Paris is incredibly beautiful, no two ways about it.
However, especially if you are on a longer trip to the City of Light, it is a great idea to wiggle in a few trips in your itinerary to have a relaxing day out into the French countryside – from Parisian suburbs, to historic towns and chateaus and even up to the Normandy coast.
The BusinessClass.com Guide to the 10 Best Day Trips from Paris:
If the bubbly flute of Champagne features regularly (or not so regularly) in your diet, you must make space in your Paris itinerary for a day trip to the Champagne region to get to know the nuanced subtleties of the world famous sparkling drink in its homeland.
The good news is that Reims, the capital of Champagne country, is only about 45 minutes away from the French capital. Hop on a train or book yourself a spot in any of the organised tours, and embark on a short ride to vine-covered hills, picturesque valleys and charming woodlands of the beautiful province where you have a go the celebrated beverage in one-on-one private tasting sessions in family-run champagne houses. Sip and swirl and let your palate have a field day with the legendary Moet & Chandon, Bollinger, Mumm or Perrier Jouet. And top up the experience with a visit to the subterranean cellars where champagne is aged in oak barrels.
The RER C-train takes you to the Chateau Rive Gauche station, from where a 120-minute walk reaches you one of the world’s most luxurious palaces that was ever built – the Versailles. An old hunting pavilion of French royalty, it was metamorphosed into a sprawling, opulent palace by King Loius XIV, who started to operate his court and government from here in 1682 thus turning it into the de facto capital of France. Since then, Versailles has been an integral part of French and European history, and today stands as a grand repository of a chequered past etched in its grandiose apartments, the elegant marble buildings of The Grand Trianon and the spectacularly landscaped gardens.
And the highlight of your Versailles day trip would be the historic Hall of Mirrors that epitomises the political and artistic achievements of France through the series of paintings on its vaulted ceilings. The sheer artistry and grandeur of this linear grand chamber, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, officially ending World War I, is simply mind-blowing. Time your visit in the opening hours or towards closing time as the place can get very busy around midday.
Disney magic arrived in Europe with the opening of Euro Disney in the early 1990s, and gradually blossomed into today’s Disneyland Paris. Located 32 km east of Paris, the entertainment zone is in Chessy, and its two theme parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. The former recreates the eternal magic realism in a fairy-tale setting, where classic Disney tales and Star Wars legends are brought to life.
From embarking on an intergalactic expedition to heading out to an adventure-filled Wild West, and from setting sail with a squad of Caribbean pirates to joining Aladdin on the magical streets of Agrabah, this is your field day in a world full of fantasy, thrill and adventure like nowhere else. And the super creative zones of the Walt Disney Studios Park hold out another prismatic universe for you with their fun-filled, immersive experiences of Disney animated classics, and you can also be part of an epic mission of the Avengers or set foot in the vibrant Pixar Land.
Loire valley is synonymous with things quintessentially French – chateau, rolling expanse of emerald countryside, haute cuisine and of course, delectable wine. A full day trip from Paris takes you to the heart of Loire valley, into the deep recesses of the historic Château de Chambord steeped in history and heritage, where the Da Vinci-designed staircase will transport you to medieval grandeur. The royal château of Blois that was the residence of Count of Blois is the next pitstop, where Joan of Arc is said to have visited in 1429 before departing with her army to fight the English army. The rectangular edifice represents different architectural styles through the four centuries over which it was built – from the early medieval fortress to its classical-style wing that dates to the 17th century.
Château de Chenonceau, spanning across River Cher, with its beautiful gardens and original interiors is further up the valley, after which you can end your beautiful daytrip with an elaborate wine-tasting session.
Boulogne-Billancourt
Dotted with leafy parklands and serene lakes, Boulogne-Billancourt is a tranquil oasis, just 10 kms. away from the heart of Paris. One of the closest Paris suburbs, Boulogne-Billancourt was landscaped in the mid-1800s with its series of gardens filled with artificial grottoes and waterfalls, an orangery that comes alive with the sound of music on summer evenings, and seasonal flowers spruce the place up with their hues and fragrance. And when you have immersed yourself into the heart of the commune with lazy strolls around these emerald havens, indulge the art fiend in you exploring the three museums here.
For lovers of the Art Déco period, the curated collection of art and sculpture from the 1930s, including modernist installation art and avant-garde designs and graphic art, in the Musée des Années 30 is a must-visit. Nestled inside the 18th -century Château Buchillot, is the Musée Paul-Belmondo that houses an extensive collection of works of Paul Belmondo, who was one of France’s most important 20th-century sculptors. The third museum - Albert Kahn Musée & Jardins – is reason alone to make this day trip for its ensemble of spectacular gardens modelled on gardens from around the world – from the classical British to the contemporary Japanese. A fantastic collection of films and photographs taken across 60 countries is permanently on show inside the museum and the star attraction of Boulogne-Billancourt.
Less than two hours from Paris, the charming “chocolate-box” town of Chartres in the picturesque Loire Valley is an easy day-out, whether you choose to take the train from Gare Montparnasse or opt to rent a car to drive through the countryside. With its warren of cobblestone streets, beautiful squares and quaint half-timbered houses, Chartres is one of the most popular day trips from the French capital. The impeccably-preserved 13th-century Chartres Cathedral, long acclaimed as one of the most beautiful and historically significant cathedrals of Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, houses some of the most spectacular stained glass windows.
The cathedral’s famous labyrinth is said to represent the pilgrim's quest to the holy land and you can engage yourself in a prayer walk when you are there. Next to the Chartres Cathedral is the Museum of Fine Arts, a 17th-century mansion that has a fine collection of early medieval art and Renaissance paintings. A 15-minute bus ride from the cathedral is La Maison Picassiette – a 1930s fairy-tale cottage made of millions of pieces of crockery, broken glasses, bottle caps compiled into quirky murals and mosaics. This was the handiwork of Raymond Isidore, who worked for 30 years to singlehandedly metamorphose his small cottage into a living museum.
Hop on a direct suburban line train from Gare de Lyon in Central Paris to the quiet and quaint town of Fontainebleau and its stunning Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of France's greatest palaces, the chateau became a favourite residence and hunting lodge of the French monarchs because of the abundant game and number of springs in the surrounding forest.
It is unique in the built heritage of France because with this castle the Renaissance style was introduced to France when in the 15th century the Cour Ovale, or oval courtyard, was built on the foundations of the old castle. It included the monumental Porte Dorée, as its southern entrance, as well as a huge Renaissance stairway, the Portique de Serlio, which directly accessed the imperial apartments. The best thing about the chateau, which was once used as a base by Napoleon and where popes have stayed, is you can plan a self-guided exploration at your own pace. Do not miss the landscaped royal gardens, with its beautiful fountains and tree-lined boulevards that don an other-worldly beauty during autumn.
Giverny
If you consider yourself a fan of Claude Monet and his iconic impressionist paintings, you must head out to Giverny. Located about 80 kilometers from Paris, Giverny is a charming village. It was here that Claude Monet spent his life and harboured his penchant for painting, gardening and photography. Donated by his son to the Academy of Fine Arts in 1966, the house and the gardens preserve the trails of the celebrated 19th-century artist where he set his easels to create his masterpieces on canvas. After spending his formative years his Paris, Monet relocated to this house in 1883, where he believed the natural light would better suit his creative process and went on to create his world-renowned series of water lilies.
The best time to visit the estate is in spring for the blossoming apple and cherry tree, or in July when the famous water lilies are in full blomm. The autumnal shades are beautiful too. The best way to enjoy the daytrip to Giverny would be to book a trip or to drive down to this little town from Paris.
Steeped in history, Mont St. Michel is one of the most spectacular sites in all of France that transports you back in time. It takes a little over 3 hours from Paris to reach this commune on the border of Brittany and Normandy. The majestic abbey, perched on a tidal island approximately one kilometre off the north-western coast of France, at the mouth of the Couesnon River, is simply a surreal affair, especially during high tides, when it seems to float on the water in the magical light. Enshrouded with this mystique beauty and more than-thousand year history, this is a major tourist draw.
A towering building of Romanesque architecture with huge courtyards, grand halls and ramparts, the abbey looks more like an impregnable citadel. The climb up the steep, narrow and cobblestoned pathways includes its fair share of steps and you will do well to sport a sturdy pair of walking shoes. A walk along the ramparts is rewarding with stunning vistas. And if you need to refuel yourself after a few hours of exploring the abbey, head over to La Mère Poulard, located close to the King’s Gate, renowned for its incredibly delicious omelettes.
Another excellent option for a day trip from Paris is Rouen, the capital of Normandy. Located just 1.5 hour away from the French capital, Rouen is a world away from it with its medieval Norman-inspired houses, a historic town centre with monuments reminiscent of the Hundred Years War, and splendid Gothic architecture. For history buffs, the quaint town is a treasure trove with a chequered and weathered past – this was under English occupation under Henry V and later excommunication of the British monarch.
The town served as the Kriegsmarine headquarters during the German occupation, and perhaps the most remarkable incident in its entire history was in May 30, 1431 when Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy at the historic Place du Vieux Marche. The Cathédral Notre-Dame de Rouen is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in entire France that had inspired Claude Monet to make a series of thirty paintings on it. When you have soaked yourself into the nuanced history and lyrical charm of Rouen, do not forget to check out the Gros Horloge – an astronomical clock installed in an Renaissance arch, operational since 1389, and having lunch at La Couronne, the oldest inn in France, now converted into a fine dining spot.
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