A visit to Paris is always a good idea and there’s heaps to see and do. You’ll never be bored that’s for sure. But, sometimes it’s great to get out of the city, to see what else there is, and experience a day trip from Paris to some of the most beautiful sites in France.
Day trip from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a tiny commune on an island in Normandy. And, it’s one of the most magical places to visit in France. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of wiggly cobbled streets lined with ancient buildings, quaint boutiques, friendly brasseries and topped by a world famous abbey. Mont Saint-Michel has been popular with visitors since the 9th century when the first church was built. This sacred site is around 250 miles from Paris. Unsurprisingly, public transport to Mont Saint-Michel isn’t easy. You can take a train to Rennes in Brittany and then a bus to get close to the island but it’s time consuming and pretty exhausting. So you might want to consider a coach tour if you’re visiting from Paris…
How to spend a day at Mont Saint-Michel
Paris day trip to Claude Monet’s house and garden, Giverny
From March to October artist Claude Monet’s house and gardens lure visitors to fall head over heels with the vibrant colour and historic landmark that the impressionist painter left behind. Monet lived here for 43 years from 1883 to 1926. And, it’s here that he created some of his most famous works, inspired by his beautiful garden. Go there today and you’ll see the Japanese bridge, water lilies and weeping willow that he made iconic. The rooms of the house feel as though Monet has just nipped out into the pretty little town on the doorstep. The flower beds and garden are like a living palette of colours, so beautiful it takes your breath away.
There’s no direct public transport to Giverny. But you can take a train from Paris to Vernon and from there travel on to Giverny by taxi or rented bike.
Day trip from Paris to the Chateau de Versailles
It’s no surprise that the awe-inspiring UNESCO listed Chateau de Versailles is one of the most amazing day trips from Paris. It’s also one of the most popular sites in France. So take it from us, get a ticket in advance to avoid the queues. You can also visit by bike from Paris, or shuttle bus, enjoy a private tour of Marie-Antoinette’s estate and even a combined Versailles/Monet’s garden tour. And if you have a Paris Pass, entry to the Chateau of Versailles is included.
This immense palace is the world’s largest royal domain. There are more than 700 rooms, the most famous of which is the unforgettable Hall of Mirrors, 357 mirrors to be precise. The palace of Versailles is gilded, opulent and sumptuously decorated and furnished. It really is quite mind-boggling. The garden is immense and filled with fountains and statues. In fact it’s one of the biggest gardens in the world, and well worth a wander. We guarantee the wow factor when you walk through the famous golden gates. They’re covered in 100,000 gold leaves, replicas of the originals which were destroyed during the French Revolution .
