10 Epic Day Trips From Paris by Train

A trip to Paris, the stuff dreams are made of!  Who doesn’t want to see the Eiffel Tower and shop on the Champs Elysees? 

Lots of people must since Paris consistently makes the list of “must-see” European countries.   After visiting all of the fabulous tourist places in Paris, you should take some time to get out of the city and explore the surrounding area. 

If Paris is not on your couple’s bucket list, I would add it now!

That is where our post outlining some great day trips from Paris by train, comes in!

*This post contains affiliate links.  By purchasing through these links, we get a small commission at no additional cost.  That Texas Couple also participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Day Trips from Paris by Train

Helpful Tips for Day Trips From Paris by Train

Before beginning your day trips from Paris by train, you need to note a couple of things. 

The first one is that you have to validate your train ticket.  The only exception to this is if you are on a train with an assigned time and an assigned seat number.  Otherwise, validate your ticket! 

Validating your ticket is one of the many things to know before visiting Europe.

Failure to do so could result in a hefty fine.

There are different ways to validate your ticket in France, well, in all of Europe, really.  Sometimes you might go through a subway-like turnstile where you will insert your ticket, and then the machine will spit it back out to you and allow you entry through the turnstile. 

Other times you will insert your ticket into a machine, usually yellow, and it will stamp your ticket and give it back.

Also, hold onto your ticket.  You often need it to exit the station!

Another important thing to remember is that restaurants often close after 2 pm and don’t reopen until the evening.  This is especially prevalent in small towns, so plan your meals accordingly. 

If you see a sign that says “service continue,” you are in luck, and they are open all day.

If you are interested in reading more, I wrote about both of these tips and more in this post.

We always love using Rick Steve’s books while traveling.  He gives great tips and tricks to make the most of your time in Europe. 

You might want to check out his France book before going on these day trips.

Chartres, France

Submitted by Pam and Kathrine of Everywhere Forward

Chartres, France, is one of our top day trips from Paris by train!

Known worldwide for being home to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, one of the best-preserved Gothic Cathedrals in Europe. The Cathedral of Chartres features almost 200 beautiful stained glass windows, some from the 12th century!

Chartres blue is The stunning blue color throughout the stained glass windows. Interestingly, this unique color has been unable to be replicated today!

On the floor of the Cathedral, you’ll see a large labyrinth. Most Gothic cathedrals were constructed with labyrinths, symbolizing the path to salvation; however, many were removed over time because they became a “distraction.”

So during a visit to Chartres, you’ll have the chance to see one of the last remaining originals! Because of the Cathedral’s beautiful and architectural significance, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chartres is a lovely city to visit if you’re interested in history, art, and architecture. One of our favorites about Chartres was how beautiful the streets and churches were to photograph!

Throughout the city, there are other smaller chapels and churches worth visiting as well.

In addition to the Cathedral, you can explore the charming city streets, shops, restaurants, and museums. 

Check out Everywhere Forward’s build-your-own Paris itinerary.

Epernay

Submitted by Laura of The Travelling Stomach

Despite its diminutive size compared to neighboring Reims, Epernay, located east of Paris, is the capital of the famous Champagne region. 

With direct trains from Gare de l’est station, this beautiful town is only an hour away, getting you to the wine region’s heart in no time.  This is why it has made our list of great day trips from Paris by train!

The center of town immediately strikes you as beautiful and affluent, defined by the magnificent 19th-century houses built with the wealth of the champagne trade. 

Avenue de Champagne is the focal point for exploring glasses of this delicious wine, a leafy boulevard lined with some of the region’s great and famous champagne houses.

Here, you can explore some 250km of cellars beneath the surface, stocking bottles well into the millions! 

Most houses here are open to visitors (although booking is well advised), whether it be a grand marque of Moet et Chandon or one of the smaller names, such as Alfred Gratien, you’ll enjoy a great degustation of fizz!

After a day of wine tasting, the town has an excellent food scene to satisfy your rumbling stomach.  C. Comme, a famed wine bar in the town, offers (of course) more champagne tasting and a delicious selection of casual food, including cheese, charcuterie, and, naturally, foie gras!

Head back to Paris with a few bottles of champagne heavier after a lovely day exploring one of the most famous towns in the world.

You can find several options here if you prefer to take a guided trip to this region.

Tours, France

Submitted by Caitlin of The Country Jumper  

It amazes me how rarely people venture outside of Paris when they visit France because when you start to wander around Tours, just a two-hour train ride from Paris, you’ll be nothing short of impressed.   

This is a European dream destination with a broad avenue running through the city, wide sidewalks abutting it on either side and a cathedral built for a king (or God).   

Place Plumereau is one of the focal points of the city. It’s a perfect square filled with cafes and restaurants and lined by buildings that have not yet been infected with Hard Rock Café.  

And from there, it’s just a short walk to the Loire River.

If I can give you one all-important tip on how to get the most out of your day trip (or longer) in Tours, it is to walk.

Walk along the river, through the squares and back alleyways, and walk away from where tourists are supposed to be; put your phone and any other maps or guides you have far out of your sight and get a little lost because that’s where you’ll find the magic of this centuries-old city. 

One visit and you will see why Tours is one of the best day trips from Paris by train.         

Versailles

Written by Me, Michelle of That Texas Couple

Of course, you cannot list day trips from Paris and not include the Palace of Versailles.

Located just southwest of Paris, Versailles is easily accessed by the underground train RER C.  Make sure you get on a train with the termination point of “Versailles Rive Gauche.”

Also, remember that for this journey, you will have to buy a different metro ticket than the one you have been using to get around Paris because you will be traveling outside the designated zones for that ticket. 

I would buy a round-trip ticket and save myself the headache of waiting in lines at the Versailles station.

The Palace of Versailles is about a 5-minute walk from the RER station, so it is easy to do.

Visit the inside of the castle and allow the audio guide to tell you all about this fabulous palace.  Then tour the expansive gardens not overlooking the working farm and vineyards still on the property.  

Loire Valley

Submitted by Natasha Lequepeys of And Then I Met Yoko

Just 1 hour and 20 minutes by train from Paris is the city of Blois. Blois is one of the many cities in the Loire Valley region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to hundreds of French castles.

Blois has a beautiful castle and cathedral, but once you’re in the area, you must visit the most opulent – the Château de Chambord.  You can easily get to Chambord Castle by renting a bike, driving, taking a taxi, or taking a shuttle bus.

When you arrive, you’ll see why it gets all the hype and made our list of the best day trips from Paris by train.

The architecture is grand; from the outside, it never ends. Inside are the famous double spiral staircases which never intersect. Climbing them to the top opens up to the outside terrace.

You get views from there, overlooking the perfectly manicured French gardens and surrounding forest. If you’ve got the time, you can stroll through these gardens and the forest, picturing what life would have been like for those who went out on a hunt.

If you’re lucky, you may see wild deer or boar. 

Inside are 440 different rooms, my favorite being the green hunting room filled with art and animal trophies. Yes, it’s a bit macabre, but you start to imagine the castle lived in with the king and his entire entourage in the 17th century.

Depending on your time, you may be able to visit other castles in the region. 

Check out this travel guide to the Loire Valley that highlights some other great options and lets you see how the Loire Valley made our list of great day trips from Paris by train.

Provins

Written by Me, Michelle of That Texas Couple

Provins is a charming medieval town located about an hour and a half outside of Paris, making it one of the best day trips from Paris by train.  Trains leave about every 45 minutes from the Gare de l’Est station.

Since Provins is a terminus station, find it on the blue SNCF screens to locate your platform, and then you’re good to go.

It’s important to check the city’s website before embarking too far into this journey as several tourist attractions close or have limited hours during the offseason.

Province consists of the old medieval “upper” city and the newer “lower” city, where the train station is located. 

There is a great little tourist office if you don’t have a guidebook where you can research what you want to do and grab some pamphlets.  Their main attractions include the underground tunnels, watchman’s tower, museum, and Tithe Barn.

Just check the times to ensure you can see what you are most interested in during your day trip from Paris.

Provins is also known for their roses, so here you will find various products made with roses.  Including rose-flavored candies!

Strasbourg, Alsace, France

Submitted by Brianna of Curious Travel Bug

Strasbourg is on the border with Germany, and this charming Alsatian city can be reached from Paris in only 2 hours on a high-speed train. Arriving by train, you are outside the historic area but can reach it on foot in only 15 minutes.

Strasbourg is one of France’s prettiest cities, mixing French and German architecture and half-timbered houses on canals. The historic area, Strasbourg-Grand-Ill, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Strasbourg has a stunning Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame, with an astronomical clock and a 142-meter spire. You should venture inside to see its stained glass rose window and climb the cathedral tower to view Petite France and the Rhine River.

In addition to the historic area, Strasbourg is home to the European Parliament. Strasbourg is the perfect city to visit if you are looking for Christmas Markets. Each town square has a Christmas market in the Christmas season, and all of Strasbourg is decorated for the holidays.

It’s wonderful to wander the city with a glass of hot cider or mulled wine and look at the window displays, Christmas trees, and lights. The cathedral displays nativity scenes inside that are worth exploring at Christmas time. This is just one of the fabulous things about wintertime in France.

When you are in Strasbourg, you should try some of the regional specialties of Alsace. Tarte flambée (Flammekueche) is pizza-like with its thin crust but is topped with cream, onions, and ham.

For snack food, the bretzel is the Alsatian version of a pretzel, and it’s great on-the-go food for exploring Strasbourg. Kougelhopf is one of the region’s most famous desserts, and it is a sweet brioche with raisins baked in a Bundt pan.

With good food (and wine!) and a gorgeous historical center, Strasbourg is an easy choice for one of your day trips from Paris by train. It feels like you have stepped back in time, and even though it’s popular with tourists, it retains its charm.

Another great option in Alsace is to take an Alsace bike tour.  This is a great way to see the countryside.  

Rouen 

Submitted by Stella of Around the World in 24 Hours

One of the most fabulous day trips from Paris by train is Rouen.  Rouen is just a 90-minute train trip from Paris, but it feels like it’s separated from France’s capital by about 600 years.

That’s because Rouen, the capital of the Normandy region, was at its most powerful in the Middle Ages.

Today, the lucky traveler who visits Rouen will marvel at the city’s fabulous medieval architecture. Perhaps the most famous building in Rouen is the Rouen Cathedral. After all, Claude Monet himself painted it more than 30 times.

Don’t miss Rouen Cathedral’s famous “Butter Tower.” This was paid for by French people who didn’t want to have to give up their butter during Lent. Apparently, if you made a donation to help build the tower, you got to keep your butter. 

My favorite building in Rouen is the elaborate Saint-Ouen Church. It looks like a stone airship someone turned upside down and covered with frosting decorations.  

On a more somber note, you can visit the Place du Vieux Marche. This is where Joan of Arc, now the patron saint of France, was burned at the stake.

But even if you’re not interested in the Middle Ages, there’s still plenty to do in Rouen. Shoppers should go on a hunt for the delicate porcelain called faience that Rouen is famous for. You can find some at many of the antique shops in the city or at Faience Saint Romain. 

Those with a sweet tooth will want to sample the local candy, paillardises. These have a crunchy toffee-like interior surrounded by a coat of dark chocolate. Be warned, they are extremely addictive. 

At the end of the day, head home on your train/time machine back to Paris.

There are several great guided tours of Rouen if you are interested.

Brussels

Submitted by Janine of Gastrotravelogue

When you think about day trips from a city, you tend to think about staying in the same country. However, Paris is the ideal base to explore many European destinations. There is an excellent rail network with high-speed trains to whizz you away to another country and a change of pace.

Brussels is only 90 minutes by train, so it is an easy day trip. The city is compact and simple to navigate, so if you have a day in Brussels, you can see the highlights.

You will, of course, have to include a tasting of Belgium beer, at least one waffle, and a healthy portion of frites during the course of the day; after all, walking around a city is thirsty work!

The Grand Place is a good place to start, as the square is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also where many free walking tours start, which is always a good way of seeing a city.  

A short walk from the square is another main attraction, the Mannekin Pis, although I must warn you it will be a disappointment. 

Belgium is known for giving us some lovable comic book characters. Tin Tin and Asterix are probably the most popular.

There is an interesting Comic Book Walk in and around the city, so keep your eyes open and remember to look up and you may be surprised at what you find. A short walk in the other direction is the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert in 3 parts.

This historic gallery is full of shops that sell heavenly Belgium chocolate, gourmet goodies, and restaurants.

A visit to Brussels probably wasn’t on your bucket list, but it is worth considering if you find yourself in Paris with a day to spare.

While visiting Brussels, why not take a guided tour of the city?  There are several tours offered, including a chocolate tour!  Click here to see all the options.

Chateau Fountainebleau

Written by Me, Michelle of That Texas Couple

Rounding out our list of great day trips from Paris by train is the fabulous Chateau Fontainebleau.  Of course, there are many reasons to visit Chateau Fontainebleau besides just the short train ride.

This beautiful chateau has been a residence for French ruling families for over eight centuries.  Upon arrival, you will notice the beautiful horseshoe-shaped staircase that has greeted visitors for years.

After snapping the perfect picture of the gorgeous staircase, wander inside to see the splendor of this historic home.  You will find an opulently decorated palace that houses Napoleon’s throne and the bed that Marie Antoinette slept on!

After touring the palace, make sure that you take time to visit the palace gardens.  There are four main gardens at Chateau Fontainebleau, each with a unique style and character.

Once you are finished exploring the gardens, take some time to roam around the town before heading back to Paris.

Consider taking a guided tour to get the most out of your time at the chateau.

Final Thoughts on Day Trips From Paris by Train

As you can see, you can choose from so many day trips from Paris by train. Whether you want a French chateau or a day in the French countryside, we have you covered.

Comment below and tell us about another day trip we missed from Paris by train. We love adding to our list!

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