If you want to plan day trips from Paris, you have landed on the right article ! I’ll suggest 3 places worth visiting if you are spending a few days in Paris. From the breathtaking Versailles to the gardens of Parc de Sceaux, including the charming village of Moret sur Loing, here are some of the best spots to explore!
Just half an hour from Paris, Versailles is an enchanting place worth spending a day.
The Chateau de Versailles, built in 1623, was the principal residence of the French kings Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.
It covers 63154 square meters, divided into 2,300 rooms, of which 1,000 are part of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon.
The Park of the Palace of Versailles extends over 815 hectares, and used to be more than 8,000 hectares before the French Revolution.
Make sure to discover the Hall of Mirrors (picture 4 below), the royal gardens designed by André Le Nôtre (picture 3) , the royal apartments (picture 1), the Grand and Petit Trianon.
How to go : You can take the RER C towards Versailles and stop at Versailles Château Rive Gauche. It takes around 30 minutes from the heart of Paris.
Entrance Fee: Ticket for the palace is 21€, but it is free for people under 26 residing in the EU. You can find more information on their website here.
Opening Hours: The Palace is open from 9am to 6:30pm. It is closed on Mondays and May 1st. The Park and Gardens are open everyday from 7am to 8:30pm.
Less crowded than Versailles and yet a beautiful true gem is Parc de Sceaux. The park was designed by André Le Nôtre at the end of the 17th century and it covers 181 hectares! There is a Chateau (picture 1) built between 1856 and 1862 for the Duke and Duchess of Trévise. Now it houses the permanent collections of the Museum of the Départemental Estate of Sceaux.
Parc de Sceaux also houses an Orangery (picture 3), built in 1686 for the Marquis de Seignelay, old stables and other small pavilions.
Garden-wise, the site offers beautiful lawns, canals, fountains and flower gardens. In spring, you can see the cherry blossoms and sometimes there is even a Japanese festival.
How to go: You can take the Line 6 (or RER C) and then the RER B towards Massy/Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse and stop at La Croix de Berny. It takes around 45 minutes from the heart of Paris
Entrance fee: Entrance is free, but tickets are 5€ for the exhibitions. You can find more information on their website here.
Opening hours: Everyday from 8am to 7pm.
Moret-sur-Loing is a medieval village and a real hidden gem that will definitely conquer your heart with its medieval houses, stone bridges, and riverside charm. This is the village which inspired painter Alfred Sisley. You can wander the cobbled streets, enjoy a lovely walk along the Loing River, have lunch at one of the many restaurants with outdoor seatings.
In the warmer months, people swim in the river (even though swimming is apparently no longer allowed), and activities like canoeing and kayaking are available.
How to go : You can take the transilien R from Gare de Lyon towards Montereau / Moret-Veneux les Sablons / Montargisand and you stop at the station Moret Veneux les Sablons. Once you arrive at the train station, you have to walk 15 minutes to get to the village of Moret-Sur-Loing.
That’s it for my recommendations on day trips from Paris ! Whether you’re exploring the stunning Chateau de Versailles, wandering along the river in Moret-sur-Loing or enjoying a nice walk at Parc de Sceaux, these Paris day trips offer the perfect way to experience France’s culture, history and nature.
If you plan to visit Paris anytime soon, check out my articles here to know what to see and where to eat.
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
