Five exceptional day trips from Paris

Looking for something beyond Paris? Here are some great ideas in close range.

Summer is around the corner and the holiday season is expected to be huge. After those impressive Olympic Games and the triumphant re-opening of Notre Dame, lots of people will be heading to Paris.

But why not add a day-trip to the mix? Avoid some crowds, experience the France beyond Paris.

Well, that’s what I’ve been doing recently anyway. Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring beyond the limits of Paris alongside my trusty guide, Bertrand d’Aleman from My Private Paris. And what I’ve discovered is that there is a rich tapestry of history and culture across France.

Here are five excellent day trips to places that lie just on the doorstep of the capital.

1) Chartres - a medieval wonderland

Distance from Paris - 78 km (48 miles)

Only a short train ride from Paris, the city of Chartres is a under-appreciated gem in the spectacular Loire valley. Stacked with picturesque winding streets, medieval architecture and crowned by the awe-inspiring cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres. Bertrand and I recently did a deep dive into the glorious stained glass windows of the cathedral and I can assure you that seeing them in real life does not disappoint.

There’s ancient history around every corner in Chartres. Visiting the old town is a transportive experience, thanks to its timbered houses, stone bridges and all roads leading up to the cathedral. The town of Chartres may be quite small, but it’s more than worth an early start and full day to take in the cathedral and the sights of the old town. Shoutout to the stained-glass museum for a really deep dive and lunch at Serpent Cafe.

Listen below to the podcast about Chartres cathedral’s spectacular stained glass windows, in an episode that also features Notre Dame de Paris and Sainte-Chapelle.

For the My Private Paris tour to Chartres, click here.

2) Versailles - beyond the palace

Distance from Paris - 17 km (11 miles)

Bertrand took me to Versailles with the express purpose of revealing what to find there beyond the chateau. And I can confirm that there much more to Versailles than meets the eye, including:

• its covered markets - the market of Notre Dame in Versailles has been serving fresh, local produce for over 300 years. In any of the four indoor markets, you’ll find delicious cheese, bread, fruit and vegetables.

• antique shopping - nestled between the palace and the market square is the picturesque antiquarian quarter, which is pretty enough to visit in its own right, even if your budget doesn’t stretch to purchasing an elaborate ballroom chandelier.

• impressive culinary scene - Versailles has a fantastic gastronomic culture with a distinctly royal atmosphere. There’s a lot to be said for making the short journey (either by car or train) to have a memorable meal, at a price lower than you would pay in Paris.

Listen below to the podcast I made of our rainy day in Versailles, which included lots of patisseries.

For the My Private Paris tour to Versailles, click here.

3) The charming Champagne region

Distance from Paris - 127 km (79 miles)

Jump on a train at the Gare de l’Est in Paris and in no time you’ll find yourself amongst the glorious, apparently endless vines of the Champagne region. Bertrand and I made the most of our day by exploring both the regional capital of Reims - home to two UNESCO world heritage sites - and two of the best Champagne houses, the Pommery Champagne estate and the Pierre Paillard Champagne house. We put together a list of five tips to have a perfect day in Champagne.

This day trip also served as a great reminder of the numerous advantages of using a tour guide company, such as My Private Paris, to organise these kinds of experiences. There are so many places to see that it can feel overwhelming to balance visiting both Reims and the vineyards. So, it was a real treat to be guided by Bertrand, whose expertise made for a well-curated and enjoyable day.

Listen below to the podcast episode which captured our entire day, starting out at the train station.

For the My Private Paris tour to Champagne, click here.

4) My favourite chateau: Vaux-le-Vicomte

Distance from Paris - 61 km (37 miles)

If you’re visiting during the festive period, I cannot recommend Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau highly enough. Having previously visited during the pandemic, it was fantastic to experience a totally different version of this distinguished landmark.

Their Christmas festival, known as Le Grand Noël is breathtaking. Many of the rooms take on the theme of a specific fairytale – Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, as well as the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker.

The chateau itself is wonderful to visit at any time of the year. Having served as an inspiration for the Chateau de Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte offers visitors access to stunning formal gardens, not to mention a beautiful chateau fully furnished with interiors reflective of the period it was constructed. I can easily say this is my favourite chateau in France. Say hi to the owner, Jean Charles, if you see him (pictured above, centre).

Listen below to hear about the fun we had at Vaux-le-Vicomte.

For the My Private Paris tour to Vaux-le-Vicomte, click here.

5) Forests and castles at Fontainebleau

Distance from Paris - 56 km (35 miles)

Fontainebleau has so much going for it. Easy to access from Paris, a sprawling forest - which is widely regarded as the best place in the world to go bouldering - and a chateau which dates back almost 900 years. The Chateau de Fontainebleau was famously once owned by the kings of France. So, it’s little wonder that Napoleon spent a small fortune transforming it into his country residence.

Today a visit should involve an exploration of the forest, a tour around the 1500-room chateau (make sure you check out the Napoleon museum) and a wander around the town of Fontainebleau, which boasts excellent-quality restaurants and produce stores, not to mention an extensive thrice-weekly farmer’s market.

If nature and perhaps bouldering entice you, listen to the podcast below, when we chatted about this increasingly popular activity which is rooted in Fontainebleau.

For the My Private Paris tour to Fontainebleau, click here.

And there you have it. Five sure-fire wins for day trips from Paris. I’ll continue doing monthly day trips with My Private Paris, let me know in the comments where you think we should go next!

And to explore more day trip offerings with an expert guide from My Private Paris, click here for their full list of offerings - or use this link to plan out your dream itinerary and let them take care of it for you.

Happy travels,

Oliver