11 Best Day Trips from Paris by Train (+ How To Get There)
Want to explore places outside the city walls of the city of lights? Here are the best day trips from Paris by train you must go on.
Are you staying in Paris for a few days? Even though there are many places to visit in Paris within the city, it would be a shame not to go on a trip beyond the city walls!
There are plenty of Paris day trips to enjoy in the surrounding area, whether in the immediate vicinity of the capital, such as the “Château de Versailles”, or several hundred kilometers away, which can be easily reached with the high-speed train.
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If you are traveling on a budget and do not want to rent a car, the train is the ideal solution!
So in this post, you will discover the best day trips from Paris by train.
Before You Go, Here Are Some Practical Tips to Plan Your Trip to Paris
– Book your accommodation in advance. For the best stay, I suggest staying at this Eiffel Tower view hotel (9.0/10) if you want to look at the Iron Lady from your hotel room. The People – Paris Bercy (8.9/10) if you’re on a budget, Hôtel Eiffel Turenne (8.7/10) if you’re on a mid-range budget, or Maison Albar Hotels Le Pont-Neuf (9.0/10) for a luxurious stay. If you’d rather stay at an apartment, then this is the apartment rental I recommend.
– Don’t miss out on popular tours and activities in Paris. Some of my favorites are; this Louvre museum-guided tour (4.5/5), this Seine River cruise dinner (4.7/5), this Eiffel Tower guided Tour (4.3/5), this Versailles Palace guide tour (4.8/5), or this Montmartre walking tour (4.8/5).
– Don’t forget to take Travel Insurance. Request a free quote from my favorite insurance, World Nomads. (More on this at the end of the article.)
– Prepare your trip extensively with this Paris Travel guidebook. Don’t forget a universal travel adapter, a travel neck pouch, and comfortable walking shoes.
– Consider getting either the museum pass or the Paris city pass if you plan to visit a lot of attractions. The city pass comes with free transportation and access to the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can read my Paris museum pass review to see if it’s right for you.
Best Day Trips from Paris by Train
From castles to small towns, here are the best day trips from Paris by train.
Palaces and Castles to Visit on Day Trips out of Paris
1. Versailles
It is impossible to bypass this mythical place of French history.
The Palace of Versailles is not a mere palace, it is a luxurious and flamboyant place, and one of the places to visit near Paris by train.
Classified as a World Heritage Site and a former home of the kings of France, the palace is of a stunning refinement, successively improved and embellished year after year by the many different Kings.
There are 63,000 square meters and more than 2,300 different rooms to discover and explore.
It was transformed into a museum of French history with objects, paintings, and sculptures that testify of yesteryear’s life and the major events that made the history of the kings.
What makes Versailles even more magical is its garden which is symmetrically and geometrically shaped in a perfectly harmonious way.
And the view from the garden extends from the castle to the horizon.
Walking along its paths and admiring the flower beds and the bodies of water topped by beautiful fountains is an exquisite experience.
Tips to prepare for your day trip to Versailles from Paris
- The Castle is open every day except Monday. It opens every day at 9 am.
- Go as early as possible! The castle is invariably crowded!
- Remember to download the official application that will allow you to get a free audio guide and a map of the area so you won’t have to wait in line!
- I advise you to buy this skip-the-line ticket that comes with an audio guide, transfer, and access to the gardens to be able to cut the queue, although you’ll still go through a security check line. If you want to even get the most out of your Versailles day trip, I recommend going for this guided tour instead. I took this tour and the visit was more enjoyable than when I visited on my own. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned so much about French history from this tour. If you prefer to see the palace and bike around the entire place, then you might consider booking this guided tour instead.
- Temporary art exhibitions are regularly organized within the castle.
- Prepare something to make a picnic! The park is an ideal place for a picnic on a sunny day.
- Bike rentals are possible in the gardens.
How to get there?
Forget the bus, taxi, or car. The best way to get to the Palace of Versailles is by train! There are three train stations in the city of Versailles:
- Versailles Chantier, 20 minutes walk from the castle
- Versailles Rive Droite, at 20 minutes as well
- Versailles Rive gauche, 5 minutes walk from the castle. The Versaille Rive gauche station not only offers the advantage of being very close to the castle but also the possibility of reaching from Paris.
- While in Paris, you just take the “RER C” accessible from several stations in the center of the city such as Saint Michel, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, or Champs Mars Tour Eiffel. Follow “GARE DE VERSAILLES CH TEAU – RIVE GAUCHE”.
- It should take you between 20 and 40 minutes to reach Versailles depending on your departure station.
- You can read my complete guide on how to get from Paris to Versailles Palace.
Related post: Big Travel mistakes to avoid while in Paris
2. Château de Chantilly
If you want to escape the crowd of Versailles, this day trip from Paris is for you. The Chantilly estate is one of the jewels of French heritage and one of the best castles near Paris.
Located 25 minutes north of Paris, it is the second-largest collection of classical paintings in France after the Louvre.
This castle is the work of Henri d’Orléans, son of the very last French king. He was also an art lover and a great collector.
The tradition has been perpetuated until today and the castle has become one of the most important places for art and one of the best chateaux in France.
In addition to the works of art, the decorations are gorgeous and refined. Be sure not to miss the beautiful old library.
The castle, built in the middle of a lake and the heart of a forest, is a work of art on its own.
Just like Versaille, it is surrounded by magnificent French gardens, but not only that! Different styles are also available such as the English and Anglo-Chinese gardens with more than 115 hectares.
There is also an equestrian show at the horse stables throughout the year. You can check the official website to find out more about the theme and dates of the performances.
Though this castle is often missed by tourists, it is definitely worth adding to your Paris itinerary.
Tips to prepare for your Paris day trip to Château de Chantilly
- In high season (March to October) the castle is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 6 pm.
- In the low season (October to March). The castle is closed every Tuesday.
- Annual closing from 6 to 24 January.
- The castle offers visitors various activities such as a boat trip on the lake or bike rides.
- As usual for all visits, remember to book your ticket online! You can buy your skip-the-line ticket for Château de Chantilly from here.
How to get there?
As for Versailles, the train is the best means of transport for a one-day trip from Paris to the Château.
- From Gare du Nord in Paris, take the TER (regional express train) towards Chantilly-Gouvieux.
- Once you arrive at Chantilly-Gouvieux station, you can either walk 25 minutes to the estate or take the free shuttle bus.
- The train journey will take you about 25/30 minutes.
Related post: Things to know before visiting Paris for the first time
3. Fontainebleau Castle (and the Beautiful Forest)
The small town of Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris, is home to a magnificent castle that is a UNESCO-classified site and is surrounded by one of the largest forests in France.
Initially used as a small hunting reserve for royalty, the lodge has grown steadily to become a castle and it is the only estate in France that can boast about having welcomed the royal families for 8 centuries!
The palace sprawls on a large estate and houses four museums dedicated to art.
Don’t miss seeing the table where Napoleon signed his abdication before being imprisoned on the island of Elba.
Its style is a perfect example of the architectural genres that have been influential in the history of France.
From the original dungeon (dating back to the 12th century), neoclassical decorations of the Second Empire in the “Galerie des Cerfs” (19th century), to the wall moldings which are full of details, Fontainebleau is a site not to miss on out of Paris day trips.
Its iconic large horseshoe-shaped staircase was built in the 17th century and is an architectural prowess without equal throughout Europe as it offers a unique aesthetic to the entrance of the castle.
Surrounded by three sumptuous gardens, Fontainebleau stands out from the castles of Versailles and Chantilly by favoring the “English” style.
Rethought and restyled over the centuries, one of the main gardens called “le grand parterre” extends over more than 11 hectares, making it the largest in Europe for its time.
The Fontainebleau Forest surrounding the city is probably the most beautiful forest in the Ile-de-France region due to its diversity and topography.
If you like hiking, spend half a day (or more!) exploring it. Visit the city’s tourist office for information on the best hiking trails.
Tips to prepare for your Paris to Fontainebleau day trip
- The castle is open every day except on Tuesdays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Opening hours are 9:30 am- 5 pm from October to March and 9:30 am to 6 pm from April to September.
- The Gardens are open every day.
- Make sure you buy your ticket from here in advance to skip the line and save time.
- Guided tours are possible, from 30 minutes to 1h30. If you want to join a group tour, this Half-day tour from GetYourGuide is what I recommend to get the most out of your Fontainebleau visit.
- Many activities are available in the gardens from the carriage ride, bike, mini-train, and pony to even a hot air balloon ride that I would recommend you try!
- Unlike Versailles, the crowd is not very big in Fontainebleau so just take your time!
How to get there?
From Paris, get to Fontainebleau by train from Gare de Lyon.
- Take RER D in the direction of Montargis, Montereau, or Laroche-Migennes, and get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station.
- From the city station, a shuttle bus will take you to the castle.
- It takes 1 hour to reach the castle by train.
Related post: How to spend 1 day in Paris
The best Cities to Visit on Train Trips from Paris
4. Reims
Welcome to the city of Champagne! Less than one hour from Paris by train, Reims is one of the best cities to visit near Paris. Reims is the capital of the Champagne region where most of the famous Champagne is made.
But Reims is not only about the little bubbly, but it also has one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France.
The Cathedral of Reims (called Notre Dame like the one in Paris) in addition to being an architectural wonder, plays an important role in the history of France because it’s where all the Kings of France were crowned for over 1000 years.
It is for this reason that Reims is known as ” the city of the sacred “!
This cathedral, larger than the one in Paris, is listed as a UNESCO site and has exceptional statuary with over 2000 statues that adorn its façade, painting biblical stories, kings’ porticoes, and other gargoyles.
Although the exterior is impressive, you’ll only realize its imposing size by heading inside. The original and contemporary stained glass windows add to the already beautiful and spiritual atmosphere.
Just next to the cathedral is the Palace of Tau, also a UNESCO site.
Once the residence of the city’s archbishops, it has been transformed into a museum where the relics of the coronations of kings are kept, such as Charlemagne’s Talisman or the holy oil ampoule which was used to make Clovis’ coronation.
Since it’s a city of Champagne, a visit to a winery is an absolute must to learn more about the beverage, its production, its history, and its secrets.
You can visit all the great names in the world of champagnes such as “Möet et Chandon” or “Veuve Clicquot”. The winemakers are passionate and will be happy to answer your questions.
Tips to prepare for your Paris to Reims day trip
- The cathedral is open every day.
- Guided tours are possible you can; book your guided tour of Reims Cathedral from here.
- Buy this Reims City pass which offers you the opportunity to visit the city’s museums (including the Palace of Tau) free of charge. Intramural public transportation is also included!
- I advise you to visit the city’s monuments in the morning and then a Champagne house in the afternoon so that you can rest on the train when you return. It is difficult to visit the monuments after a wine degustation!
- It is impossible to visit the Champagne region and not go on a champagne tour. I recommend going for this guided tour if you want to visit a traditional champagne house.
How to get there?
- You can quickly reach Reims from Paris thanks to the TGV from the Gare de l’Est station.
- The TGV stops at Champagne Ardennes TGV station, which is rather far from the city centre – consider combining a TER ticket to reach there.
- Book your train tickets from here.
5. Strasbourg
A European capital and traditional Alsatian city, Strasbourg is not only one of the beautiful cities near Paris but also a treat to visit and one of the easy Paris day trips by train.
Of course, Notre Dame Cathedral (the same name as in Reims and Paris) is of phenomenal beauty.
Classified as a UNESCO site, it is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in the world!
It is a real architectural wonder with unique characteristics such as its spire, the highest in the world, dating from the 15th century, or its astronomical clock.
It is located in the historic center of the city, nicknamed ” La Grande Île “.
The typical half-timbered houses of the area make it very pleasant to walk along the streets.
In addition to the cathedral, there are also palaces and luxury hotels that surround the streets as well as numerous small churches.
Take a walk in “La Petite France”, the most picturesque district of the city, or stroll through its streets to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Everything here is photogenic so get your cameras ready!
But Strasbourg is also a modern city and the capital of Europe as it hosts the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights.
A visit to the “European District” will help you learn more about this institution through information panels.
Also, many museums dot Strasbourg, but I would particularly recommend the “Château Musée Vodou”, located in an old water tower dating from the 19th century.
It also houses the largest collection of African voodoo objects in the world.
Tips to prepare for your day trip from Paris to Strasbourg
- The cathedral is open every day and the visit is free of charge.
- You’ll have to pay a fee of euros to climb the cathedral.
- To save money and time, make sure that you purchase the Strasbourg city Pass from here.
- Visit the cathedral at midday as that’s when the astronomical clock is brought to life.
- Strasbourg is a very walkable city so do take your time. And if you want to discover all the city’s landmarks, you can book this Euro Guided tour by Segway from GetYourGuide.
- In December, the city holds the largest Christmas market in France and Europe. The city which is rather peaceful is overrun with tourists during this period. If you’re visiting in December, then don’t miss out on this Strasbourg Christmas market tour.
How to get there?
Strasbourg is less than 2 hours from Paris thanks to the TGV
- The departure is from Paris EST station
- Strasbourg station is very close to the city centre (10 minutes on foot).
- Book your train ticket here and check the rates
Related post: How to spend Christmas in Paris
6. Provins
Less than 1h30 from Paris, the medieval city of Provins is a real-time travel machine to the Middle Ages!
The city has an exciting history and retains the atmosphere of a ” medieval village “.
It hosts one of the largest medieval fairs in France as a tribute to its vital importance during this age.
Located 70km from Paris, the city is divided into two: the upper part which is the oldest part of the city, surrounded by ramparts and a medieval tower, and the lower part which is the most modern and offers little interest compared to its counterpart.
However, many locals prefer to say that the city is divided into three parts: the lower part, the upper part, and the underground part! Because it is miles and miles of underground tunnels dating from the 13th century that lie hidden under the streets of the city.
The upper town is surrounded by large ramparts more than 1000 meters long and about twenty small watchtowers.
The highest tower in the city, which is behind the ramparts and just next to the church is the Caesar Tower where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire city.
How to prepare for your out of Paris day trips to Provins
- The train arrives in the lower part of the city, look around, and follow the directions (and the medieval towers) to reach the upper part
- Don’t forget to stop at the tourist office to learn more about the tours and places to visit.
- The undergrounds are open to visitors but ask about the schedules for visits in English beforehand.
- They hold eagles and horse shows so you can watch any that interests you.
- The Provins Pass allows you to visit the city and museums at reduced prices. It is available at the tourist office.
- Check the official website for opening hours because in the low season, it can be tricky.
How to get there?
Provins is located in the Ile-de-France, so it is a suburban train (Transilien) that you must take.
- The departure is from Paris EST station.
- Take line P (yellow line) and stop at Provins.
- There’s a train every hour to and from
- Buy your tickets at ticket machines or at a ticket office.
- You can read this day trip from Paris to Provins planning guide to swiftly plan your visit.
Unique Locations to Visit on Day Trips from Paris by Train
7. Monet’s House in Giverny
This small village was made famous worldwide by the impressionist painter Claude Monet.
Owner of a small house and many plots of land and gardens, he painted this little corner of paradise relentlessly for almost 40 years.
If you like art, I highly recommend this getaway. Located 80km northwest of Paris, this village is considered to be the cradle of Impressionism.
Monet’s house has retained its old-fashioned charm.
Monet was also a passionate Japanese art lover and most of his collection is still on display.
The breathtaking beauty of the gardens has led it to receive several awards and a walk around them is a fantastic experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Walking along the multicolored paths decorated with roses, geraniums, and dahlia, all in the shades of cherry trees and weeping willows will give you the feeling of walking around in one of a master’s paintings!
An underpass takes you to the famous Japanese bridge immortalized by his masterpiece “Water Lilies”.
How to prepare for your visit to Monet’s house in Giverny
- I strongly advise you to visit this place in summer or spring, when the gardens are the most beautiful. In winter, they’re actually closed.
- The house is open every day from March 22 to November 1 from 9:30 am to 6 pm.
- Many museums can be visited in the city of Giverny.
- Plan two hours for a visit to the gardens.
How to get there?
From Gare St-Lazare in Paris, take a mainline train to “Vernon” SNCF station.
- It takes 45 minutes to travel between Paris and Vernon by train
- There is one train per hour in each direction.
- A bus will take you from Vernon to Giverny 15 minutes after the train arrives. It takes 10 minutes to get there.
- But if you want to skip the hustle of looking for a train or even planning, then you can join this guided day trip from Paris. It covers transportation, to and from, and a guided visit in the gardens by a knowledgeable guide.
- You can also check out my detailed guide on how to plan a day trip from Paris to Giverny and everything else you may need to know.
Related post: Hidden gems to visit in Paris
8. Mont Saint Michel
Even if it’s a bit of a stretch to mention it on a Paris day trips post, I just couldn’t fail to include it on the list!
Mont Saint Michel is, in my opinion, one of the must-see attractions in France! It is simply stunning.
According to legends, the angel Saint Michael appeared to the bishop in the 10th century and asked him to build a church in his honor. The mountain then became an important place of pilgrimage for the religion.
The Benedictine abbey is perched on a rocky islet in the bay of Saint-Michel. It is also surrounded by a medieval city teeming with small alleyways and secret passageways protected by high ramparts encircling the entire island.
“Wonder of the West” and also classified as a UNESCO Site, the architecture of the place is truly phenomenal.
It also has the strongest tides in Europe. When they come, the island is completely surrounded by water.
When the water recedes, it is possible to walk around the island but be careful because the tide comes back quickly and it is possible to get trapped!
Once on the island, there are quite a number of things to do but I advise you to simply stroll through the alleys and on the ramparts and enjoy the magic of the place to its fullest potential.
The visit to the abbey is very interesting if you take a guide and the view from the top is truly breathtaking.
There are 3 museums that can be visited on the islands, including the Archaeoscope Museum, which tells the story of the construction of this magnificent monument.
Every year, the place welcomes more than 3 million tourists! So, it is unlikely to escape the crowd even in the low season.
But don’t worry, there will be people on the main street since it’s very commercial, but once you get lost in the alleys, the chances of being completely alone are big!
Although a day trip from Paris to Mont Saint Michel is possible, I suggest you consider extending your stay. Sleeping on the Mount can be expensive so you can opt for hotels in the nearby village.
How to prepare for one of the best day trips from Paris to Mont Saint Michel
- Get ready for a very long day! Put on your walking shoes and be sure to be in good shape as there is plenty of climbing to fully explore the island.
- The parking is a bit far from the island. You have 2 ways to reach Mont: On foot, which is a 30-minute walk along the bridge overlooking the bay with a view of the Mount. With a free shuttle which takes about 12 minutes to reach the Mont.
- Once the Bus has dropped you off, note the place and time of departure before starting your adventure so that you don’t miss it.
- There are two accessible tourist offices – one at the car park and the other on the main street of Mount known as Grand Rue.
- Access to the Mount is free but you’ll need to pay to access the Abbey.
- Bring something to make a picnic! The restaurants on the islands are tourist catchers.
How to get there?
Get ready for a long day!
- SNCF (France’s train company) offers a single train+bus fare:
- You can book online, but sometimes booking at the counter is safer to be sure to take advantage of the discounted rate.
- Departure from Paris to Montparnasse Station is at 7:38 am – Arrival at 11:24 am
- The last departure from Mont is at 6:06 pm for an arrival at 10 pm in Paris.
- You can visit on your own with public transportation but if you don’t want to deal with planning and figuring out how to get there, then I recommend joining this guided day trip from Paris to Mont Saint Michel. I took this tour myself and can definitely vouch for it. You’ll be transported in a comfortable bus to and from and during the trip, your tour knowledgeable guide will share historical details about the landmark and fun facts that you need to know!
Related post: Romantic things to do in Paris
Theme Parks to Visit on Day Tours from Paris
9. Disneyland Paris
Do I really need to talk about the most visited park in Europe?
Located about 40 kilometers East of Paris, Disneyland Paris will delight the young and the old alike.
There are over 50 rides in Disneyland Paris ranging from the most frightening to the most enjoyable.
This 4800-hectare site actually houses two distinct parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Each of the two parks offers a different experience and unique rides.
Disney is a master at creating a magical atmosphere! You’ll be able to say hello to all your favorite Disney characters and don’t forget to reserve a restaurant if you plan on dining at one of the restaurants at Disneyland Paris, especially the fancy ones.
How to prepare your train trip from Paris to Disneyland
- As in all Disney parks around the world, get ready for long queues!
- Remember to take your walking shoes because it’s huge.
- Opening hours vary according to the season, but parks generally open at 10 am and close around 9 pm in winter, but later in spring and summer.
- Since there are various Disneyland Paris tickets, you can check the ones below from GetYourGuide (a leading tour provider in the world), and book one that suits your needs.
This Disneyland Paris Multi-Day Entrance Ticket, Disneyland Paris 1-Day Flexible Ticket, Disneyland Paris Ticket with Return Transport from Paris, Disney 1-day ticket, and so many others.
How to get there?
The park is easily accessible from Paris by train because it has its very own train station! It is actually one of the easy day trips from Paris by train
- From Paris, jump on the RER A at the Gare de Lyon station.
- The terminus is “Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy”.
- The parks are 2 minutes away from the station
- You can also read my article on how to get from Paris to Disneyland Paris.
- You can book from the Disney website, or directly at Gare de Lyon.
- But before you go, make sure that you know these Disneyland Paris tips for a fun trip.
10. Asterix Park
Photo by Par Loïc Corbasson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Lien
For those who don’t know, Asterix the Gaul is a humorous and hilarious French comic strip character set in the days of the Roman Empire.
Published all over the world in more than 110 different languages, it is a real national institution in France, everyone has read one of its comics!
It was, therefore, a natural decision to set up an amusement park in its honor 50km north of Paris!
Less known to tourists but just as appreciated by the locals, Asterix Park has more thrilling rides than Disney.
The atmosphere is friendly and the scenery is really cool taking you back to the Roman era while keeping the distinctive style of the comic strip.
Just like Disney, you can meet all the characters who made the comic book a success. From Asterix himself, Obelix, Panoramix to Falbala!
In addition to being much more affordable than Disney, it is also less frequented and the queues are much shorter. In fact, visiting this park instead of Disney is one of the nontouristy things to do in Paris.
It is not uncommon to be able to do the same ride several times, something almost impossible at Disney!
How to prepare for your trip from Paris to Asterix Park
- The park is not always open! Check the official website to be sure.
- The typical day runs from 10 am to 6 pm.
- During Halloween, the park organizes nocturnes until 1 am.
- Save time and money by buying your full-day entrance ticket from here.
How to get there?
There are 2 options; the first one is by Train:
- From Paris, reach CDG airport via RER B
- Get off at the “Charles de Gaulle 1 Airport” stop (NOT the TGV stop).
- Go to the “Parc Astérix” ticket office and you will be directed to a shuttle bus leading to the Park.
- You can opt for this private transfer (to and from).
The second one is by long-distance bus:
- Two companies are recommended: OuiBus and FlixBus
- Departure is from Paris Bercy for both companies.
- Plan for one hour of travel time
11. Thoiry Zoological Park
By Vassil – Own work, Public Domain, Link
About 40 km west of Paris. The Thoiry “safari” zoo takes place within the estate of Thoiry Castle.
Why a “safari zoo”? Simply because its main attraction is the visit to the zoo in your car, like a real safari in Africa.
There is also a traditional walking tour and a magnificent 120-hectare botanical park.
The park covers 150 hectares and is home to more than 750 different animal species.
The Safari section is 6.5 kilometers long and divided into two areas: The African area where you can observe the large African herbivorous mammals and the North American area to see bears, wolves, bison, and other rare Eurasian species.
If you don’t want to rent a car to visit the park, don’t worry, the park offers collective “bush truck” tours from 1h30 to 2 hours for an extra cost in addition to the entrance ticket.
The Walking tour is also very interesting as it will allow you to admire several carnivores such as cheetahs, snow leopards, lynxes, and tigers, protected by a glass tunnel for total immersion.
Two aviaries can also be visited to admire the most beautiful birds such as wild vultures and Rüppel vultures (in critical danger of extinction) or multicolored parakeets and Lorickets!
If you feel too small in front of the elephants, tigers, and other lions of the zoo, you can switch roles and visit the “arch of the small animals”.
Visit the many amphibians and invertebrates in the vivariums created especially for them – frogs, mygales, newts… They’re all here!
How to prepare for your visit to Thoiry Zoological Park
- Safari and Zoo open from 11 am to 5 pm in Winter but close later in the summer.
- Many activities and games are available such as zip-lining (above the animals!), a natural labyrinth, and playgrounds for children.
- There are 3 restaurants at your disposal or take a picnic for a gourmet break in the botanical park.
How to get there?
By car; the ideal solution:
- From Paris, take the A13 motorway at Porte d’Auteuil.
- At the junction, take the A12 motorway and then the N12 towards Dreux.
- Take the Thoiry exit, follow the D76, and then the D11 towards Thoiry.
- It takes 45 minutes to drive
- Free parking is available.
By train:
- From Paris Montparnasse station, take the “N&U” line towards Dreux
- Get off at the “Villiers Neauphle Pontchartrain” station
- Take bus 78, 20 minutes drive to the park. Ask at the station ticket office.
- Plan 30 minutes by train between Paris and Villier
Final Thoughts on the Best Day Trips From Paris
Now that you know all the best day trips from Paris by train, I hope you spare some time and visit at least one of these places near Paris.
Have you been to any of these day trips outside of Paris? Let me know which one was your favorite or where you plan to go the next time you’re in Paris.
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