You could easily spend your entire Parisian vacation without ever venturing outside of the (proverbial) city walls, but Paris is also a great jumping-off point to explore the rest of France. While some spots are tough to reach without a car, there are a handful of day trip locales you can visit entirely using trains and public transport. From castles to art to Champagne, here are five of our all-time favorites.
1. Chenonceau
One of the most famous Loire Valley chateaux can be reached via train from Paris in less than two hours. Simply take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris to Tours, then switch to a 20-minute local train that will drop you at the foot of this spectacular castle. Known as The Ladies’ Chateau, Chenonceau was owned at one time by Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henri II. His wife Catherine de Medici, none too happy with the arrangement, took it from Diane after her husband met his untimely demise. Both women left their traces in this gorgeous Renaissance architectural marvel.
2. Chartres
A masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, the cathedral of Chartres is well worth a visit – and it’s an easy, hour-long train ride from Paris’ Montparnasse train station. The UNESCO World Heritage Site stands out for its heavy flying buttresses, 16th century spire, and three great façades. Especially given the closing of Paris’ own Gothic cathedral masterpiece following this spring’s fire, Chartres is a destination worth a day trip away from the capital.
3. Giverny
Venture into Normandy to discover Claude Monet’s home and muse: his home of Giverny with its gorgeous verdant gardens. Monet’s former house has been converted into a museum, where visitors can take in not only the rooms where the painter lived with his family, but some of his favorite works – both his own and others’ – and of course explore his gardens, complete with lily pond and Japanese bridge. A train from Saint-Lazare will take you to Vernon, where you can either grab a bus or rent a bike to reach the house. Consider visiting the Orangerie and Musée d’Orsay before your visit to lend context to your gorgeous surroundings.
4. Epernay
Did someone say Champagne? The Champagne growing region is a beautiful spot to discover, but you don’t need to hire a car to drink up its richness. The city of Epernay is easily reachable in just one hour from Paris’ Gare de l’Est, and here you’ll be able to wander the Avenue de Champagne to visit some of the most prominent Champagne houses including Moët et Chandon and Mercier. Let us take the guesswork out of it for you with our bespoke turnkey self-guided tours.
5. Malmaison
This manor house just outside of Paris was first the residence of Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Josephine, who bought it while her husband was on his Egyptian campaign. After intensive renovations, the house became a luxurious estate, and today it is surrounded by extensive gardens, particularly its famous rose garden. It’s easily reachable by bus from La Défense.