Last updated on November 6th, 2024 at 02:32 pm
Looking for some fantastic day trips from Paris by train?
Paris, with its elegance, history and great food, is a bucket list travel destination. But, there’s so much more to discover just a train ride away. Day trips from Paris offer an escape into charming towns and villages, unbeatable historic sites, and exciting family thrills, all easily accessible via the French rail system.
Our list of easy train trips from Paris below is perfect for families with kids, filled with both educational experiences and exciting adventures. If you have the time, make sure you add a couple to your Paris Itinerary.
Here’s our guide to the best day trips from Paris – get ready to make some unforgettable memories!
Day Trips from Paris by Train (plus Travel Times and Departure Stations)
Here are our top 12 recommendations for day trips from Paris – all of which are suitable for families:
1. Disneyland Paris
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Departure Station: Gare de Lyon (RER A)
Why Visit: A magical experience for kids and adults alike, Disneyland Paris offers thrilling rides, colourful parades, and Disney character meet and greets. This is easily number one when it comes to day trips from Paris with kids.
Disneyland Paris, which opened in the early 1990s, is smaller than the US version. Located in Marne-la-Vallée, it includes two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You’ll get to enjoy themed lands such as Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland. Plus, younger kids will love meeting the Disney characters during meet-and-greet sessions.
Look out for family-friendly rides such as It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Peter Pan’s Flight and popular shows such as The Lion King: Rhythm of the Pridelands
Book your tickets in advance. There are some good value hotels near Disneyland Paris so it’s a good option to base yourselves here and travel into the centre of Paris to see the sights if you want to spend more than one day at Disney.
✅ BOOK TICKETS TO DISNEYLAND PARIS HERE
✅ BOOK HOTELS AT DISNEYLAND PARIS HERE
2. Château de Versailles
Travel Time: 1 hour
Departure Station: Gare Montparnasse or Gare Saint-Lazare (SNCF) or RER C from central Paris
Why Visit: This opulent palace with beautiful gardens is definitely worth exploring. Make sure you check out the Hall of Mirrors and the musical fountain shows.
The chateau was originally a hunting lodge (built by King Louis XIII in 1623). It was developed and expanded by his son, King Louis XIV, becoming the impressive palace you’ll see today. It also became the location of the French court and government in 1682.
The palace frequently runs family tours and workshops for children.
You can rent bicycles or a golf cart to explore the gardens. In the summer, bring a picnic and enjoy it by the Grand Canal.
The palace is closed on Mondays. Weekday visits are recommended, as is visiting earlier in the day due to the likelihood of crowds at other times.
Book in advance, as tickets often sell out in peak season.
✅ BOOK TICKETS AND TOURS TO VERSAILLES HERE
3. Giverny (Monet’s Garden)
Travel Time: 45 minutes to Vernon, plus a short shuttle or taxi ride to Giverny
Departure Station: Gare Saint-Lazare (SNCF)
Why Visit: You’ll get to wander through the beautiful gardens that inspired Claude Monet’s masterpieces. The flowers, lily ponds and bridges will be a hit with children (and art lovers).
Giverny is in Normandy and it’s where the artist Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926.
His lily pond paintings are well known and this garden was the source of his inspiration. He transformed the garden, creating the pond and installing a Japanese-style bridge himself.
There are several different options for tours, including audio guides and fully guided tours. You can also visit Monet’s house and studio.
Visit in Spring or Summer to see Monet’s garden in its full glory (weekday mornings are best).
✅ BOOK TICKETS AND TOURS TO GIVERNY AND MONET’S GARDEN HERE
4. Fontainebleau
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Departure Station: Gare de Lyon (SNCF)
Why Visit: The historic Château de Fontainebleau has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. Its impressive forest is also worth making the visit for. Plus the extensive gardens are perfect for picnics and outdoor activities.
When you explore the château’s rooms, make sure you don’t miss the Throne Room – used by Napoleon and the only one remaining in France.
You can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and horse riding in the 25,000-hectare forest. There are regular family-friendly tours and treasure hunts organised by the château too.
Fontainebleau is closed on Tuesdays. Purchase tickets in advance; entrance to the gardens is free.
✅ BOOKS TICKETS AND TOURS FOR FONTAINEBLEAU HERE
5. Château de Chantilly
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Departure Station: Gare du Nord (SNCF)
Why Visit: This stunning 16th Century château has beautiful gardens, an impressive art collection, and is said to be the birthplace of France’s famous Chantilly cream. Plus, if you’re looking for quick train trips from Paris, this is definitely the one for you!
The grounds are great for family exploration – you can even whizz around the gardens in a golf cart if you choose (you can hire one for 30 minutes or 1 hour).
Visit the Living Museum of the Horse to find out more about the horse’s role in history. Plus, the equestrian demonstrations and shows will wow the kids. These involve a chance to meet the horses and donkeys too.
Enjoy a boat ride on the Grand Canal in the gardens or pick up a kids’ quiz booklet and tour the château.
Closed on Tuesdays.
✅ BOOK TOURS TO CHATEAU DE CHANTILLY HERE
6. Provins
Travel Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Departure Station: Gare de l’Est (SNCF)
Why Visit: You’ll step back in time when you visit this medieval town which became particularly prosperous in the Middle Ages as a key trading centre. Since 2001, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been carefully preserved.
You can watch medieval reenactments and jousting tournaments in Provins, such as The Legend of the Knights.
Plus, there are a number of things to see and do here – including climbing the Caesar Tower (for excellent views) and exploring The Underground Tunnels (used for both storage and a hiding place during sieges).
There’s a small farm you can visit (children can interact with the animals) and The Jumping Forest with 6 tree climbing courses and archery on offer is a great addition as well.
7. Reims (Champagne Region)
Travel Time: 45 minutes
Departure Station: Gare de l’Est (TGV)
Why Visit: Day trips from Paris to Champagne are quick and convenient. Famous for its cathedral where French kings were crowned, Reims also offers a chance to learn about the Champagne region – with lots of family-friendly tours available.
Reims was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC, becoming a major city in the Roman Empire. It’s famous as it became the site for the coronation of all French kings.
Make sure you visit the Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to view some fantastic Gothic architecture. There are interactive tours and events for kids – plus entrance is free for anyone under 18 years old.
Reims is at the centre of the Champagne region. Famous champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger offer tours of their cellars (suitable for families).
✅ BOOK DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS TO CHAMPAGNE AND REIMS HERE
8. Parc Astérix
Travel Time: 1 hour (train to Charles de Gaulle Airport, then shuttle bus)
Departure Station: Gare du Nord (SNCF to Charles de Gaulle Airport, then shuttle bus to the park)
Why Visit: A theme park based on the much loved Astérix comics, there are roller coasters, water rides, and live shows that’ll keep the children happy. A fantastic choice when it comes to considering day trips from Paris with kids.
There are themed areas and rides such as the Roman Empire, Egypt and The Vikings (with rides centred around each of those regions and periods of history). Thrillseekers will be happy with the range of rollercoasters on offer (wooden, steel, plus ones with inversions).
You can also enjoy live shows, musicals and themed dinners featuring Astérix and friends.
The park is usually open from April to November, with themed events for Halloween and Christmas.
✅ BOOK TICKETS AND TOURS TO PARC ASTERIX HERE
9. Auvers-sur-Oise
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Departure Station: Gare du Nord (SNCF)
Why Visit: You’ll be able to follow in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh if you visit this pretty village, which is one of the most easy train trips from Paris. Visit some of the sites he painted and enjoy the countryside, which seems worlds away from busy Paris.
Head to the Van Gogh House (Auberge Ravoux), where the artist spent the last 70 days of his life. It’s been preserved as a historical site, and you can visit Van Gogh’s simple attic room where he spent much of his time.
Auvers-sur-Oise is also the inspiration for some of Van Gogh’s most famous artworks, including “Wheatfield with Crows” and “The Church at Auvers.”
Van Gogh is buried in the village cemetery next to his brother Theo.
Also in the village is the Absinthe Museum (Maison de l’Absinthe) where you can learn about the history of the drink favoured by many of the artists and writers of the 19th century.
✅ BOOK TOURS OF AUVERS-SUR-OISE HERE
10. Rouen
Travel Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Departure Station: Gare Saint-Lazare (SNCF)
Why Visit: This historic city in Normandy offers some amazing medieval architecture, which includes the famous Rouen Cathedral, and the Joan of Arc museum, which is fascinating for kids and adults alike.
Rouen is one of the best day trips from Paris in winter as there are plenty of indoor attractions.
Start by visiting the Gothic Rouen Cathedral and climbing the tower for great views of the city. The cathedral features in several of Claude Monet’s paintings, captured by him at different times of the day.
Next, head to the Joan of Arc History Museum with its interactive, multi-media exhibits telling the story of her life and trial.
Finally, take a walk through the medieval streets and visit the Gros-Horloge clock (a beautiful astronomical clock in the centre of Rouen).
Stop for lunch at one of the traditional restaurants in the area and try one of the dishes Normandy is famed for (Duck à la Rouennaise is a good pick).
✅ BOOK HERE FOR TOURS OF ROUEN
11. Bordeaux
Travel Time: 2 hours
Departure Station: Gare Montparnasse (SNCF)
Why Visit: Bordeaux is known for its history, architecture, and world-famous wine. It’s an excellent destination for a family day trip, offering attractions that cater to both adults and children.
Day trips from Paris to Bordeaux take a little longer (2 hours) than our other recommendations – so make sure you leave early and have a full free day ahead of you.
Start off at the Place de la Bourse and Miroir d’eau – a square featuring classical 18th-century architecture and the world’s largest reflecting pool. Kids will love playing in the shallow water of the Miroir d’eau, which creates reflections and mist effects.
Cité du Vin is a modern wine museum that offers an interactive journey through the world of wine. It’s worth visiting as a family for “Le Petit Prince” – a special area for children, where they can learn about wine in a fun and educational way.
Also great for kids are:
- Jardin Public (a beautiful public park with botanical gardens, a playground, and a puppet theatre)
- Zoo de Bordeaux Pessac (with animals from around the world, this zoo is located a short taxi ride from the city centre)
- A Bordeaux River Cruise (along the Garonne River)
✅ BOOK BORDEAUX TOURS AND ACTIVITIES HERE
12. Lille
Travel Time: 1 hour
Departure Station: Gare du Nord (TGV)
Why Visit: There’s lots going on in Lille, with impressive museums and the large Citadel Park.
Start your visit at the Parc Zoologique de Lille, a free zoo located within the Parc de la Citadelle.
Also located there is Cita-Parc, a small amusement park which is good for kids.
Another great place to head is the Lille Natural History Museum (Musée d’Histoire Naturelle de Lille). It offers some great interactive exhibits (including dinosaurs)!
Don’t miss the chance to explore Vieux Lille (Old Lille) with its cobblestone streets, colourful Flemish houses, and unique shops. Stop by the Lille Puppet Theatre for a traditional puppet show that will entertain you all.
✅ BOOK TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN LILLE
Day Trips from Paris: The Verdict
Exploring beyond the city of Paris will demonstrate that there’s so much more to see and do in this part of France. Our recommended day trips from Paris with kids provide a perfect combination of history, education and fun, making sure there’s something for everyone.
So hop on a train and head to one of these places to visit from Paris – and make the most of your time in and around the captivating capital of France.
Looking for some fabulous quotes about Paris? Head to 55 Charming Paris Captions for some inspiration!
Travelling on from Paris to other parts of France? Aix En Provence makes a great choice – especially in the spring and summer months. It’ll take you just over 3 and a half hours by train from Paris.
