Best Day Trips from Paris

By Karleen Stevens
Published: July 18, 2024
Palace of Versailles at dusk

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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Things to do in Paris For Adults

Paris is a veritable playground for grown-ups. There are literally hundreds of museums and art galleries to explore, plus superb shopping – from high-end brands on the magnificent Champs Élysées to haggling for antiques and knick-knacks in the world’s biggest flea market. There’s top-flight entertainment too (spot of Paris burlesque, anyone?), not to mention some of the best gourmet dining on the planet. Dive in to discover our pick of the 10 best things to do in Paris for adults. Dine in the Eiffel Tower There are surely few things in life more decadent – or romantic – than having dinner halfway up the Eiffel Tower, as the sun sets and lights begin to twinkle in the city streets far below. Eating out at Le Jules Verne doesn’t come cheap, with the five-course tasting menu starting at north of €200. But what price delicious French cuisine from a Michelin-star-awarded chef? Pair your dishes with wines hand-picked by the restaurant’s master sommeliers for a meal you’ll never forget... unless of course you accidentally finish the bottle. See Some Great Art A short stroll through the leafy Jardin des Tuileries from its more famous (and much bigger) neighbor the Louvre, the Musée de l'Orangerie is a relatively diminutive but no less enticing treasure trove for art lovers, perhaps best known for its collection of eight of Monet’s Water Lilies paintings. Here on the banks of the Seine, fans of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism will find much to admire, with many fine masterpieces from Picasso, Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani and more. Shop til You Drop Love to shop? You’ve come to the right place! Head to the Champs-Élysées if you want to give your wallet a real workout. Here, brands including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Apple and Chanel all but guarantee you’ll get a panicked call from your credit card company before the day’s out. Paris’s historic covered passages invite you to browse antique stores, independent boutiques, artisan jewelers and much more beneath amazing glass canopies. Or, if it’s knick-knacks, vintage fashions and old vinyl records that float your boat, put on your haggling hat and make for the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, only the biggest flea market on the entire planet. Go Wine-Tasting Back in the 18th Century, France’s King Louis XV was reviled by his subjects for his flamboyant overspending, which included the establishment of a discrete network of caves and tunnels beneath the streets of Paris, in which to store his wine. Today, you can reap the benefits in these atmospheric royal cellars at Les Caves du Louvre, where a fascinating tour concludes with a tasting experience of three different French wines. Santé! Take to the Skies Soar high above the city on a ride aboard the Ballon de Paris Generali, a huge tethered helium balloon that rises 150 meters above the Parc André-Citroën, affording panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur Basilica and more. Or make a day of it on an amazing hot-air balloon experience just outside of Paris. This flight takes you high above the undulating French countryside for a bird’s eye view of its lush woodlands, picturesque villages and grand chateaux. You can even upgrade to include dinner and champagne if you’re feeling particularly decadent. Unwind at the Spa Do as the Parisiens do and make for the Latin Quarter’s exquisite Mosquée de Paris, where the beautiful byzantine-style hammam with its gurgling fountain and inviting steam room provides an idyllic setting for an vigorous exfoliation treatment or massage. Pro-tip: sip a mint tea afterwards in the leafy courtyard to complete your journey to the state of pure zen. Big spenders can also pamper to within an inch of their lives at luxury spa facilities in the likes of chic Maison Sisley, just off the Champs-Élysées, and the spa at La Réserve Paris, one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Buy Macarons at Ladurée The modern ‘Paris macaron’, a super-sweet confection comprised of two small meringue discs around a ganache, jam or buttercream filling, is widely credited to upmarket French pâtisserie Ladurée. Head to their highly Instagrammable flagship store on the Champs-Elysées to stock up on these dainty treats, which come in a rainbow of colors and flavors, including chocolate, pistachio, cardamom and dozens more. Better still, pause for an indulgent afternoon tea in the opulent salon. Visit a Château Paris is practically encircled by amazing chateaux and palaces, regal homes of the great and the good (and the not-so-good) over many centuries. Hop on a train to the insanely grandiose Palace of Versailles, a favorite dwelling of French Kings and Queens in the 17th and 18th centuries, later used by Napoleon as a summer residence following the French Revolution. Fairytale Fontainebleau has been around since medieval times: another favorite of our old pal Napoleon, it contains the only Napoleonic throne room still in existence, plus miles and miles of ridiculously sumptuous galleries, corridors, halls and boudoirs to explore. Take in a Show Since time immemorial the great philosophers have pondered the question: if you went to Paris but didn’t see a cabaret show, did you even go to Paris? Have no doubt: this is one of the most fun activities for adults on a night out in Paris. There’s a sparkling roster of shows available across dozens of venues, the most famous of course being the Moulin Rouge with its neon-lit red windmill. Which you choose will really depend on how you like your cabaret and burlesque, from the très risqué to the positively demure and from traditional high-kicking can-can dancers to death-defying acrobatics and dazzling light shows. Watch a Sunset Experience a sunset just once in Paris, and you’ll soon understand why it has so inspired artists like Monet down the centuries. Watch the sun go down from a bateaux on the Seine, as the city’s great iconic monuments begin to light up. Or head for the hills – specifically Montmartre – where a chocolate crêpe on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, as the sky blazes in various shades of orange, pink and purple, and lights begin to flicker on across the city, really might feel like a life-changing experience. Save on things to do in Paris for adults Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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3 Days in Paris: A Perfect Itinerary

Paris is a timelessly charming city that definitely has the power to seduce if you know where to go and what to see. Its famous sights are elegant and iconic, from the slick Eiffel Tower to its chic city streets filled with quaint cafés and dazzling boutiques. Home to world-class fashion houses, endless Michelin-starred restaurants and beautiful architecture at every turn, it has a grand old reputation that is sometimes hard to live up to. But if you give yourself ample time to explore the city and get under its skin, you’ll find all of the romance and grandeur you could ask for. Just give yourself three days at a minimum to experience it! Three days in Paris must-see sights: Arc du Triomphe The Louvre Notre Dame Montmartre tour Paris Cheese and Wine Tasting Seine River cruise Dalí Museum Day 1 – Iconic City Symbols Arc du Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe is pretty darn masterful. It’s a monumental Parisian emblem that stands guard over perhaps the most visually impressive avenue in the world, the Champs-Élysées. Appreciate the monument’s grand 19th century beauty before strolling down the famous boulevard towards the must-see Musée de Louvre. The Louvre The Louvre is a world-renowned museum and a true grand dame of Parisian art and architecture, featuring over 35,000 pieces of amazing artworks in an opulent palace. Its most famous resident is probably the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci, but its futuristic pyramid-shaped entrance is also a key highlight. Notre Dame No one should visit Paris without seeing the exquisite Medieval Cathedral Notre Dame, complete with stunning stained-glass windows. Its decadent Gothic structure has truly stood the test of time, surviving numerous wars and even a fire in 2019. Despite these obstacles, it still stands tall and beautiful, though there are a few scary-looking gargoyles hidden in some of its decorative crevices... Other major architectural sites of note include the Paris Opera House, the Gardens of Trocadéro and the extravagant Grand Palais exhibition center. A good way to make your way to all of these is with a handy Hop-on-Hop-Off bus tour, included with your pass. Disneyland® Paris If you came to Paris on the search for thrill rides and magical lands, then you could forgo the above options and spend a whole day instead at Disneyland® Paris! Comprising two awesome theme parks peppered with rides, rollercoasters, experiences and shows featuring all your favorite characters, there really is something for everyone here. Don't miss the magnificent nightly fireworks spectaculars at Sleeping Beauty's Castle that run all through 2022 in celebration of the park's 30th anniversary! Day 2 – The Belle Époque Magical Montmartre After an action-packed first day visiting the city’s key buildings, relax with a splash of indulgence as you live the beautiful life in the city’s spectacular streets. The district of Montmartre is the perfect place to do this thanks to its historic cobblestoned streets sprinkled with colorful buildings, cute cafés and fine boutiques. Sitting in the shadow of the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica, and home to the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show, this arty district is synonymous with the cultural icons who lived here during the city’s Belle Époque, from Picasso and Van Gogh to Monet. Take a walking tour of the neighborhood to learn all about its fascinating history, enjoy a charming ride aboard the Petit Train de Montmartre, or indulge in Champagne Gourmand at the renowned restaurant Au Cadet de Gascogne, all included with your pass. Cheese and Wine Tasting Continue to satisfy your senses by sampling some of the city’s finest produce with a French cheese and wine tasting session at Les Caves du Louvre wine bar. This renowned establishment offers over 50 different wines by the glass to try, and a knowledgeable sommelier will help you pick ones that suit you best. You’ll also have the chance to refuel with a delectable selection of French cheeses. Originally established by King Louis XV's sommelier, you know that this is the place to try the very best produce of France. Café Couture Next up, it’s time to shop ‘til you drop in the city’s renowned boutiques. As the home of Paris Fashion Week, luxe lovers will rejoice with the range of famed fashion houses on offer like Chanel, Dior and Givenchy around Rue Royale and Rue Cambon. The historic Galerie Lafayette department store is also a great option for everything from clothes and homewares to furniture and books. You can also seek out great antiques at the city’s many flea markets such as Puces de Clignancourt, so there’s something for everyone. Once you’re weighed down with bags, find a fancy café to relax in and while away the rest of your day over coffee and sweet French pastries. Café de Flore is an atmospheric choice. Day 3 – River relaxation Bateaux Parisiens A visit to Paris simply isn’t complete without a trip down its picturesque River Seine. A cruise down this beautiful river will allow you to see the city from a whole new perspective as you float past everything from the Notre Dame to Musée d'Orsay while enjoying jaw-dropping views at a leisurely pace. You’ll be able to see these views from open-air observation decks on the boat, giving you a fantastic opportunity to take great pictures of the sights as you glide past them. The scenic riverbanks were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, so expect some truly lovely vistas. Dalí Museum Round off your bewitching three-day trip with a dash of surrealist splendor from Salvador Dalí. This famous Spanish painter lived in Paris for a time in the creative Montmartre neighborhood, where he met Pablo Picasso and joined the Surrealist art group to further develop his avant-garde style. Over 300 pieces of his are housed in the unique Dalí Museum, which showcases a vast range of colorful paintings, drawings and sculptures from the artist, making it one of the most important museums in the whole of Paris, if not the world. With Go City, this unmissable attraction is free to enter and offers a fantastic chance to see one of the world’s most important artists. Save on admission to top Paris attractions Explore a wealth of amazing things to do in Paris with Go City. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer Passes, where you’ll enjoy access to must-see museums, exciting river cruises, fun tours and much more. Share your adventure with us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers and events to help you make the most from your travels.
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