning interior and glass roof hasn’t changed either; look out for the numbered wooden drawers where the diners of long ago stored their personal napkins!

 

Café de la Paix
Lovers of literature and film might want to follow in the footsteps of historic celebrities at this internationally renowned café, close to the flamboyant Opera Garnier and extravagantly designed by the same architect. Stop by the oyster bar or sip a cocktail on the terrace where Zola, Maupassant and Oscar Wilde all used to hang out. In 1898 Wilde claimed to have seen a golden angel here, though it turned out to be the reflection from the statue on top of the opera house. Later Marlene Dietrich drew such large crowds on her visits that the waiters devised a special route for her to enter via the kitchen.
The history is included in the price of the food, though lunchtimes are more affordable.

 

Bistro Benoit
Share in the history of “the last real Parisian bistro”, dating back to 1912 and the only Parisian bistro to be starred in the Michelin guide. It was run by the same family for 93 years until, on retirement, they sold it to Alain Ducasse, the first chef to own three restaurants in three cities, all with three Michelin stars. You’ll feel right at home sampling authentic food, from vintage china among the red velvet banquettes, brass fittings and potted plants, all under a trompe l’oeil ceiling of fluffy clouds. Enjoy traditional favourites like paté or garlicky snails or choose original options like chilled blue lobster with green beans and coral vinaigrette. Fill up with robust mains including confit pollock, seared black pudding, beef tenderloin or home-made cassoulet, then find room for traditional desserts of soufflé, millefeuille and their famous giant profiteroles.

 

Les Antiquaires
Our final recommended bistro stop is just a stone’s throw from the Musée d’Orsay and is always packed with regulars and tourists alike. After a day marvelling at Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the breathtaking Beaux-Arts railway station, drop by for what’s billed as the best boeuf bourgignon in Paris. Settle into the cosy restaurant, crammed with antique furniture and pretty mirrors or sip a cocktail on the large outside terrace whilst you watch the world go by.

Non-French restaurants in Paris

 

Le Servan & Double Dragon
We’ve seen a lot of serious (and masculine) French cuisine but what if you (whisper it) fancy something other than traditional French food? Fear not - you’ll find more laid-back bars and restaurants around the 11th arrondissement, including Le Servan. Its owners, sisters Tatiana and Katia Levha, were born in the Philippines but raised in Paris and trained in Michelin-starred kitchens. Check out their ever-changing menu of beautiful small plates of classic French ingredients with a South East Asian twist, like pan-fried scallops with spinach, bone marrow and smoked vinegar - or raw cuttlefish with chillies and Sichuan peppercorn. Desserts - and cheeses - are more traditionally, and deliciously, French.

Their newer venture, Double Dragon is a relaxed, family-friendly space, with waiters in T-shirts and a lively (but not too loud) backdrop of hip-hop music. Everyone will find something to love on the affordable menu of (mostly organic) comfort food. Sweet and spicy Korean chicken and deep fried Comte bao buns are another exciting blend of France and East Asia.

Buffet
Bottles in front of a mirrored bar, rustic wooden tables with gingham cloths - the classic French bistro right? Or, in fact, wrong. Buffet’s short, daring menu of sharing plates borrows flavours and presentation styles from across the globe, from the Far East to the Middle East. Try the sweet potato, topped with crumbled feta and creamy mushroom chips, but sprinkled with scallions rather than Mediterranean herbs. The mackerel is served with Shiso (a Japanese herb) and chive cream and grated daikon (a Japanese radish.)

 

Salon de Thé de la Grande Mosquée de Paris
A hidden gem in the 5th arrondissement, this leafy tiled oasis in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque is the perfect place to enjoy lunch and while away a sunny afternoon. Or pop in for dinner after a day of culture at the National Museum of Natural History, just across the road. Birds sing and friendly waiters deliver your choice of couscous and tagines, along with mint tea and sugary baklava.

What are you waiting for? We hope that’s given you a flavour of just a few of the best places to eat in Paris. And happily with Go City, there are always new places to explore. Bonne degustation!

Jo Cooke
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

An Alternative Guide to Paris Museums

Paris is one of those amazing European cities just brimming with art, culture, and history. In fact, some of the most famous museums in the entire world are found right here in the City of Lights. We’ve all heard of the Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Versailles, and so on. But what about those of you who’ve already hit up the biggies and are looking to explore some more distinctive or unusual Paris museums? If you’re looking for alternatives to the major label museums in Paris, have we got the handy little guide for you. Check out our guide to the quirky, unique, and unexpected museums in Paris. The alternative museums we highlight in this post include: Musée des Plans-Reliefs Musée de Cluny Museum of Arts & Crafts Museum of Decorative Arts Château de Rambouillet Sèvres, City of Ceramics Museum of Music Discovery Palace Picasso Museum Musée des Plans-Reliefs The Musée des Plans-Reliefs would be Toby Shandy’s delight. Housed in the Hôtel des Invalides, this collection features a massive assortment of “plans-reliefs,” or scaled-down models of cities and other geographic features for military purposes. They were originally used to strategize during battle—something of an early precursor to our digital renderings. The collection includes pieces from the late seventeenth through the early nineteenth centuries. Musée de Cluny Although it’s a museum that tends to escape people’s radar when visiting Paris, the Cluny Museum is actually among the most significant cultural institutions in the city. Found in the Latin Quarter, this museum features one of the best collections of medieval art and artifacts anywhere in the world. For example, you’ll find a number of famous tapestries, crowns, engravings, sculptures, and other evidence of medieval artistry and craftsmanship from France and beyond. Museum of Arts & Crafts The Musée des Arts et Métiers is something of a misleading name for this fine collection of scientific and industrial materials. Here you’ll find tens of thousands of drawings and objects—among which are some of the most famous technical objects in history, such as an original Foucault pendulum, the original model for what would become the Statue of Liberty, and the first mechanical calculator. Visitors can also explore historic cars, planes, and other artifacts from the history of transportation. Museum of Decorative Arts Housed in a portion of the Louvre Palace (but distinct from the Louvre itself), the Musée des Arts Décoratifs brings together compelling exhibits from the history of graphic arts, advertising, and fashion. The overall focus is on design and decorative arts, with objects like furniture, wallpaper, ceramics, glassware, children’s toys, carpets, and much more comprising its extensive collections. Visitors will also want to take time to explore themed period rooms that showcase different moments in the history of material goods. Château de Rambouillet Castle of Rambouillet is located a fair distance southwest of Paris, but it’s worth the extra effort to see this remarkable museum. Formerly the summer home of the Presidents of the French Republic, it’s now a historic monument preserving the long history of the castle. It was originally built in the fourteenth century but is most famous as the place that Louis XIV transformed into an idealized version of a country dairy to please his queen, Marie-Antoinette. There were further additions and modifications made by later rulers as well. Sèvres, City of Ceramics A small community in the southwest suburbs of Paris, Sèvres is known for its unparalleled production of exquisite porcelain. The largest porcelain manufactory in Europe is still located in this neighborhood, as the eponymous Sèvres – Cité de la Céramique museum. A visit here is an opportunity to learn about the historic porcelain production in France, as well as a chance to see their fine collection of Asian and European ceramics, including many pieces by modern and contemporary artists. Museum of Music Located within the renowned performance space Cité de la Musique, the Musée de la Musique boasts a unique collection of rare and unusual instruments. Visitors can peruse over 1,000 instruments and musical artifacts ranging from a tortoise guitar to a crystal flute. The collections span the period from the seventeenth century through the modern era including non-European instruments and music. The accompanying audio guide allows visitors to listen to recordings, and free daily concerts provide live musical inspiration. Discovery Palace The Palais de la Découverte is an exciting modern science museum located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. Permanent exhibitions here include a focus on topics like mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, geology, and astronomy. It’s particularly notable for its Zeiss planetarium. About a decade ago it merged with the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, sharing their collective dedication to spreading scientific knowledge and education with visitors of all ages. Picasso Museum An art gallery dedicated exclusively to the expansive productions of one of Europe’s most famous artists, the Musée Picasso is absolutely a must-visit for fans of the Spaniard’s life and works. You’ll find more than 5,000 works of art including paintings, notebooks, sculptures, ceramics, engravings, and drawings, as well as thousands of archival documents include Picasso’s personal correspondence, manuscripts, and photographs. This collection is located in the Marais district of Paris. Save on Admission to Paris Museums Visit these museums and plenty of other cultural institutions with the Go Paris pass. Pay only 95 Euro for the 48-hour Paris Museum Pass, which covers admission to more than 55 different museums and monuments in the broader Paris area. The Go Paris pass also includes admission to tours, cruises, and other fun attractions to help round out your weekend getaway. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal
Louvre Museum
Blog

Guide to the Louvre Museum - Tips for Visiting

If you do one thing in Paris, it should be the Louvre. Pay a visit to the world’s largest art museum and spend an entire day marveling at their exhaustive collections of art and artifacts. It's consistently among the most-visited art museums and one of Paris’ most popular attractions. While their collections encompass some 380,000 objects, only a portion of these are on display at any given time. Items hail from all around the globe and throughout human history, including objects from prehistory all the way up to twenty-first-century works of art. The Louvre has particularly notable strengths in Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Sculpture, and Painting, among others. The museum itself is a work of art—housed in the Louvre Palace (originally built in the late twelfth century as the Louvre Castle), it’s a veritable maze of art and artworks. Creative types will find a haven here, with something from just about every period and field to marvel at. Don’t forget about the signature I. M. Pei pyramid out the front which acts not only as a piece of art but a stunning entranceway to the museum! The Louvre Tickets Looking for discount tickets to the Louvre? Grab a pass from Go City. Spend less on admission to the Louvre and dozens of other museums, tours, cruises, and other great Paris attractions. Enjoy 2, 3, 4 or 6 days of unlimited sightseeing and save big on combined admission versus paying at the gate. See more on pricing for our passes. Louvre Tips for Visiting Be sure to download an interactive floor plan prior to your visit — it’s available in seven languages and will be invaluable in helping you plot out your course through the museum. Consult the museum calendar to see what special events, gallery talks, or tours are going on during the day of your visit. You may also wish to grab an audio guide for the Louvre. Available in seven languages, this is one of the coolest and more comprehensive audio guides around. The Louvre is big—like, really big. Wear comfortable shoes and plan to rest periodically. The Louvre is also difficult to navigate, but they’ve really simplified things by making their collections color-coded. Each of the eight curatorial departments is assigned a color, and then each room within the department is given a number. Follow your map and the signs on the wall and you’ll be good to go. Take your kids to the Touch Gallery. It’s the only place in the entire museum where visitors are encouraged to touch the sculptures (which are replicas of those found in the museum’s collections). Other important places like elevators, restrooms, and restaurants are identified via pictograms—so no worries if you don’t read French. For those visitors traveling with little ones, check out the Tuileries Gardens, which are filled with kid-friendly activities like a carousel, trampolines, and little boats. What is the Best Time to Go to the Louvre? You should plan to spend most of the day at the Louvre if you want to see a representative sample of the exhibits; it is also possible, however, to organize a “highlights” tour and accomplish it all in a few hours. We recommend visiting the museum first thing in the morning as soon as they open to maximize your time spent inside the institution. Crowds will be heavier mid-morning and late afternoon. If you're trying to attend a special docent tour, it’s wise to consult the museum’s schedule of events to see what’s available during the day of your visit. What to Bring to the Louvre Comfy walking shoes – the floors are hard and you’ll be traipsing around quite a bit. Money for souvenirs – their bookstore is one of the best places to shop for tourists in the entire city and it’s worth spending some time there. Layers – the museum is climate controlled, but this can differ depending upon the type of art. As a result, you may feel cool in some rooms but warmer in others. A camera—there are places in the Louvre where photography is limited or prohibited, but you’ll want it on hand for the opportunities that do arise. What to Do at the Louvre The museum collections are all sorted into one of eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Islamic Art; Paintings; Sculptures; Decorative Arts; and Prints and Drawings. We’ve listed a few of the highlights of each department below. Egyptian Antiquities One of the most famous collections within the Louvre’s vast holdings, the department of Egyptian Antiquities is filled with hundreds of items from Nile Valley civilizations. Items date as far back as the prehistoric period (about 4000 BCE) all the way to the early Christian period (around the fourth century CE). The objects in this department include everything from small pieces of jewelry, games, funeral urns, and amulets to large sarcophagi, engraved portions of tomb walls, and statuary. Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities Spanning the rich, diverse cultures of Greece, Italy, and the broader Mediterranean area, the objects and artifacts in this department range from the Neolithic era to the sixth century CE. Here is where fans of classical archaeology and mythology will find their inspiration. With art objects that cover everything from the iconic amphoras to intricate statues of the gods to the signature black and red Greek pottery, you’ll be amazed at the breadth and depth of these collections. Near East Antiquities One of the broadest categories of art and objects at the Louvre, the Near East Antiquities department spans an astonishing nine thousand-year period—from prehistory to the early Islamic period. Artifacts were discovered in a wide range of territory, from North Africa to Central Asia, and from the Black Sea to the Arabian Peninsula. Highlights of this department include tablets bearing some of the earliest forms of writing, ancient beaded jewelry, board games, and dozens of religious statues and figures. Islamic Art New galleries in this department opened in 2012, allowing for an expanded display of Islamic artwork for Louvre visitors. There are a few thousand objects on display here, ranging geographically from Southeast Asia to Spain, and temporally across nearly 1,300 years of human history. A few of the objects you might see in this department include dishware and pottery, sculptures, textiles and texts, and manuscript pages. Paintings With a couple hundred works currently on display, paintings are one of the larger curatorial focus points at the Louvre. This department is among the most famous as well, with particular strengths in Italian Renaissance art and Dutch Old Masters. The collection encompasses every major European school of painting as well, including works from the thirteenth through the nineteenth centuries. Some of the most famous works in this collection include Leonardi da Vinci’s world-renowned Mona Lisa, Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and Johannes Vermeer’s The Astronomer. Sculptures The Department of Sculptures has had a long and varied history, currently encompassing Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern sculptures. Every work here dates prior to 1850, and only includes those that do not qualify for the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Department. Some of the most stunning art objects in the entire Louvre are found here, ranging from statues of gods and goddesses to biblical characters to modern individuals of note. Decorative Arts One of the best departments for those who appreciate and/or study the history of material culture in a global context, this area of the Louvre boasts a simply stunning collection of objects from around the world. Objects were created between the early Middle Ages and the mid-nineteenth century. You’ll find everything from jewelry and ivory work to stained glass and furniture. Many of these objects inspire us to wonder what will happen to our own precious goods after we’re gone. Prints and Drawings This is one for the history of the book people. Here you’ll find a wide selection of printed material, including drawings, pastels, printed books, manuscripts, woodcuts, and lithographic stones. The unique thing about this department is its approach to displaying the collections—because of their innate fragility, most works are kept in careful storage and are circulated in and out of temporary displays. As a result, all exhibits here are temporary, so what you see during your visit will be totally unique! Save on Louvre Tickets with a Go Paris pass A Go City attraction pass for Paris provides admission to the Louvre and dozens of other Paris and area museums for one low price. You’ll also get admission to tours, cruises, and other top Parisian attractions to round out your weekend getaway.
Katie Sagal
Palace of Versailles at dusk
Blog

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon