Day Trips from Paris: 5 Unmissable Places Every Traveler Should Visit

Day trips from Paris are an amazing activity to add to any Parisian vacation. Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love Paris. My family all lives in Paris, I visit every year, and now I usually stay for at least a month. But even I like to escape the city and explore some of the amazing sites and towns just around the periphery of the most romantic city in the world.

I’ve seen Versailles with contemporary art installations that made zero sense but somehow worked perfectly, shivered through champagne cave tours in July, and eaten the most perfect crepes de ble noir in their actual home region. 

Whether you’re planning 3 days in Paris or have more time to explore, these day trips offer a completely different side of France that you simply can’t get in the capital.

This article focuses on guided tours that do all the work for you, but I have another article on day trips by train from Paris if you want to DIY!

Day Trips From Paris: Quick Guide

Day Trips From Paris: How to Decide What to Do

First, what a lovely problem to have so many amazing places that you could visit! I’d recommend deciding your distance priority and working from there. No matter which of my favorite arrondissements in Paris you decide to stay in, a day trip from Paris is totally doable.

Willing to have a long day if it means getting to explore a new region? Consider Normandy. Not interested in anything over 45 minutes? Head on down to Versailles or Giverny.

Of course it matters that you’re actually interested in military history or exploring palaces, but when it comes to day trips, you need to make sure you’re comfortable with just how long of a day it might be.

If you’re interested in taking the train for a day trip without a tour, check out this article.

These are the five best day trips from Paris I would recommend:

1. The Palace of Versailles

Versailles is the obvious choice, but that doesn’t make it any less spectacular. I’ve been twice, and the second visit was just as impressive as the first. The palace that basically bankrupted France sits 45 minutes from central Paris, and honestly, the excess is exactly what makes it worth seeing. 

In fact, it’s close enough to the city that you can even take the Paris metro down (head to Google Maps and search for the Versailles Château Rive Gauche stop), just be sure to book your skip-the-line entry ticket ahead. 

During my first visit, I walked into the Hall of Mirrors expecting the usual royal grandeur and instead found enormous Jeff Koons balloon animal sculptures reflecting endlessly in those famous mirrors. It was bizarre and, while I’m not sure I loved it, I still think about it all the time. 

The gardens are amazing, especially if you’re visiting Paris in spring, summer, or fall. They’re massive enough that you could spend an entire afternoon just wandering the different sections. Marie Antoinette’s estate is right there and feels more intimate than the main palace and gives you a better sense of how royalty actually lived day to day.

Perfect for: History lovers, luxury lovers, families, and first-time Paris visitors who want the full royal experience with expert commentary. The guided tours work especially well here because the history is so complex and the palace is absolutely massive.

⭐ Recommended Tour: This guided tour is on the smaller side, includes hotel pickup options, skip-the-line access, and an English-speaking guide. They also build in some time for you to wander, which you’ll definitely want at Versailles. 

⭐ ⭐ Recommended Private Tour with Elegant Lunch: I’ve hit the point where I go for private tours whenever I can, which makes the experience a little more manageable. This tour is totally private, includes a 3-course lunch, and transportation in a luxury vehicle. This is the tour I’d take my parents on.

2. Champagne Region: My Favorite Bubbles

Reims has become one of my favorite day trips from Paris, partly because I’ve been several times and it keeps getting better. 

The combination of world-class champagne houses and that incredible Gothic cathedral makes for an unbeatable day out. Plus, you can leave the day saying you’ve officially tasted authentic champagne, from the actual region. 

The Cathedral de Notre-Dame de Reims is where French kings were crowned for over 800 years. The Gothic architecture is similar to Notre-Dame in Paris, and the stonework is so intricate it almost looks like lace.

But let’s be real about why we’re here 🙂 

The champagne houses offer tours that take you through vineyards and deep underground into chalk caves carved centuries ago. Bring a sweater because those caves stay surprisingly chilly year-round (I learned this the hard way).

Perfect for: Champagne lovers who want to explore the countryside and see a church while they’re at it.

⭐ Recommended Tour: Nicolas Feuillatte is my personal favorite champagne, and there’s actually this fantastic small-group champagne tour that includes a visit. This tour caps at just 8 people, visits two different family-owned wineries, and includes generous tastings at Nicolas Feuillatte plus another smaller producer.

3. Giverny: See Claude Monet’s Lily Pads

Giverny is one of the best day trips from Paris and it’s just about an hour outside the city. 

It’s everything I love about experiencing real places versus visiting museums. You’re walking through Claude Monet’s actual home, seeing the lily pads he painted, crossing the Japanese bridge he used daily. 

I honestly just loved feeling like I was getting to see his real life. Giverny is really underrated and flies under the radar for being such a lovely place to visit near Paris.

Perfect for: Art lovers, families who want to stay near Paris, and people who want to explore a bit of Monet’s real life.

⭐ Recommended tour: This guided tour from Paris handles all the logistics perfectly. You get to visit both the Foundation Claude Monet and some time to explore Giverny itself. You can visit shops, have a drink at a local café, or see Monet’s tombstone near the village church.

If you’re like my boyfriend, you can also make some time for ice cream 🙂 

4. Mont Saint-Michel: Cutest Town with A Million Steps

Here’s something most travel writers can’t tell you: my family has a house near Mont Saint Michel, so I’ve experienced this UNESCO World Heritage site from both tourist and local perspectives. 

A Normandy day trip from Paris will take you about 4 hours each way, so it’s a commitment.

That being said, the image of the abbey rising from the bay creates one of the most dramatic silhouettes in Europe, and the medieval streets feel like going back in time about 600 years.

The tides completely change the experience. During high tide, the abbey seems to float on water. At low tide, you can walk partway out into the bay (just don’t get stuck!). 

The architecture is incredible regardless, but the changing light throughout the day makes every angle worth photographing.

The climb to the abbey is worth it for the views, and the narrow medieval streets are perfect for getting lost. This is also prime territory for crepes de ble noir (buckwheat crepes) since you’re in their home region.

⭐ Recommended Tour: I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a long day to get out to Normandy, but it’s also pretty amazing that you can do it in a day trip from Paris. This tour takes care of of all the logistics of getting to and from Normandy with a knowledgeable guide so the journey really feels worth it. 

5. Normandy D-Day Beaches: History + Cider

The D-Day landing beaches offer one of the most moving historical experiences you can have from Paris. Standing on Omaha Beach where Allied forces landed on June 6, 1944, gives you perspective that no history book can match. It’ll be roughly a 3.5 hour bus ride, but it’s worth it if you’re up for a long day. 

The American Cemetery sits on the bluffs overlooking the beach, with thousands of white crosses arranged in perfect rows. It’s impossibly moving and beautifully maintained. The nearby museums do an excellent job explaining what happened here without being overly academic.

⭐ Recommended Tour: This comprehensive day trip covers Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. The tour includes expert historical guides, a 2-course lunch, and plenty of time at each site to really absorb the significance. Plus, there’s a cider tasting (local to Normandy and I personally love it!).

Seasonal Considerations for Day Trips from Paris

Spring (March-May): Perfect for Giverny when the gardens are coming to life. Versailles gardens are lovely but can be crowded (but still worth it, in my opinion). Weather is ideal for most outdoor destinations.

Summer (June-August): Peak season means crowds everywhere, but also the best weather. Book everything in months advance. Remember that sweater for champagne caves.

Fall (September-November): Excellent for all destinations with fewer crowds and beautiful colors. If you’re visiting Paris in the fall, this is prime day trip season.

Winter (December-February): Giverny closes, but Christmas markets in Reims are magical. Paris in winter can be perfect for indoor attractions like champagne caves.

Making Day Trips Work With Your Paris Schedule

If you only have one day in Paris: Skip the day trips and focus on the capital. You’ll want every hour in the city.

For longer Paris visits: One or two day trips add perfect variety to your itinerary. They break up museum fatigue and give you a different perspective on French culture.

Transportation logistics: The Paris Metro system connects seamlessly to the main train stations. Plan extra time for connections, especially during rush hour.

Tour vs. Independent Day Trips from Paris

First, if you’re comfortable driving a stick-shift and/or driving in Paris at all, you have a lot more options. I don’t really love doing either of those things, so I prefer when the logistics are all taken care of for me. 

I also appreciate all of the knowledge a guide brings to the table. Yes, I can walk through the Normandy D-Day beaches on my own, but getting insight from a tour guide makes the whole experience far more meaningful.

The one exception here would be Versailles. It’s so simple to take the train down to Versailles from Paris (you can even book your metro ticket in advance). If you’re looking to do something on your own, this would be it.

Budget-Friendly Day Trip Tips

Train costs: Regional trains cost less than high-speed options. Book advance tickets when possible for significant savings.

Food strategy: Pack snacks for longer journeys. Local restaurants in smaller towns often offer better value than tourist areas.

Entrance fees: Many sites offer combo tickets. The Museum Pass in Paris covers some attractions like Versailles.

Day Trips from Paris: By Traveler Type

For first-time visitors: Start with Versailles. It’s the most accessible and gives you the classic French royal experience.

For repeat Paris visitors: Giverny or the Champagne region offer completely different experiences from typical tourist sites.

For history enthusiasts: Normandy D-Day beaches provide moving historical context you can’t get anywhere else.

For wine lovers: Reims and the Champagne region are obvious choices, but the experience goes well beyond just tastings.

For families: I’d go for Versailles or Giverny here. Lots to see and very close to Paris itself.

The best day trips from Paris give you experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else. Whether you’re sipping champagne in underground caves, walking through Monet’s actual garden, or standing where history was made on the Norman beaches, these escapes show you sides of France that even the most comprehensive Paris itinerary can’t match.

Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips from Paris

Day Trips from Paris: Your Next French Adventure Awaits

After years of exploring every corner of France from my Paris base, these day trips from Paris remain some of my favorite travel memories. There’s something magical about escaping the city’s energy and discovering the quieter, deeper side of French culture just a train ride away.

Whether you’re standing in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles imagining centuries of royal drama, wandering through Monet’s garden where his greatest masterpieces came to life, or raising a glass of champagne in the very caves where it was perfected, these experiences connect you to France in ways that staying in Paris alone simply can’t match.

My advice after all these years of French adventures: pick the destinations that genuinely excite you rather than checking boxes on a tourist list.

The trips that match your interests will be the ones you’re still talking about years later. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like discovering your own favorite corner of France just beyond the city limits.

Cheers to your next adventure 🇫🇷