12 amazing Day trips from Paris

Paris is one of our favorite cities in Europe and had the opportunity to visit a handful of times. It’s just one of those cities that you will instantly fall in love with.

But if you have a few extra days, I suggest venturing out and see what else the country has to offer. There are so many amazing places to see, some just a few hours drive from the city.

On the blog, I will share some amazing day trips from Paris. Some are less than an hour away, while a few are the perfect day trip ideas from Paris.

Read about our top things to do in Paris here. I share some of the cities main attractions.

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Day trips from Paris less than an hour away

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Disneyland Paris 

One of the best day trip ideas from Paris, especially for kids is a visit to Disneyland Paris. There’s nothing like visiting the happiest place on earth in Paris!

Hearing your favorite Disney songs sung in French and English, is so amazing! Of course it’s nothing like Disneyworld, (it’s a much smaller park) and can easily be done on a day trip, but fun nonetheless!

The best part is how easy it is to get to from Paris. It’s an easy train ride on the RER A train, straight into the main entrance into the parks! 

Read more in our Utimate Guide to Disneyland Paris here

Versailles, France 

Another must see place that’s less than an hours drive, (or a short train ride) is the city of Versailles. A visit to Versailles is the perfect day trip from Paris if you only have an extra day.

Home to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, this is an awesome day trip from Paris. If you get here by train, it’s a short walk to get to the Palace grounds.

Once you make it to Versailles, be prepared for long lines. Unless you purchase tickets in advance, the queue to enter the palace can take up to a few hours.

When you do finally get to enter the Palace, prepare to be amazed by its opulence and grandeur, it’s so stunningly beautiful!

 You can also skip the palace tour and go directly to the gardens, which is free to enter. The Gardens are massive and absolutely beautiful.

You can easily spend a whole day here exploring the grounds. There is so much to see, and I recommend staying a night if you want to visit the smaller places throughout the gardens!

Read more about our visit to Versaille here. I share some tips to make the most of your visit.

Day trips from Paris about two hours away

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Rouen,France 

You can’t miss a drive through the Normandy region of France, it’s one of our favorite day trips from Paris.

Normandy is home to so many towns bursting with medieval charm and history. Rouen is definitely one of those cities full of history.

Not only will you be charmed with it’s cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, but the history here is amazing.

 You can visit the actual spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, and the church that now stands in place there. Such a beautiful city and is definitely worth a visit! 

Read about our visit to Rouen France here

Epernay, France

If you have a few extra days in Paris, take a road trip through the Champagne region.

The views as you drive through the region is just breathtaking, with grapevines as far as the eye can see! It was truly stunning.

 And since your in the region, you have to visit a champagne house. We visited Moet and Chandon in Epernay, which is the champagne capital of the world and did an awesome tour.

We learned the process of making this famous bubbly and got to sample a few glasses at the end, which was so much fun!

Read our blog for more on our tour of Moët and Chandon.

Day trips from Paris about three hours away

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Honfleur, France

Honfleur should definitely be on your bucket list. This famous harbor and its city is absolutely beautiful!

Famous impressionist painters such as Monet have painted the famous harbor scene, and it’s no wonder they were inspired.

The beautiful boats against the backdrop of the gorgeous townhomes was just stunning! This is one of the best day trips from Paris!

Read our blog for more on Honfleur here!

Etretat, France

Etretat is another one of the best day trips from Paris. This stunning coastline in the Normandy region is just breathtakingly gorgeous!

You would never think to find turquoise waters in Northern France. Etretat is known for its white chalk cliffs, and it’s striking rock formations! This should definitely be on your bucket list.

Read our blog on our visit to Etretat.

Caen, France 

Caen is another one of those medieval towns in the Normandy region. As you take a stroll around the city you will come across old medieval fortresses, and Abbeys.

One in particular is the Abbaye aux Hommes, which is so beautiful and kind of reminded me of Hogwarts! One highlight of this Abbey is the tomb of William the Conqueror.

Read more about Caen on our Normandy blog.

Day trips less than four hours away 

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Normandy beaches and War sites

One of our favorite day trips from Paris was the Normandy Region. We are big history buffs, so this was a bucket list experience for us!

Getting to visit the Normandy American Memorial Cemetery, the D-Day beaches, and World War 2 sites was amazing

One of the highlights was our visit to Point du Hoc and seeing the landscape littered with bomb craters and bunkers. It was such an eye opening experience, and one we won’t soon forget!

We also enjoyed watching the sunset over Omaha Beach. It’s such a beautiful place and hard to imagine there was once a war fought in the area

We have also visited a few American Memorial Cemeteries in Europe. One of our most memorable visit was to the Aisne-Marne Memorial Cemetery during the Memorial Day weekend. The sea of US flags along the tombs was just so amazing.

Read our road trip through Normandy for more on our visit to the World War II sites.

Nancy, France

Nancy, France is one of those underrated cities, but I highly recommend a visit to this regal city. 

Nancy is known for it’s late baroque and art nouveau landmarks, which rivals those in Paris.

It was one of the most surprising places that we visited in France that you should definitely add to your must see day trips from Paris.

One of the highlights of Nancy France is the stunning Place Stanislas.

This grand square, decorated with gilded wrought-iron gates and rococo fountains, is just gorgeous. Its the perfect place to sit in a cafe and people watch.

Another highlight in Nancy France is the medieval old town. The place is surrounded by ornate palaces and churches, with charming streets and alleyways.

We loved strolling the streets and finding cute little shops, while admiring the beautiful architecture.

Read more about Nancy, France on our blog.

Brugge, Belgium

Take a day trip to Brugge, one of the few Medieval towns in Belgium that have never been destroyed.

It’s almost like time stood still here and most of the historic churches and buildings are still intact. 

Take a boat cruise on the canal and admire all the beautiful architecture and learn more about the history.

Make sure to sample some of Belgium’s world class chocolates, beers, frites and waffles, they’re worth visiting the country over and over!

Read our blog for more on Brugge, Belgium.

Day trips from Paris about four hours away 

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Mont Saint Michel 

One place worth seeing is the amazing Mont Saint Michel. Mont Saint Michel is about a four hour drive, but so worth it! This is one of the most stunning places we’ve ever seen.

You can easily take a bus tour from Paris, or rent a car and drive yourself, the drive is just amazing.

One of the highlights of this place is the amazing Abbey that sits on a floating island.

Mont Saint Michel was once a famous pilgrimage site. The idea of building a church on the island was conceived in a dream by the Bishop who was instructed to build a church by the Archangel Michael.

The island is truly stunning and is a must see when planning a trip to France!

Read more on our visit to Mont Saint Michel on the blog

Alsace Region, France

Now the Alsace region is probably best as a weekend trip from Paris.

There are so many bus tours that can take you to these charming villages that inspired the Beauty and the Beast movies. 

I recommend staying at least a day if you have the time to soak in the beauty of this Region. 

We have been to Strasbourg, Riquewihr, Colmar and Ribeauville and they all have one thing in common, pure charm and fairytale!

The cobblestone streets, colorful half-timbered houses, flowers and vineyards just adds to the magic and beauty of this region. It’s just absolutely stunning and you will never want to leave!

Read more about our trip to the Alsace region of France 

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