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.

However, something about going to a real train station and hopping aboard just oozes excitement. Fortunately for Cheapos there are some great options.

Cheapo day trip options

While the TGV, the high speed train, does tend to get pricey (especially if you don’t book cheapo fares in advance), the slower regional and inter-city trains can get you out of the city on a delightful day trip without worrying about how to pay for your next meal.

Check the SNCF Web site for fares and times for your dates. If you have a French train pass or if you are under 26 years old or over 60, you will also benefit from reduced fares.

Related: 8 Day trips from Paris under an hour by train

1. Giverny

You don’t have to go far, either, to feel like you’ve escaped to the countryside. Especially in the springtime, visitors love heading to Giverny, a quaint little town just west of Paris that was the home and inspiration of the great impressionist painter Claude Monet.

He constructed his own little Japanese garden here that wows crowds with its blossoms in April. Why only admire the water lilies in the Musée d’Orsay when you can see the real thing? Visits of the iconic gardens start April 1 and cost between €4-8 (depending on your age). The town itself, sleepy as it may be, will make you feel like you’ve headed to some provincial getaway far from the urban bustle of Paris.

Paris-Giverny, 45 minutes, normal round-trip adult fare €25, Gare Saint-Lazare. Note that the station is the town of “Vernon,” not in Giverny. To reach the gardens, you will take a short bus ride from the station, or you can walk (about an hour) to the town and gardens.

2. Rouen

Keeping with the Monet theme, the town of Rouen features a glimpse into Medieval France with its stunning Gothic cathedral rendered several times by the painter. The town is the historic capital of Normandy, just to the northwest of Paris.

A stroll around the city will reveal many half-timbered houses and even a 16th-century astrological clock, so history buffs take note. Paris certainly isn’t lacking in any history, but Rouen will transport you back to the middle ages to get a taste of daily life. Poor Joan of Arc’s life was cut short when she was burnt at the stake here.

Paris-Rouen, 1 hour 15 minutes, normal adult round-trip fare €42, Gare Saint-Lazare.

3. Chartres

Southwest of Paris, the Medieval town of Chartres is known for its Gothic cathedral which, curiously, has one Romanesque spire and one Gothic spire. The town is a fantastic respite from the crowds, lines, and scam artists surrounding Notre Dame in Paris.

The famed cathedral’s spires dominate the town, set in the middle of a large stretch of grain fields, so the train ride should be a welcome change of scene. Wander the streets around the cathedral but don’t hesitate to get lost in the town’s charming neighborhoods–you can always find your way back to the church with ease.

Paris-Chartres, 1 hour, normal adult round-trip fare €28, Gare Montparnasse.

4. Reims

Many tourists visiting Reims in the Champagne region head straight for the cathedral, the coronation site of all of the kings of France.

But wait, there’s more! You should also visit one of the town’s many Champagne cellars, usually followed by a sampling of their wares. A visit to the Mumm Champagne cellar, for example, will cost €10 for an hour-long visit (call ahead to reserve, when possible). Between churches and Champagne visits, Reims is the perfect breath of fresh air after a long Parisian sojourn.

Paris-Reims, 45 minutes, adult round-trip fare from €30, Gare de l’Est.

Your favorite Paris escapes?

Do you have any other suggestions for good day trips from Paris? Tell us about  it in the comments section.

The post Paris: Cheapo day trips to Giverny, Rouen, Chartres and Reims appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related: 8 Excellent day trips from Paris less than an hour away by train

Getting to Reims from Paris

From Paris’ Gare de l’Est, Reims is just 45 minutes on the TGV. The SNCF website is currently offering special fares of €34 roundtrip, but the journey normally runs €40-€50. For the return trip, beware of trains departing from “Champagne-Ardenne,” which is actually in Bezannes, about 3 miles away from Reims.

Historical Sights

Reims’ Notre Dame Cathedral, on the Place Cardinal Luçon, dates from the 13th Century. Thirty-two French kings were crowned at this cathedral, today a UNESCO World Heritage site. The church is open every day from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

Next door, the Palais du Tau houses such artifacts as Charlemagne’s talisman and the chalice of Saint Remi, whose baptism of Clovis in 496 led to the conversion of the entire Frankish kingdom. From May 6 to September 8, the museum is open from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM; from September 9 to May 5, opening hours are 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 5:30 PM. The palace is closed on Monday. Tickets are €7.

In Pommery’s cellar. Photo by Éole

Speaking of Saint Remi, swing by the basilica that bears his name (Place Chanoine Ladame) to catch a glimpse of the saint’s tomb and the 12th-century stained glass windows. The basilica is open from 8 AM to 7 PM.

The Champagne Houses

Several of the biggest names in Champagne production–like Mumm, Veuve-Cliquot, and Taittinger–have cellars in Reims that tourists can visit to find out how bubbly is made.

A tour of the Pommery Estate is definitely worth the trip. Located at 5 Place Général Gouraud, it’s about a 30-minute walk from the cathedral. Several English-language tours are available throughout the day. The visit includes a trip down into 11 miles of labyrinthine cellar tunnels (originally Gallo-Roman chalk pits), and of course a glass of the good stuff at the end.

Tickets for the Pommery tour start at €10, depending on the quality of Champagne you’d like to sample and whether or not there is a special exhibit going on. While Pommery is one of the few cellars where advance bookings are not required, it can’t hurt to reserve your ticket before you go. From April through mid-November, the estate is open every day from 9:30 AM to 7 PM; from mid-November through March (excluding Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day) opening hours are 10 AM to 6 PM.

Where to Eat

There are plenty of restaurants in the center near Reims’ cathedral, but to get away from the touristy venues head to Les Charmes (11 Rue Brûlart) on the walk to the Pommery Estate. The three-course prix fixe lunch can’t be beat at €12.80. The menu varies, but you’ll find French-Asian fusion dishes like shrimp and quinoa salad and soy chicken with a potato pancake and tomatoes.

The post Day Trip from Paris: Reims and Champagne tours appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.