7 Best Day Trips from Paris, France + Helpful Tips

When it comes to day trips from Paris, I’m very picky. There are always way too many activities on my Paris to-do list – and even more incredible Paris restaurants I want to try… So if I’m going to peel myself away from the city for a day trip, it better be good.

In this guide, I’ve covered my all-time favorite day trips from Paris – the ones I think are actually worth hopping on a train for.

Within an hour or two of Paris, you can wander the gilded halls of Versailles, sip bubbly in the chalk cellars of Champagne, or explore the regal castles of the Loire Valley. And if you’re willing to go a little further, the iconic tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel and the historic D-Day Beaches of Normandy make for long but unforgettable day trips, too. 

After six trips to Paris, I’ve narrowed down the day trips I actually recommend – whether you’re looking for history, art, food and wine, or beautiful scenery.

Read on for everything you need to know about the best day trips from Paris – including which guided tours are worth booking, how to get to each destination, and practical tips to make the most of your day trips from Paris.

A day trip to the Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) is on every first-timer’s Paris itinerary – as it should be! I’ve visited Versailles three times (so far), and there’s always more to see. 

In the 1620s, the Château de Versailles was nothing more than Louis XIII’s modest hunting lodge. But over the next century, successive French kings transformed it into an enormous palace of gold, marble, and gardens – the ultimate symbol of the monarchy’s overindulgent royal power.

You’ve probably heard of the grand Hall of Mirrors, but that’s only a fraction of what you’ll see. (Versailles houses 60,000 works of art, after all.) On a half-day trip, you can explore the gilded King and Queen’s State Apartments, the grand Royal Chapel, and the Gardens of Versailles.

If you have a full day, you can see the sprawling grounds by bike or golf cart – including the Grand Canal, two more palaces (the Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon), and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet (so strange; a must-see!).

During my last day trip, I booked this Palace & Estate Full-Day Bike Tour (with Picnic), and it’s now my favorite way to see Versailles. My husband and I love biking and picnics, so it was a perfect fit.

How to Take a Day Trip to Versailles from Paris

If it’s your first time visiting Versailles, I recommend booking a guided tour of Versailles. The Palace and Grounds of Versailles are massive, the crowds can be overwhelming, and getting “skip-the-line” timed-entry tickets in advance is non-negotiable.

My two favorite Versailles tours, plus everything you need to know about visiting independently:

• 3-Hour Palace & Gardens Small-Group Tour: If you’re short on time in Paris, this tour is the perfect half-day option. It includes the two must-sees (the Palace and Gardens), round-trip transportation, skip-the-line tickets, and an expert guide. Ideal for first-timers – this is what I booked the first time I went to Paris!
• Full-Day Palace & Estate Bike Tour (with Picnic): See the entire estate of Versailles in a day by bike. You’ll explore the Palace, Gardens, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet. You’ll even enjoy a lovely picnic lunch along the Grand Canal, which you’ll source from the Notre-Dame Market in Versailles. All tickets, a guide, and trains from Paris are included. This Full Estate tour is my favorite way to experience Versailles.
• Self-Guided Day Trip to Versailles: Purchase your timed-entry “Passport” ticket (ideally, for 9 AM) from the official Château de Versailles website two to three months in advance. They sell out! Then, plan out your day. What do you want to see? Where will you have lunch? Which train(s) will you take? On the day of your visit, take the train to Versailles with plenty of time to spare (you don’t want to miss your 30-minute ticket entry window!). My Versailles day trip guide covers all the must-know tips. 

MADDY’S NOTES: The Palace of Versailles is closed on Mondays! Weekends and Tuesdays are the busiest days to visit. If possible, aim for Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. 

READ MORE: How to Day Trip to Versailles from Paris: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Common Mistakes to Avoid

2. Mont Saint-Michel

Perched on a rocky tidal island between Normandy and Brittany, Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s most iconic sights.

Mont Saint-Michel has been a sacred place since the 8th century, when, according to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranches in a dream and told him to build a sanctuary here. Over the centuries, it was transformed into a Benedictine abbey, a medieval pilgrimage site, a fortress, and eventually a prison nicknamed the “Bastille of the Seas.”

Finally seeing this medieval island from afar, crowned by its towering Gothic abbey, was a surreal experience for me. But actually wandering the island’s tiny medieval village, climbing its steep cobblestone lanes, walking the ramparts, and exploring the abbey was even better. 

The day trip to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris is long. (And I do mean long… We’re talking almost 4 hours each way.) But if you’re short on time in France, and if you love medieval history and jaw-dropping architecture, it’s well worth it. This is one of the most popular day trips from Paris for a reason. 

How to Take a Day Trip to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris

For a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel, I recommend booking a guided tour, mainly because of how lengthy the journey is. You can nap there and back, and have a guide there to share all the history with you as you explore.

That said, you can take a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel on your own. It just requires a little extra planning. 

Best ways to visit Mont Saint-Michel from Paris:

• Small-Group Mont Saint-Michel Tour with Cider Tasting: For an intimate experience of Mont Saint-Michel, book this small-group tour that’s capped at 8 guests. It includes transportation by mini-van, skip-the-line tickets to the Abbey, and an expert guide. Normandy is famous for its apple and pear ciders – this tour also includes a tasting!
• Large-Group Mont Saint-Michel Tour: This cost-effective group tour includes transportation by bus, skip-the-line tickets, and a guide.
• Self-Guided Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel: Visiting the town of Mont Saint-Michel is free, but you’ll need to purchase timed-entry tickets to the Abbey. They sell out in peak season, so purchase them weeks in advance online. From Paris Montparnasse station, you can take a direct train to Pontorson – Le Mont-Saint-Michel station. From there, you’ll hop on the shuttle bus that’ll take you to the entrance of the town. You should book a combo train and shuttle ticket (see the timetable and prices here). Train fares go up as travel dates approach, so book ASAP!

MADDY’S TIP: Both tours include free time for lunch, but most of the restaurants and cafés on the island are tourist traps. After much deliberation, we had lunch at Au Pelerin (baguette sandwiches, pizza, and draft beer), and we were happy with it. If I went again, though, I’d curate a gourmet picnic in Paris and enjoy it in this grassy spot overlooking the Mont Saint-Michel footbridge.

3. D-Day Beaches of Normandy

For WWII history buffs, a day trip to the D-Day Beaches of Normandy is a must-do. Though actually, I’d argue it’s a must for everyone. Visiting these beaches, battlefields, museums, and cemeteries is an incredibly moving (and fascinating) experience. 

On June 6, 1944, D-Day, more than 150,000 Allied troops landed along this stretch of Normandy coastline in what became the largest seaborne invasion in history, beginning the liberation of Western Europe.

Today, you can visit historic sites like Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, climb through the German bunkers at Pointe du Hoc (a fortified clifftop overlooking the beaches), stroll the hauntingly beautiful Normandy American Cemetery that overlooks the English Channel, and visit interesting museums like the Utah Beach Museum and Operation Overlord Museum.

How to Take a Day Trip to Normandy from Paris

A guided tour is, by far, the best way to visit the D-Day Beaches of Normandy on a day trip from Paris.  

I considered doing this self-guided, but decided against it. On your own, you’d need to take a train to Normandy, rent a car for the day, and then drive between the beaches, bunkers, cemeteries, and museums – way too much hassle for a single day (and a long day at that).

Plus, the D-Day sites don’t explain themselves. In my experience, without a guide telling you the stories, pointing out key locations, and showing you historic photos and maps, you’d mostly just be looking at empty beaches, fields, and bunkers…

A good guide brings the context and history to life – explaining the strategy, chaos, mistakes, and impossible odds of D-Day. 

My top two picks for D-Day day trips from Paris:

• Normandy D-Day Sites & Cemetery Day Trip from Paris with Lunch: This tour includes round-trip transportation, an expert historian guide, and stops at Utah Beach (including admission to the Utah Beach Museum), the Pointe du Hoc battlefield, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. It also includes a two-course lunch and Norman cider at a Michelin-recommended restaurant called L’Estran… How fab is that? Especially for the price.
• Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip with Omaha Beach, Cemetery & Cider Tasting: This tour is capped at just eight guests, perfect if you want a more intimate experience. It includes visits to Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the Operation Overlord Museum, the Longues-sur-Mer battery, and the American Cemetery. And to finish, a cider-tasting at Ferme de la Sapiniere. Lunch is an extra expense, though.

MADDY’S NOTE: Have wiggle room in your France itinerary? Consider tacking on 2 or 3 nights in the medieval town of Bayeux, Normandy – just a quick train ride from Paris. From Bayeux, Mont Saint-Michel and dozens of D-Day and WWII sites and museums are within quick, easy reach. 

MADDY’S TIP: Wear comfy shoes and bring a jacket! Normandy’s coastal weather can be unpredictable, even in summer. We were nearly frozen by the whipping winds during our May visit!

4. Loire Valley

If you love gorgeous castles, regal gardens, French Renaissance history, and white wine, a day trip to the Loire Valley from Paris is impossible to beat.

This stunning UNESCO-listed region has it all – including more than 300 châteaux. Plus, I have to say, the Loire Valley produces some of the best wines in all of France.

It may not be the most popular option (Versailles takes the cake, of course), but the Loire Valley is my #1 recommendation for a day trip from Paris. I think it’s the most unforgettable, diverse, and lovely option.

It’s also only about two hours from Paris by car, so you can see a lot in a day… Like the magnificent Château de Chambord. And Chenonceau, too. The charming riverside town and château of Amboise. And maybe even a Loire Valley winery or two.

The only caveat is that the Loire Valley is huge, and the châteaux and wineries are spread throughout the countryside. You can’t just hop off a train and wander between castles. So booking a guided tour from Paris – with a driver and all entry tickets included – is non-negotiable. 

Best Loire Valley Tours from Paris

Here are my top picks for day trips to the Loire Valley from Paris. You just need to decide: do you want your day to focus mainly on castles, mainly on wine, or a mix of both?

• Loire Valley Wine and Castles Small-Group Day Trip: This small-group tour includes visits to three of the Loire Valley’s most iconic châteaux, Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise. Then, you’ll have free time for lunch in Amboise (own expense) – I recommend Chez Bruno – followed by a quick wine-tasting experience. This is the best all-rounder option.
• Loire Wine Day Trip with Chambord Castle, Lunch, and 6 Tastings: If you want a wine-focused day trip (including tastings of 6+ different cuvées), choose this tour! Capped at 8 travelers, this small-group tour includes a visit to Chambord, a traditional French lunch with wine pairings (at a winery or gourmet restaurant), and a wine-tasting masterclass at a family-run winery. This is my top choice!
• Loire Valley Castles Day Trip: This large-group tour is the most cost-effective way to day-trip to the Loire Valley. It includes visits to Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau, and free time for lunch (own expense) in the beautiful, historic town of Blois.

5. Champagne (Reims & Épernay)

I added an extra day to my recent Paris itinerary specifically for the Champagne Region, and I have no idea why it took me six trips to Paris to finally do it!

If you love sparkling wine, beautiful scenery, and good food, a Champagne day trip from Paris is a must.

Between the vineyards and tiny villages, historic Champagne houses, underground chalk cellars, and the beautiful towns of Reims and Épernay, there’s much more to the region than just Champagne tastings. Though, of course, you’ll drink plenty of Champagne. 

If this is your first trip to Paris, make sure you have at least three full days in the city before sacrificing a day for Champagne. (And really, that advice goes for all of the full-day trips covered in this guide.)

That said, I think this day trip is well worth leaving Paris for. Just know that it’s a long day! My tour started around 7 AM and lasted about 12 hours.

How to Take a Day Trip to Champagne from Paris

A self-guided day trip to Champagne is doable. Just decide if you’ll train to Reims or Épernay (in my opinion, visiting both in one day is too much without a car/driver). Then book your train tickets, Champagne house tours and tastings, and lunch reservations in advance.

I booked this small-group Champagne tour from Paris because it covered all of the highlights of Champagne in a day, without any logistics stress. 

Three ways to take a day trip to Champagne:

• Small-Group Champagne Day Trip: I booked this tour and highly recommend it! We had a Champagne breakfast in Reims (own expense), a stop at the magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims, lunch in charming Épernay (own expense), a stroll along the iconic Avenue de Champagne, a quick stop at the historic Hautvillers Abbey and Dom Pérignon’s tomb, stops at scenic vineyard viewpoints, and, most importantly, in-depth tours and generous tastings at two great Champagne houses!
• Private Champagne Day Trip: Special occasion? Champagne fanatic? This option includes tastings at Champagne houses (including Pommery or Veuve Clicquot), a gourmet lunch, and Reims Cathedral.
• Self-Guided Day Trip to Champagne: The easiest way to visit Champagne independently? Take an early train from Paris to Reims. Then, on foot (or by quick taxi), you can visit famous Champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, or Ruinart (make reservations in advance), explore the Reims Cathedral, and enjoy lunch in town. You can also book a fun, interactive Champagne tasting workshop in Reims. My Champagne day trip guide covers all the must-know tips. 

READ MORE: Day Trip to Champagne from Paris: How-To Guide & Best Tours

6. Claude Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny

If you love art and gardens, Claude Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny is one of the easiest (and most charming) day trips you can take from Paris. 

Claude Monet called this tiny Norman village home for more than 40 years (1883 to 1926). Today, you can wander through his stunning pink-and-green house, see his kitchen, art workshop, and private rooms, and glimpse into the his everyday life.

The highlight, though, is Monet’s gardens – his greatest source of inspiration. They’re particularly spectacular in late spring and early summer, when hundreds of species of flowers are in bloom…

The flower gardens burst with color, and the famous Japanese-inspired water garden is filled with waterlilies – you know, the one with the green bridge that appears over and over again in his work? (The water garden reminded me of the stunning gardens I strolled in Kanazawa, Japan!)

How to Take a Day Trip to Giverny from Paris

Unlike most of the day trips on this list, Giverny only requires a half-day, and it’s super easy to visit on your own. That said, you can also book a Giverny group tour if you don’t want to deal with transportation.

Two best ways to visit Giverny from Paris:

• Self-Guided Day Trip to Giverny: From Paris Gare Saint-Lazare, take the train to Vernon-Giverny. From there, you’ll have to hop on the Giverny shuttle (€10 roundtrip) – you can also walk or take a scenic bike ride along the “Seine à Vélo” path. Try to book your entry tickets one to two weeks in advance from the official Maison et Jardins de Claude Monet website. Tickets are on sale on-site, too (if not already sold out), though the lines can be extremely long in high season. 
• Giverny Monet’s Home and Gardens Half-Day Tour: This large-group tour includes round-trip transportation, skip-the-line tickets to Monet’s house and gardens, and free time in the charming town of Giverny. It also has the option to add on Versailles for a two-in-one full-day tour. A great option for first-timers to Paris!

MADDY’S NOTE: Monet’s Home and Gardens are closed every winter. You can only visit between April 1st and November 1st.

7. Dijon

Beyond mustard, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy. But I was blown away by every little detail. The medieval half-timber buildings. The incredible Burgundian wines. The ridiculous variety of mustards. The boeuf bourguignon. And the city’s enchanting streets. 

To me, Dijon is one of the most underrated day trips from Paris – and the best one to do independently, without a guide. Just show up, eat, drink, wander, enjoy…

From Paris Gare de Lyon, you can take the high-speed TGV train to Dijon-Ville station in just 1.5 hours. And since the city is small and walkable, you can see all the highlights in a day!

In Dijon, I recommend:

• Walking along the Owl’s Trail to see the historic highlights of Dijon
• Taking this Burgundy Wines Masterclass with a Sommelier – this was the highlight of our trip to Dijon. A must-do!
• Mustard-tasting (for free!) at La Boutique Maille and La Moutarderie Edmond Fallot
• Browsing the Halles de Dijon, the traditional food market
• Visiting the beautiful main square, Place de la Libération

Alternatively, you can plan to visit the nearby town of Beaune, to access more Burgundy wine tours!

Final Thoughts: The Best Day Trips from Paris

You could spend two weeks in Paris and never run out of things to do (or Paris cooking classes to take!). But if you at least three full days in Paris, and more time in your schedule, getting out of the city will add a completely different dimension to your France trip.

For first-timers, a half-day at Versailles is non-negotiable. But if you have more time, I’d choose the Loire Valley for castles and white wine (my top pick!), Champagne for bubbly, Dijon for food and Burgundian reds, Giverny for art and beautiful gardens, or Mont Saint-Michel if medieval architecture is your thing.

And if you’re a World War II history buff, don’t skip the D-Day Beaches of Normandy. It’s one of the most meaningful day trips you can take from Paris.

FAQs About Day Trips from Paris