3 Amazing Day Trips from Paris
As someone who has visited Paris six times and still finds new things to love every trip, I’ll be the first to say the city lives up to the hype. But that doesn’t mean you need to stay inside the Périphérique the entire time. Some of the best parts of France are just beyond the city limits, and a well-planned day trip can give your Paris itinerary a lot more depth (and sometimes, a lot less crowd).
Whether you’re into royal drama, Impressionist gardens, or champagne before noon, these three day trips from Paris all take less than an hour by train and are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
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A Must-Do Day trip from Paris: The palace of Versailles
Versailles is the classic day trip from Paris, and honestly, it’s one of the few that actually lives up to the hype. Between the gold-trimmed palace, the endless gardens, the pastel-hued Trianons, and Marie Antoinette’s very extra version of a countryside village, there’s more than enough to fill a full day.
Getting there:
The easiest way to get there is by RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche. The trip takes around 40 minutes, and the station is about a 10-minute walk from the palace gates. You can also take a city bus, but it’s slower and involves a transfer, so the train is your best bet. Just double-check your route and make sure you’re not headed to Versailles-Chantiers unless you’re up for a longer walk.
If you only do one day trip from Paris, this should be it. I’ve written a detailed guide to visiting Versailles from Paris with everything you need to know: train logistics, timed tickets, where to eat, and all the little pro tips that make a difference once you’re there.
Best Tours from Paris to Versailles
If you’d rather have everything planned for you (which I completely understand) check out these fantastic tour options for a Paris to Versailles day trip:
A Beautiful Countryside Day trip from Paris: Monet’s House and Garden in Giverny
If you want a day trip that feels completely different from Paris but still has that quintessential French charm, Giverny is a strong contender. This postcard-perfect village in Normandy is where Claude Monet lived and painted for decades, and his house and gardens are open to the public from spring through early fall. The flower beds are impossibly colorful, the lily pond is instantly recognizable, and the whole place gives you a better appreciation for Impressionism than any museum ever could. It’s beautiful, and very manageable as a half- or full-day trip.
Getting there:
Giverny is about 45 minutes from Paris by train, plus a short shuttle ride or a walk from the station in Vernon. You can also drive or book a guided tour if you’d rather skip the planning.
I wrote a guest post with everything you need to plan the perfect Giverny day trip over on Craving Adventure. It includes train logistics, the best times to go, what to expect when you arrive, and all the pro tips I wish I had known in advance.
Gourmand Day Trip from Paris: Sip and Savor in the Champagne Region
How to Get to the Champagne Region from Paris:
By Train:
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- SNCF Train: Take a train from Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims. The ride takes about 45 minutes. From there, Épernay is about 30 minutes away by regional train, and Hautvillers is a quick taxi ride or short drive from Épernay.
- Cost: A round-trip ticket costs around €30-€40.
- Tip: Book your tickets in advance for the best rates, especially if you’re planning to go on a weekend or holiday when tickets can sell out. You can book through the SNCF app, at the train station, or online here.
By Car:
- Rental Car: Driving to the Champagne region gives you the flexibility to explore multiple vineyards and towns. The drive from Paris to Reims takes about 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Expect to pay around €50-€70 per day for a rental car.
Things to Do in Reims
- Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims: Start your day with a visit to this stunning Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned.
- Cost: Entry is free, but donations are appreciated.
- Champagne Houses: Visit renowned champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery for tours and tastings.
- Cost: Tours and tastings usually range from €20-€50 per person, depending on the champagne house.
Things to do in Épernay:
- Avenue de Champagne: This famous street is home to some of the world’s most prestigious champagne producers, including Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët.
- Champagne Tastings: Enjoy guided tours and tastings at these iconic houses.
- Cost: Tours and tastings typically range from €20-€70 per person.
Things to do in Hautvillers:
- Birthplace of Champagne: Visit the picturesque village where Dom Pérignon is said to have invented champagne.
- Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers: Explore the abbey and its vineyards.
- Cost: Entry to the abbey is free, but guided tours may have a fee.
Pro Tips for a day trip from Paris to the Champagne Region:
- Book in Advance: Many champagne houses require reservations for tours and tastings, so book ahead to ensure availability so you’re not disappointed on arrival.
- Designated Driver: If you’re driving, be sure to have a designated driver or take advantage of local tour companies that offer transportation.
Best Champagne Tasting Tours in Reims
Another great option is to book a Champagne tasting tour so all you have to do is hop on the train to Reims. Transportation to and from Reims and tasting are generally included in the price. Here are some fantastic options:
Best Day Tours from Paris to the Champagne Region:
If you’d rather have a done-for-you adventure from Paris to the Champagne region so you don’t have to worry about anything but sipping champagne (which I completely understand) here are some great options:
Why Day Trips from Paris Are Totally Worth It
As much as I love Paris (and I really do), even the most iconic city needs a little contrast. A day away gives you space to breathe, scenery that’s not Haussmann gray, and a deeper look at what France has to offer beyond the capital. Whether you’re walking through royal history in Versailles, losing track of time in Monet’s garden, or sipping bubbly in Champagne, each of these day trips from Paris adds something unforgettable to your itinerary.
So if you’ve got an extra day or two, step out of the city. Paris will still be there when you get back waiting to impress you all over again.