Paris: 8 fantastic day trips less than an hour away by train
Looking for something off the beaten path to add to your Paris itinerary? Easily accessible via public transportation from the city center, the surrounding region of Ile de France offers some interesting nooks and crannies relatively untouched by tourist crowds.
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.)
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.
Travel time: 40 minutes.
Highlights: Napoleon and Josephine’s “modest” countryside getaway.
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.
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.
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.
Perfect timing! I head to Paris in 2 weeks and we’re trying to decide the best day trip since the Palace of Versailles gardens won’t be open yet for summer. If there’s time for just one, which do you think is the absolute best?
http://www.california2catalonia.com