The best day trips from Paris

How to get there: A 25-minute TER train from Gare du Nord to Chantilly-Gouvieux. Then it’s a 20-minute walk or five-minute bus to the château.

Some people buy a château for fun. And then there’s Chantilly – an aristocratic ego trip so massive it makes Versailles look like a weekend cottage. Set like a film set in the middle of the Oise region, the Château de Chantilly is a masterclass in French theatrical flair: flawless moats, Instagrammable drawbridges and a monk-like library with a touch of madness (including 13,000 rare books. The Grandes Écuries is the cherry on top – a cathedral built for horses where dressage, acrobatics and equestrian shows are just another Tuesday. Once you’ve had your fill of masterpieces (shout-out to Raphael and Fra Angelico at the Musée Condé), the only thing left to do is settle in for a waffle topped with proper Chantilly cream – whipped by hand, like it’s the 18th century.

How to get there: A 15-minute train ride from Montparnasse station

Even if you’ve been to Versailles and its château before, there’s always more to discover. The estate proudly displays its gold, fountains and mirrors over some 800 hectares – that’s twice the size of Central Park. Suffice to say, you need to get up early to cover it all (and avoid the crowds and busloads of tourists). At 8am, the most daring will have the park all to themselves. And if that doesn’t make you feel at home enough, treat yourself with lunch on-site at Ducasse’s Ore. Or opt for the more discreet (but highly recommended) Bistrot du 11, a stone’s throw from the bucolic King’s Kitchen Garden. For something really special, book tickets for the equestrian show La Voie de l’écuyère, choreographed by Bartabas and performed every Saturday and Sunday in the intimate Great Stables’ Manège. Sublime.

Check out Versailles Palace tickets and tours here.

How to get there: A 10-minute train from Gare Montparanasse

Between Paris and Versailles, Meudon has risen in prominence since its historic airship hangar was transformed into the XXL cultural centre, Hangar Y. The place is really worth a visit (especially in summer): after the current exhibition, you can chill out in its vast park adorned with contemporary sculptures, have a drink at the open-air café, or sample the creative cuisine of chef Guillaume Sanchez in his restaurant overlooking the pond. If you set out early in the day, make a first stop at the Rodin Museum in Meudon, which is beautiful and less crowded than its counterpart in the 7th district. And if you still have some time, explore the vast forest of the town, just behind Hangar Y:  art and nature combined.

How to get there: A 45-minute train from Paris-Est to Reims 

How to get there: A four-hour train or a scenic bike ride (details below)

If you love a getaway but are allergic to public transport, the region is full of bike-friendly paths, from the Véloscenie (which goes all the way to Mont-Saint-Michel!) to the Scandibérique. But our favourite might be the one that takes you to the guinguettes along the Marne, starting from the Bois de Vincennes (which is already a destination in itself). As you exit the park, take the Allée des Guinguettes to discover these charming spots and step back in time: musette dances, oilcloth tablecloths, boater hats, and a little glass of white wine at lunch. Stop by Gégène or Fifi for a dance, and then make your way to the Château de Champs-sur-Marne. If you get hungry, swing back through Joinville and detour to Le Petit Pont to enjoy its hidden terrace perched over the river.

How to get there: A two-hour bus from Porte Maillot to Grand Val. 

How to get there: A two-hour train fromn Paris Saint-Lazare to Bréauté-Beuzeville, then a direct bus to Étretat (30 minutes).

There’s no direct line to Étretat, but trust us – the views at the end make it more than worth the trip. Once a hideaway for the likes of Monet and Maupassant, this former fishing village still holds onto its old-world charm. Belle Époque villas, a pebble beach that demands heron-like grace to walk on, and sea air sharp enough to clear your head in seconds. But the real thrill? Hiking along the cliff tops. A winding trail leads to the famous Aiguille rock – it feels like stepping into a Pokémon card designed by an Impressionist. Before or after, grab some fish and chips down by the port and visit the Clos Arsène Lupin. 

How to get there: A 40-minute train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau - Avon

Royal France isn’t all about Versailles, you know. Before that was built, the medieval Palace of Fontainebleau was home to Napoleon III (nephew of the famous one) and Louis VII, and was known as the ‘Second Rome’ thanks to its suite of rooms decorated specially by Napoleon I for Pope Pius VII. Visitors should also take a look around Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which was extravagantly landscaped by the same architect who worked on the Palace of Versailles. While in (second) Rome, head to the forest of Fontainebleau, with its large boulders and stunning views. There’s also 3000 or so species of mushroom here, if you were wondering. 

How to get there: A 40-minute train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon and a 20-minute bus