Best Day Trips from Paris by Train (2026): Versailles, Giverny & More

Paris is the perfect base for exploring northern France. Within an hour or two by train you can walk through royal palaces, Monet’s flower garden, Gothic cathedrals, Champagne cellars and medieval old towns — and be back in Paris for dinner.

This guide lists the best day trips from Paris by train in 2026, with journey times, departure stations, ticket tips, entrance prices and opening seasons, plus which trips are easier with a guided tour. Details come from Art Visit Guide (July 2026); train fares outside the Paris region vary with demand, so book SNCF tickets early.

Best day trips from Paris at a glance

Source: Art Visit Guide, July 2026. The €2.55 ticket and Navigo passes are valid only within the Île-de-France region — they cover Versailles, Fontainebleau, Auvers-sur-Oise and Disneyland, but not Chantilly, Giverny, Rouen, Chartres or Reims.

1. Versailles — the classic day trip

Louis XIV’s palace, the Hall of Mirrors, Marie-Antoinette’s estate and endless gardens. Take the RER C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche, go at opening and avoid Mondays (closed). Full details in our Versailles tickets guide.

2. Giverny — Monet’s garden

Claude Monet’s house and garden, with the famous water-lily pond and Japanese bridge, is magical from spring to early autumn. It’s open from 1 April to 1 November 2026, daily 10 am–6 pm; entry costs €13 (source). Take a train from Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny, then the shuttle bus. Tip: arrive at opening for the bridge without crowds; e-tickets can’t be changed from 1 May 2026.

3. Chantilly — château, art and horses

Only 23 minutes from Gare du Nord, the Château de Chantilly houses the Musée Condé — one of France’s finest old-master collections — plus the Great Stables and a beautiful park. Entry is €18 (grounds only €9); closed Tuesdays. It’s included in the Paris Museum Pass. Allow 4–5 hours (source).

4. Fontainebleau — the “house of the centuries”

Home to French monarchs for eight centuries, the Château de Fontainebleau is less crowded than Versailles and surrounded by a vast forest. Take the Transilien R from Gare de Lyon and bus line 1. Entry €17; closed Tuesdays; free on the first Sunday of the month outside July–August (source).

5. Reims — Champagne and a coronation cathedral

The TGV from Gare de l’Est reaches Reims in about 45 minutes. Visit the cathedral where French kings were crowned (free; towers €9) and tour a Champagne house — book cellar visits in advance. Note that the Palais du Tau is closed throughout 2026 (source). Compare Champagne tours from Paris.

6. Rouen and Chartres — Gothic masterpieces

Rouen (1h13 from Saint-Lazare) has a half-timbered old town, the cathedral Monet painted again and again, and free municipal museums. Chartres (about an hour from Montparnasse) is famous for its 12th–13th-century stained glass; the evening light show “Chartres en Lumières” runs from 11 April 2026 to 3 January 2027 — check the last train time (source).

7. Auvers-sur-Oise — in Van Gogh’s footsteps

The village where Van Gogh spent his last weeks and painted some 70 works. Visit the Maison de Van Gogh (€10, open 4 March–22 November 2026, closed Monday and Tuesday) and his grave. On weekends and holidays from April to October, a direct train leaves Paris Nord at 9:38 am and returns at 6:15 pm (source).

8. Disneyland Paris

About 35–45 minutes by RER A, with tickets from about €56. See our Disneyland Paris tickets guide for prices and tips.

Longer day trips: easier with a tour

• Mont-Saint-Michel: the famous abbey on a tidal island is a very long day from Paris by train and bus. A coach tour saves planning and connections. Compare Mont-Saint-Michel tours.
• Normandy D-Day beaches: Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc are spread out and need a car or tour.
• Loire Valley châteaux: Chambord, Chenonceau and others are far apart; a tour or a high-speed train plus a local tour works best.

Tips for day trips from Paris

1. Book SNCF tickets early for destinations outside Île-de-France — prices rise closer to the date.
2. Check closing days: Versailles closes on Mondays; Chantilly and Fontainebleau on Tuesdays; Reims cathedral area attractions vary.
3. Use the Paris Museum Pass for Versailles, Chantilly and Fontainebleau — see our Paris Museum Pass guide.
4. Leave early and come back for dinner in Paris.
5. Get mobile data for train apps: an eSIM for France.

More Paris guides

• Versailles tickets
• Paris in 3 days
• Paris Museum Pass
• Where to stay in Paris — near the right station for your day trips
• Paris travel guide

FAQ: Day trips from Paris

What is the best day trip from Paris?

Versailles for first-timers, Giverny for garden lovers (April to November), and Reims for Champagne.

What are the easiest day trips from Paris by train?

Versailles (RER C), Chantilly (23 minutes from Gare du Nord), Fontainebleau, Auvers-sur-Oise and Disneyland Paris.

Can I use my metro ticket for day trips from Paris?

Only within the Île-de-France region: Versailles, Fontainebleau, Auvers-sur-Oise and Disneyland. Other destinations need an SNCF ticket.

Is Giverny open all year?

No. Monet’s house and garden are open from 1 April to 1 November in 2026.

Can you do Mont-Saint-Michel as a day trip from Paris?

Yes, but it’s a long day. A guided coach tour is the easiest way.

How do I get from Paris to Reims?

Take a TGV from Gare de l’Est — from about 45 minutes, with a seat reservation.