Day Trips From Paris by Car and Train + Map 🇫🇷

Paris is iconic, no doubt,  but sometimes, you just need a break from the buzz and baguette queues. Whether you’re craving castles, coastlines, vineyards or fairytale towns, here are the best day trips from Paris, all doable in a day (or a long lazy one at that). Let’s roll:

📍 Versailles – 45 min by train or car 👑
Chandeliers, fountains, and extra at every turn. The Palace of Versailles is the definition of French opulence. Don’t skip the gardens, they’re a whole vibe on their own.

📍 Fontainebleau – 1 hour by train or car 🌳🏰
Lush forests for a wander, and a château that gives Versailles a run for its money. History lovers and nature fans, this one’s a dream.

📍 Giverny – 1 hour 15 min by car (train + shuttle option too) 🎨🌸
Monet’s garden IRL? Yes please. Stroll through the lily ponds and pastel-blush blooms that inspired his masterpieces.

📍 Provins – 1 hour 25 min by train 🏰🛡️
Medieval town magic with towers, ramparts, and falconry shows. It’s like stepping onto a Game of Thrones set, minus the dragons (sadly).

📍 Reims – 45 min by train, 1.5 hours by car 🍾⛪
Champagne central! Tour the cellars, toast with bubbles, and check out the stunning Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned.

📍 Chartres – 1 hour by train 🕯️🏛️
An underrated gem with one of the most impressive cathedrals in France. Stay for the light show if you’re around in the evening, it’s seriously enchanting.

📍 Auvers-sur-Oise – 45 min by train 🎨🌻
Van Gogh spent his final months painting here, and you’ll see why. Fields, charm, and loads of artistic soul.

📍 Château de Chantilly – 1 hour by train or car 🐎🍦
Think fairytale château, creamy Chantilly whipped cream (yes, the real deal), and a horse museum. Seriously.

📍 Rouen – 1.5 hours by train 🕰️⚓
Half-timbered houses, Joan of Arc history, and a clock tower that’s older than your Airbnb host. Culture-packed and quaint AF.

📍 Amiens – 1 hour 15 min by train 🚤🪷
France’s Venice of the North? Yup. Float through hortillonnages (floating gardens), ogle the towering cathedral, and enjoy small-town peace.

📍 Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte – 1 hour by car (or RER + taxi) 🕯️🌙
A baroque beauty that inspired Versailles. Go on a Saturday night for the candlelit evenings — trust me, it’s full-on magical.

📍 Barbizon – 1 hour by car 🌲🖌️
An artists’ village on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest. Rustic, romantic, and full of painterly charm.

📍 Orléans – 1 hour 10 min by train ⚔️🏞️
Walk in Joan of Arc’s footsteps and explore this Loire-side city filled with cute cafés and riverside chill spots.

📍 Château de Pierrefonds – 1.5 hours by car 🏰🧙
This one looks straight out of a fantasy film (and actually was, hello, Merlin fans). Less crowded, more wow-factor.

📍 Chantilly Forest – 1 hour by train or car 🌲🚶
Perfect for long walks, horseback riding, or a lazy forest picnic. Pair it with the château if you’re feeling ambitious.

📍 Meaux – 45 min by train 🧀🥖
Brie fans, this is your holy land. Tour the cheese museum, taste the goods, and roll home full and happy.

📍 Étretat – 2.5 hours by car (longer by train, but doable) 🌊⛰️
Okay, a longer one — but totally worth it. Dramatic white cliffs, sea breezes, and views that’ll make your camera cry.

📍 Beauvais – 1 hour 20 min by train ⛪🪄
Massive Gothic cathedral, quirky architecture, and fewer tourists. Off the beaten path, but full of character.

📍 Compiègne – 1 hour by train 🏛️🚴‍♂️
Napoleon’s hangout spot with a royal palace, forest trails, and a touch of grandeur without the crowds.

📍 Domaine de Sceaux – 30 min by RER 🚶‍♀️🌼
Like a mini-Versailles without the madness. Locals love it, and the park is perfect for picnics or lazy walks.

🚄 Ideal Time: One fab day – or stretch it to two for the far-flung faves

🎯 Why Go: Art, castles, cheese, forests, and fizz (yes, in that order)

🧺 Pack: Snacks, power bank, comfy shoes, and a camera roll with plenty of space.