Top Day Trips From Paris

There are plenty of high-quality day trips from Paris to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Day Trip with Cider Tasting & Lunch from Paris
• Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip with Omaha Beach, Cemetery & Cider Tasting
• Versailles Bike Tour with Market, Gardens & Guided Palace Tour
• Versailles Best of Domain Skip-the-Line Access Day Tour with Lunch from Paris
• Champagne Day Trip with 6 Tastings, Reims and Winery from Paris

Yes. Paris is the main hub of northern France and is well-connected by road and rail to several top attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and neighboring countries. Whether you want to see Mont-St-Michel, tour the Palace of Versailles, or spend a day at Disneyland Paris, guided day trips take care of all the logistics, so you can maximize your time and minimize the stress.

Paris is very accessible by train, and you can easily hop across the French border to countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Popular day-trip destinations include the Belgian cities of Brussels and Bruges, as well as Luxembourg City. You can even ride the Eurostar train to England and spend a day sightseeing in London.

Yes. Day trips to Belgium from Paris are a popular choice, and Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent are all great destinations for day-trippers. There are no direct trains to Bruges, so a guided day tour is often the most convenient way to explore. Full-day tours typically include round-trip transport by minivan or private vehicle, a walking tour of the medieval Old Town, and a cruise along the picturesque canals. Some longer day tours also combine Bruges with Ghent or Brussels.

Yes, it’s possible to visit Mont-St-Michel on a day trip from Paris, although it’s a long day. The famous island monastery between Normandy and Brittany is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s most photographed landmarks. Day trips from Paris are usually around 14 hours long and include round-trip transport by bus, train, or private vehicle. Some tours also combine it with a visit to Normandy’s D-Day beaches or the white cliffs at Étretat.

Yes, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris, and it’s absolutely worth visiting. It’s also one of the closest attractions to Paris, just 40 minutes by RER train or less than an hour by car. Day trips are a convenient way to visit, often combining round-trip transport with a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed palace and access to the equally magnificent gardens, home to Marie-Antoinette’s Trianon.

Paris has rail connections to cities across France and beyond, so there are plenty of great day trips by train. Hop on the RER or TER (regional trains), and you can be at the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland Paris, or Monet’s House in Giverny within an hour. Or take the TGV (high-speed intercity train) to Tours or Blois in the Loire Valley, the Champagne capital of Reims, or the Belgian capital of Brussels. For the ultimate day trip by train, ride the Eurostar from Paris to London—a less than 2.5-hour journey that takes you right under the English Channel.

Paris day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Day at Giverny Monet Foundation & Shopping at McArthurGlen Center
• Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle Day Trip With Château Bus Shuttle
• Palace of Versailles and Gardens by Bus From Paris
• Hiking Adventure in Van Gogh’s Footsteps With 6-Mile Walk
• Giverny Monet’s Gardens Entrance Ticket With Transport From Paris

There are so many options for day-trip options from Paris that there’s truly something for everyone. Start by narrowing your choices to one or two must-sees, then choose the best fit based on your budget and timeframe. Be sure to check the tour duration, as they can range from four hours for nearby attractions to 14–18 hours for far-flung destinations. Self-guided train transfers and shuttle buses can be a big money-saver, as can tours that combine multiple attractions in one day. However, small-group and private tours offer a much more personalized experience—plus you’ll benefit from guided commentary along the way.

If you’re short on time, it’s best to stick to day trips within the Île-de-France, France’s capital region. Walk in the footsteps of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette at the Palace of Versailles, go shopping at La Vallée Village outlet mall, or spend a day riding roller coasters and meeting your favorite Disney characters at Disneyland Paris—both just a 40-minute train ride away. Other popular day trips within an hour of central Paris include Monet’s House in Giverny, the Château de Fontainebleau and Park, and the Château de Chantilly.

Paris and its surrounding areas are popular with tourists, who come year-round. Summer (June–August) is generally the best time to book day trips from Paris as the weather is good. Spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) also offer good weather but fewer tourists. Some day-trip destinations are preferable in warmer weather, such as the beaches of Normandy and Monet’s gardens at Giverny.

Disneyland Paris tops the list of family days out, with amusement rides, parades, and endless Disney-themed entertainment, just a 40-minute train ride from central Paris. For family-friendly day tours that appeal across generations, Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, the Palace of Versailles, and the Fontainebleau Forest all have scenic walking trails and interactive activities for kids, especially in the summer months.

Yes. While first-time travelers make a beeline for the Palace of Versailles and Monet’s Gardens, why not beat the crowds by exploring the fairy-tale Chateau de Chantilly or the Van Gogh House in Auvers-sur-Oise instead? Other day trips from Paris that often fly under the radar for tourists include the Champagne capital of Épernay, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval town of Provins, and the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.