The allure of Paris is undeniable. Abounding with culture, history, and culinary delights (that today exceed just French cuisine), one could easily spend weeks in the capital and still have plenty to explore. But for those who are looking to supplement their time in the City of Light with some additional exploration, there are several towns easily accessible by train. So whether you’re looking for a convenient day trip or the next destination to continue your great adventure, these spots are all within three hours of Paris. Bon voyage!
Versailles
The most popular day trip to take from Paris, Versailles can be reached in about an hour from the City of Light. Built by Louis XIII as a hunting lodge and transformed by Louis XIV, the opulent 17th-century château and its manicured gardens span nearly 2,000 acres. Inside the palace, you’ll find the famed Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and some 2,300 rooms that include the King’s state apartments and Marie Antoinette’s chambers. While you’re here, make sure to also pop over to the Trianon Estate, which was originally constructed so that Louis XIV could spend time with his secret wife, Madame de Maintenon, and the National Equestrian Academy for an equestrian show and a tour of the Royal Stables.
Noteworthy Stay: While you don’t need to overnight in Versailles to see the palace, whether you should is a completely different story—particularly if said accommodation is at Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle. Set within the palace grounds, the building dates back to 1681 and served as Louis XIV’s ministry of finance. Now, it’s a sumptuous, 13-key hotel with over 900 period artifacts that’s arguably one of the finest in the world.
Inspired by the magnificence of the 18th century, the property is decorated as it would’ve been a year before the French Revolution, with the addition of plenty of gold leaf. Staying here not only means beautiful digs swathed in history, but also unmatched privileges to explore the estate. Included with every booking are exclusive tours of the palace and Grand Trianon sans crowds (a dream), unfettered access to the orangery, and complimentary golf carts to traverse the gardens. Additional experiences include private tours of the Royal Opera; horseback riding in the gardens; and fantastical dining experiences curated by decorated chef Alain Ducasse, including afternoon tea and a Michelin-starred, multi-course dinner inspired by the Sun King’s feasts.
Reims
It goes without saying that there are plenty of bars in Paris to enjoy a bottle of Champagne, but there’s nothing quite like sipping bubbly straight from the source. And in just 45 minutes you can reach Reims, the unofficial capital of the Champagne region. Kick off your visit with a stop at the city’s Cathédrale Notre-Dame then head off to your favorite Champagne houses. Beloved brands like Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, and Billecart-Salmon all offer cellar tours accompanied by tastings while coveted labels like Louis Roederer, Perrier-Jouët, and Krug will require a little string pulling for a visit to their invite-only maisons.
Noteworthy Stay: Located just outside of Reims, Château de Sacy is an intimate property with just 12 individually designed rooms. Canopied beds, crystal-drop chandeliers, and views of rolling vineyards set the stage for a dreamy and relaxing trip.
Giverny
After viewing eight impressive murals from Claude Monet’s famed Water Lillies series at Paris’ Musée de l’Orangerie, why not head to the place that inspired the master of Impressionism? In less than an hour, you’ll have the chance to tour his home and stroll around the lush water and flower gardens that laid the groundwork for hundreds of works. Afterward, pay your respects to the painter at the family gravesite or visit Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny if you’re a fan of the 19th-century art movement.
Lyon
Halfway between Paris and the French Riviera, Lyon is a cultural hub and the country’s gastronomic capital. Stroll around the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon, the city’s oldest and largest Renaissance district; learn about its history as a silk trade capital at La Maison des Canuts; peruse the Museum of Fine Arts’ extensive collection, ranging from Ancient Egyptian antiquities to modern-day works; and admire the contemporary architecture in the sustainable neighborhood of La Confluence. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants or pop into a bouchon for traditional Lyonnaise cuisine that’s filled with heart and soul.
Noteworthy Stays: Look over the city at the intimate Villa Maïa or stay down by the Rhône at grande dame InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel Dieu.
Loire Valley
In contrast to its neighbors Burgundy and Bordeaux, the Loire Valley is largely known for its white wine, namely made from sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc grapes, but it’s also an underrated region for light- to medium-bodied reds, making it the perfect fit for oenophiles who enjoy both. And in addition to its thousands of vineyards, the destination is also regarded for its Renaissance castles. Its most famed châteaus include Chambord, Francis I’s hunting lodge and the largest in the area; Chenonceau, cherished for its manicured gardens and Gothic details; and Clos Lucé and d’Amboise, where you’ll find Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop and burial site, respectively. For those coming between April and November, make sure to also pop by the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, home to the International Garden Festival, which blends contemporary artwork with lush landscapes.
Noteworthy Stay: Since you’ve come to appreciate the Loire Valley’s grand châteaus, it only seems fitting that you overnight in one. For Hotel Château du Grand Lucé, owner Marcy Holthus—who is also behind Washington School House Hotel in Park City, Utah—brought on designers Paul and Shannon Wehsener for a meticulous reimagination of the 18th-century property commissioned by Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay III.
The result: a beautifully decorated, period-appropriate hotel without all the pretense and pomposity. Expect individually designed rooms, antiques sourced from all around France, acres of greenery, and chic details like custom pillows made from vintage Hermès scarves. While it may be far from many of the area’s most popular spots, it’s well worth the drive.
Rouen
In about an hour and a half from Saint-Lazare you’ll reach Rouen, the capital of Normandy. This medieval city is home to Le Gros-Horlage, an astronomical clock dating back to the 14th century; its own Notre-Dame Cathedral, which inspired a series of paintings by Monet; and, perhaps most notably, it was the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Pay a visit to the modern church that has been dedicated to the patron saint and walk around the cobblestoned town, marveling at the half-timbered homes along the way.
Colmar
Bordering Germany, France’s Alsace region is highly influenced by its neighboring country, which can be seen in its food (sauerkraut), wine (dry Rieslings), and architecture (half-timbered houses). While the picturesque city of Strasbourg is the most accessible option from Paris at about an hour and 45 minutes with no stops, Colmar, just 30 more minutes over, is a charming village with a quarter of the population. Plus, it’s a better-positioned launchpad to the region’s many vineyards. Enjoy the flower-lined canals in the spring and summer, or delight in the town’s festive Christmas markets if you’re visiting during the holidays.
London
In less than two and a half hours on the Eurostar you can be in another one of Europe’s great cities. The English capital is filled with historic and iconic landmarks, like Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben just to name a few. Between visiting London Town’s famous attractions, shop your way through Oxford Street, indulge in the tradition of afternoon tea, and do some museum hopping. Like Paris, the options for every type of traveler are seemingly infinite and you’ll more than likely run into the problem of deciding what you’re willing to miss rather than what you’re open to doing.
Noteworthy Stays: Whether it’s five-star, internationally recognized brands like Rosewood or intimate boutique properties like the Twenty Two, there is no shortage of options to choose from. Here, check out our guide to the best hotels in London.
Bruges, Belgium
Looking to make the most of your Europe trip or Eurail Pass with more country hopping? Belgium is just a stone’s throw away. While Brussels and Antwerp are the most easily accessible by the high-speed Thalys train, taking an hour and a half and just over two hours, respectively, from Paris, Bruges, is worth the intercity rail transfer. In about two and a half hours, you’ll reach a city that’s often described as the “Venice of the North.” With its picturesque canals (hence the moniker) weaving throughout the city, cobbled streets, and well-preserved medieval architecture, it’s a fairytale-like destination. Take in the sights, eat fries and chocolate, wander the Markt, and sip on locally brewed beer. Bruges is small enough that it can be done in a day if you’re tight on time—otherwise, stick around in the country for a couple of days then hop back aboard the Thalys to Amsterdam for a continuation of your great European adventure.
Chantilly
Versailles might be France’s most famous château, but there’s no shortage of magnificent castles to explore in the country. Just a 25-minute train ride from Gare du Nord and you’ll be knocking on the doorsteps of Château de Chantilly. The Renaissance gem was once the home of Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Amale, who acquired vast collections of art and manuscripts that have been decreed to never leave the premises. Spend the day admiring the relics and the grand apartments, followed by a visit to the stables, which have since been converted into an equestrian museum with presentations and shows. Allow time to take a stroll around the 284-acre grounds where you’ll find three landscape designs: a French-style garden by André Le Nôtre (of Versailles fame), an Anglo-Chinese garden by architect Jean-François Leroy, and an English garden by Victor Dubois. Lastly, if you have a sweet tooth, a sampling of Chantilly cream in its birthplace is a must, too.
Fontainebleau
Continue palace hopping with the Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site less than an hour away from Paris. The royal residence and hunting lodge played host to seven centuries’ worth of monarchs and was said to be Napoleon’s favorite, having called it the “true home of kings.” It’s also considered to be the most furnished château in all of France, a dream for design and art history buffs. There are more than 1,500 rooms at the sprawling estate, many with their own individual look thanks to its long line of inhabitants, including Marie-Antoinette and Josephine’s Turkish boudoir and Eugenie’s Chinese salon. To top it all off, there are also a little over 300 acres of manicured gardens and parks to explore, so arrive early to fully soak in all its beauty.
Cognac
Just like France’s Champagne region, Cognac lends its name to the spirit that’s produced in the area. But let’s talk logistics and get technical for a moment (hang with us). It’s just a little over two hours from Paris’s Gare Montparnasse to Angouleme, the city that often acts as a gateway to Cognac for those who are continuing onward by car. But if you’re looking to head straight into the commune of Cognac by train, you’ll have to transfer, which, with the layover time, puts the trip over three hours. This is all to say we’re cheating a little here, but since it’s teetering between over and under depending on which route you take, we couldn’t help but include this part of the country that plays a role in the French art de vivre. For those unfamiliar, cognac is essentially a brandy that’s specifically made in its namesake enclave. The spirit is highly regulated beyond geography, down to the type of stills used, set timeframes for distillation, and aging requirements. For fans of cognac, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the grape-based spirit and visit the big four—Rémy Martin, Hennessy, Martell, and Courvoisier—all of which offer tours and experiences, or dive deeper and check out some smaller producers like Jean Fillioux and Maison Gautier.
Noteworthy Stay: A few of the bigger cognac companies have their own châteaus for VIP guests, but if your invitation was somehow lost in the mail, check into Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa. Opened in 2018, it’s the only luxury option in the heart of Cognac and boasts modern accommodations, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a jazz bar with about 300 bottles of cognac on offer, and a full-service spa with indoor and outdoor pools. Bonus points: the historic house of Rémy Martin, which recently unveiled a three-year renovation, is just steps away.
