With many appealing places only 20 to 40 minutes away from the center of Paris, it’s quick and easy to get out and explore. It’s also very cheap if you take the Metro or RER train with most fares less than €5.

Whether you fancy checking out a new nearby city, visiting a spectacular church, an ancient chateau, or chowing down on a French picnic in a newly discovered park, here are 8 fun and affordable day trips to get out of Paris.

The trips

Click below to read all about our recommended day trips from Paris. (Approximate travel times from the Chatelet Metro and RER station in central Paris.)

1. Saint Germain en Laye

Travel time: 30 minutes.
Highlights: Middle-Age royal residences.

2. The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

Travel time: 25 minutes.
Highlights: Gothic cathedral that’ll knock your chausettes off.

3. Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

Travel time: 20 minutes.
Highlights: One of the country’s largest Medieval chateaux and nature escape.

4. Chateau Malmaison

Travel time: 40 minutes.
Highlights: Napoleon and Josephine’s “modest” countryside getaway.

5. Parc de Sceaux

Travel time: 25 minutes.
Highlights: Picnic-ready park, masterfully designed by Le Notre.

6. Island of the Impressionists

Travel time: 25 minutes.
Highlights: Feast inside a Renoir painting on an island in the Seine.

7. Saint Maur des Fossés

Travel time: 25 minutes.
Highlights: Picnic next to Medieval ruins.

8. Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

Travel time: 30 minutes.
Highlights. Dance and drink like it’s the Belle Epoque.

Getting there

With many lines on the Metro system extending past the Parisian border, visiting surrounding areas is in some cases as easy as hopping on a Metro or a bus line that enters another city. The Metro and bus cost the same in suburban areas as they do in Paris: €1.80 for a single ride.

Another option for quick getaways is the RER, or the Reseau Express Network, a group of five commuter rail lines. Here’s a look at the RER network map.

RER Ticket Prices

Mostly used by locals for getting to work in the Paris region, this commuter rail network is reasonably priced. The RER network stops are grouped into five zones (Paris is zone 1). While the price varies depending on the line and where you depart, if you buy a ticket from the center of Paris to a station in zones 2, 3 or 4, you won’t pay more than €5 for a one-way ticket, while in zone 5, your ticket won’t exceed €10.

Aside from single ride tickets, the Navigo Découverte card, daily Mobilis ticket, Paris Visite Pass, and Paris Passlib’ offer unlimited ride options on both the Metro and the RER for a flat fee.

Related: How to save on money on Paris transportation

Getting tickets

To ride the RER, you can buy single ride tickets at the same kiosks inside the station where you buy Metro tickets. But never throw away your tickets after using them, as many RER stations require that you run the ticket through a turnstile again in order to exit at your destination.

The post Paris: 8 fantastic day trips less than an hour away by train appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The ruins of a 9th-century abbey can also be found in the center park of this city, known as Le Parc de Saint Maur, including archways, a stone tower and a cellar. Also in the park are ruins from a 19th-century Italian-style manor.

To enjoy Saint Maur to its utmost, consider assembling a picnic lunch from the traditional French shops situated the main road leading away from the train station, Avenue Charles de Gaulle, which include a bakery, a butcher, a cheese shop and a wine shop. After gathering whatever cheese, lunch meats, drinks and baked goods that suit your fancy, tuck into your hearty French lunch among the ruins in the park.

Logistics

Travel time:
25 minutes from central Paris

How to get there:
Take the RER A to Le Parc du Saint Maur

Travel cost:
€2.75 from Paris RER station Chatelet Les Halles

See the map below for directions.

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Chateau Malmaison

• Parc de Sceaux

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Saint Maur des Fossés: Paris Day Trips appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Unfortunately, swimming in the Marne is prohibited nowadays, but a recent guinguette revival has people flocking to the riverside to dance and drink anyway. Older couples are just as common in these places as younger ones.

The theme of dance nights vary and can include traditional French waltz nights, complete with boater hats and accordions, as well as salsa nights, line dancing, old school ’80s rock nights and more. Try La Guinguette de l’île du Martin Pêcheur in Champigny or Chez Gégène in Joinville le Pont.

Logistics

Travel time:
30 minutes from central Paris

Travel costs:
€2.75 from Paris RER station Chatelet Les Halles

How to get there:
Take the RER A to Joinville le Pont or Champigny.

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Chateau Malmaison

• Parc de Sceaux

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

The post Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This boater-hat happy place, called La Maison Fornaise, serves up traditional French cuisine on an island in the Seine. Eating at this restaurant, combined with a stroll along the sunlit island and a visit to the attached impressionist museum, is a perfect fix for anyone interested in impressionism and the Belle époque period in France.

But be aware that due to the restaurant’s popularity, it’s important to call ahead and make reservations, even if you just want to grab a drink on the terrasse.

Logistics

Travel time:
25 minutes from central Paris

How to get there:
Take the RER A to Chatou-Croissy

Travel costs:
€4 from Paris RER station Chatelet Les Halles

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Chateau Malmaison

• Parc de Sceaux

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Island of the Impressionists: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Parc de Sceaux is a large French style park designed by landscape architect Andre Le Notre, whose portfolio includes the gardens at Versailles and chateau Chantilly.

Full of symmetrical plant arrangements, canals, fountains, Roman-inspired statues and waterways, this is one classy French garden. Overlooking the scene is a large country home dating from the 19th century.

It now houses the Museum of Ile de France, which includes paintings, ceramics and furniture that showcase the history of the region. What’s more, the gardens and the museum are both completely free.

Logistics

Travel time:
25 minutes from central Paris

How to get there:
Take the RER B to Parc de Sceaux

Travel costs:
€2.75 from Paris RER station Chatelet Les Halles

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Chateau Malmaison

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Parc de Sceaux: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Tour the chateau to learn more about this time period in France, including the art and the décor, as well as the day to day activities of Napoleon and Josephine, two of the most powerful people that lived during the time.

While you can take a bus to the chateau, if you enjoy walking, consider taking the RER A to the stop Rueil Malmaison and taking the 40-minute walk to the chateau. Walking will bring you through quiet streets with some surprisingly beautiful homes. See the map below for walking directions.

Logistics

Travel time:
40 minutes from central Paris

How to get there:
Take Metro line 1 to La Défense, then take bus 258 to the “le Chateau” stop or take the RER A to Rueil Malmaison, followed by a 40-minute walk

Costs
Travel: Either standard Metro/bus ticket or €4 from Paris RER station Chatelet Les Halles
Admission: The entrance fee is €6.50 for an adult

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Parc de Sceaux

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Chateau Malmaison: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But this large, awe-inspiring cathedral, with flying buttresses and gargoyles galore, could be said to rival Notre Dame in size and aesthetics. Finished in 1144, it’s also considered to be the first Gothic church ever built. With that, plus the fact that there is never a tourist crowd to contend with, this cathedral is more than worth the trip out of Paris.

The church itself is free to visit at all times, but there is a €8.50 entrance fee to the crypt, which houses the final resting places of several French kings.

Market

Also located near the cathedral is a bustling market, le Marché de Saint Denis. Since the city of Saint Denis itself is a blend of French, African, Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, this market has a wonderful multicultural feel, with a variety of food and fabrics for sale from all over the world.

The market is open three days a week, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. It’s also quite inexpensive, a delightful contrast to the steep prices seen at many open air markets in Paris.

Logistics

Travel time:
25 minutes from Central Paris

How to get there:
Take Metro line 13 to Basilique de Saint-Denis

Travel cost:
Standard Metro ticket

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Chateau Malmaison

• Parc de Sceaux

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Saint Denis Cathedral and market: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Touring this chateau reveals not only various medieval chambers but also remnants of the old prison, including a reproduction of the Marquis de Sade’s cell. If you look closely, you’ll also notice old graffiti dating from 1789 on the walls of the chateau, likely etched there by bored prisoners. You can also visit the airy medieval chapel next door, inspired by the Sainte Chapelle in Paris. Ticket prices are €8.50, with everything free the first Sunday of every month from November to March.

Behind the chateau you’ll find the Parc Floral, a park sculpted with a variety of flower species, blooming in all different colors in the springtime.

Besides the main attractions, Vincennes itself is an attractive, walkable city with a plethora of shops, bakeries and restaurants. Numerous festivals also take place in Vincennes, either in the center of the city of Vincennes or the park. This year, for example, if you’re a jazz aficionado, Vincennes is hosting the Paris Jazz Festival this June and July.

Logistics

Travel time:
20 minutes from central Paris

How to get there:
Take Metro line 1 to Chateau de Vincennes or take the RER A to Vincennes

Travel costs:
€2.75 from the Paris RER station Chatelet les Halles

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• Saint Germain en Laye

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau Malmaison

• Parc de Sceaux

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

An old royal town, the chateau of Saint Germaine en Laye was the residence of a variety of French monarchs from the Middle Ages up until the French Revolution. Louis XIV, the French monarch known as “The Sun King,” was also born within this chateau’s many rooms.

Nowadays visitors can tour the royal Gothic chapel and wander around the gardens. The chateau itself has been since converted into the National Archeology Museum (Musée d’Archeologie Nationale), but it is no less interesting. The museum features a sprawling collection of antiquities from France, from the pre-historic period up to the early Middle Ages. One of the most fascinating pieces is la Dame de Brassempouy, a 25,000-year-old ivory statue that is one of the earliest representations of a human face ever found by archaeologists.

While a ticket to see the chapel and the archaeology exhibition is €7, this museum, like many in the Paris region, is free the first Sunday of every month. But because it’s out in the suburbs, unlike many Parisian museums, it doesn’t get nearly as crowded.

Logistics

Travel time:
30 minutes from central Paris

How to get there:
Take the RER A to Saint Germain en Laye.

Travel cost:
€4 one-way from Paris RER station Chatelet Les Halles.

Other day trips

This is just one of our recommended day trips from our guide to “Fantastic Day Trips less than an Hour from Paris”. Click below to read more:

• The Saint Denis Cathedral and market

• Chateau de Vincennes and Parc Floral

• Chateau Malmaison

• Parc de Sceaux

• Island of the Impressionists

• Saint Maur des Fossés

• Drink, dance and boat along the River Marne

The post Saint Germain en Laye: Paris Day Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

With that in mind, we’ve come up with a list of places that are typical day trips but can also easily be transformed into a budget overnighter from Paris. You just need to nab a cheap bed for the night (that’s where EuroCheapo comes in).

So as much as we love Paris, let’s take a break and get out of town! Here are our 7 favorite overnight escapes:

The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is well worth the trip from Paris. Photo: Dennis Jarvis

Bayeux

In just over two hours you can reach Normandy and the town of Bayeux. (The train can be a bit pricier, so renting a car might be a better bet.) The town, known especially for its famous medieval tapestry, is charming enough to hold your attention for an afternoon.

Bayeux was the first town to be freed by the Allies in the waning days of World War II and wasn’t destroyed during the Liberation. Spend an evening in town, and the following day drive out to the Normandy beaches to explore an important piece of World War II history.

Hotels: Bayeux and the surrounding area offers nearly 50 hotels with online booking. Still, if visiting during peak tourist season (late spring to early fall), book well in advance. Search hotels in and around Bayeux

The glorious Château de Chantilly gives Versailles a run for its money with lower fees and fewer tourists. Photo: gcattiau

Chantilly

Forget Versailles. The Château de Chantilly, located just 25 minutes from Paris by train, is worth exploring for a full day. It houses a series of rooms decked out with furniture and art but draws nothing like the number of tourists at its more famous cousin, Versailles.

And there’s more than just the chateau here — be sure to stroll the beautiful gardens, and visit the stunning stables (and catch a dressage show, if you’re lucky!). The town itself doesn’t have much to boast about, but grab a bike and ride around the grounds or even as far as the tiny town of Senlis to take advantage of an overnight.

Hotels: Chantilly has only about a dozen hotels with online booking, but also far fewer overnight tourists. Search hotels in Chantilly

Prepare to be captivated by the stunning city center of Chartres. Photo: Peter D

Chartres

You can get to Chartres in about an hour by train. The standout feature here is the cathedral, stunningly preserved with many original stained glass windows. You’ll notice a disparity between the two steeples, as well – a signature feature.

The town has some pretty cool light shows at night from April to October, which means an overnight will be essential to see the city at its most illuminated. You can spend the next morning strolling along the Eure River or exploring the medieval vestiges remaining throughout the town.

Hotels: Chartres has several budget hotels available near the center of town. Search hotels in Chartres

Giverny

Take the train 45 minutes to Vernon to explore Monet’s gardens at Giverny. If you take the train, there are bikes available from the café at the station’s exist for just a few euros – a much better option than cramming onto the bus with the other tourists. You’ll bike through the town of Vernon, which has cute streets and a church that are lovely to explore.

The main attraction, of course, is nearby at Giverny, with its famous pond, Japanese bridge, and water lilies. While the garden is the main draw, there is also a Museum of Impressionists nearby that’s worth visiting.

Hotels: A small town, Vernon offers a few budget-friendly sleeping options. Book early. Search hotels in Vernon and Giverny

Lille

A major French city that’s too often skipped over by travelers, Lille is only about an hour away from Paris by TGV. Tasty foods like waffles from Meert and Flemish dishes are a welcome change of pace from Parisian offerings (even though Meert is also in Paris!).

Offering a market three days a week, several museums and plenty of architecture to explore (including the impressive Place Général-de-Gaulle), a daytrip could suffice. An overnighter, however, means you get to enjoy the city’s beer culture – it’s really close to Belgium, after all!

Hotels: A major city, Lille has no shortage of budget-friendly hotel options. Search 150 hotels in Lille

Reims

The TGV can get you to the heart of Champagne in just over 45 minutes, but with two main towns to visit, it might be best to rent a car and explore it all with an overnight trip (though drink responsibly!). All that talk of bubbly might have anticipating a hefty price tag, but it only costs around €15 for a visit to one of the regions famous “caves”, including a Champagne tasting.

Be sure to also visit the Cathedral Notre Dame at Reims, and make time for taking a tour at one of the big champagne producers, like Veuve Clicquot or Pommery. On day two, keep on tasting in nearby Epernay, where you can visit the smaller luxury houses before heading back to Paris.

Hotels: With 65 hotels offering online booking, Reims offers a variety of budget options. Search hotels in Reims

Rouen

In as little as 69 minutes, you can arrive in the town where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. While the cathedral, famously painted many times by Monet, dominates the skyline, many medieval buildings give the town its own unique charm.

A market early on Saturday and Sunday make it worth staying the night to wander and explore. If you arrive by car, be sure to visit the charming port town of Honfleur, just 90 km away.

Hotels: A large city, Rouen offers travelers nearly 50 hotels with online booking. Search hotels in Rouen

Your favorite overnights from Paris

What’s your favorite overnight destination from Paris? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Paris: 7 favorite day trips and overnight getaways appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.