Although you’ll probably never run out of ways to entertain yourself in the City of Light, just outside the confines of Paris lays a multitude of chocolate-box towns, picturesque French countryside and a plethora of history.
Why not stretch your limits and take a day trip to somewhere new? France is so much more than just Paris and the chance to experience the authentic French life is no more than a train ride away…
Go Medieval in Provins
Just under 50 miles south east from the bustling streets of Paris you’ll find Provins, a beautifully preserved French town stuck in a medieval time warp. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Provins is still encircled by its centuries old city wall and offers striking buildings, winding streets, underground passageways and even a castle. In the summer months, the town really embraces its medieval heritage, hosting jousting tournaments and falconry shows. It really is like stepping back in time. Image source
Top tip: Dine at la Croix d’Or, Provins’ deliciously gourmet restaurant.
How to get there: Trains leave for Provins every half an hour from Gare de l’Est and take just 90 minutes.
Wander Monet’s gardens at Giverny
Even before you’ve stepped foot in Giverny, you’re sure to recognise where it is you’re heading to. Once h0me to the infamous Claude Monet, the French impressionist painter ensured that his house and gardens were forever immortalised on canvas, capturing the beauty of the water lilies and Japanese style bridges that visitors the world over would come to recognise. Lovingly restored to look exactly as they would have in Monet’s day (he lived there 1883-1926), Giverny and its gardens are an unmissable day trip, just 45 minutes outside of Paris. Image source
Top tip: August is the best time to visit, when the gardens are full to the brim with beautiful water lilies.
How to get there:Take the train from Paris’ Gare Saint Lazare to Vernon. From there, it’s an hour’s walk, a 15 minute cycle (they’re available to hire outside the station) or a short bus ride to Giverny.
Get artistic in Auvers-sur-Oise
From one painter to another, Auvers-sur-Oise is best known as the last home of Vincent van Gogh in the final three months of his life – as well as painters Manet, Cézanne and Renoir. Working inexhaustibly, he created one piece every single day up until his death, many of which take from this pretty village based just 16 miles outside of Paris. Whether you visit van Gogh’s attic apartment at the top of Auberge Ravoux or take a pew at the restaurant’s table number 5, where he enjoyed his meals, Auvers is a picture-postcard town with plenty on offer. Image source
Top tip: Visit the village church where Van Gogh now rests alongside his brother, Theo.
How to get there: From April to October, a direct 35 minute train from Gare du Nord to Auvers leaves at 9.56am and returns at 6.58pm. The rest of the year, it’s best to take a train from either Gare du Nord or St. Lazare and transfer at Valmondois, Pointoise or St. Ouen for Auvers.
Become royal at Fontainebleau
At 100 square miles, the commune of Fontainebleau is larger than the city of Paris. Within this lays the forest of Fontainebleau – a former royal hunting ground – and the Château de Fontainebleau. Dating back to the 16th century, this royal palace has been home to the likes of Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, boasting hundreds of decadent rooms and wonderfully preserved artefacts. So why not make a change from the overvisited Versailles and instead enjoy the quiet elegance of Fontainebleau? Image source
Top tip: Pack a picnic and explore the beautiful colours and tranquil wilderness of the Fontainbleau forest.
How to get there: It’s a simple 40 minute train journey to Fontainebleau-Avon station from Paris’ Gare de Lyon.
Feel Flemish in Lille
Sitting right on the border with Belgium, Lille is a charming metropolis with strong Flemish roots. Boasting an impressive collection of cultural activity, the city is home to an abundance of art galleries, museums, restaurants and nightlife. Watch the world go by whilst enjoying a waffle at a café on Grand Place or take a visit to the open market of Marché de Wazemmes; Lille is the largest city in French Flanders and feels a world away from Paris – despite only being one hour. Image source
Top tip: If you fancy spending the night in this Flemish feast for the eyes, there are plenty of great deals on hotels in Lille with Expedia.
How to get there: Lille is just one hour on the train from Paris’ Gare du Nord.
So there you have it, five ways to escape Paris for the day and still be back in time for dinner. What are you waiting for?
