Coucou, it's Estelle! You already know I love Paris. But one of the best things about living here is being able to hop on a train in the morning and find yourself an hour later in Monet's gardens, or in the middle of the fields Van Gogh used to paint. No car needed, no need to leave for three days. Here are my favorite day trips from Paris, the ones I actually recommend to friends visiting.
For art lovers
Giverny, Monet's garden
If I had to keep only one, this would probably be it. Monet's garden is exactly the image you have of the Water Lilies, but real and a thousand times better. The famous Japanese bridge, the pond covered in water lilies, the rows of flowers in front of his pink house with green shutters. In spring it's an explosion of color, the tulips first, then the wisteria draping over the bridge around May.
One important thing: the garden closes in winter, usually from November to the end of March. So forget about it for a December trip. And book your ticket online, otherwise the line at the entrance can get endless in summer. I always go right at opening, before the groups arrive.
Getting there: a train from Gare Saint Lazare to Vernon (around 45 minutes), then a shuttle, a bike, or even on foot if your legs are up for it (about 7 km through the countryside, it's pretty). Give yourself the full day to enjoy it. The Musée des Impressionnismes right next door is also worth a look.
Versailles
The big classic, but be careful not to turn it into a nightmare. Versailles in summer, in the middle of the afternoon, is packed, you shuffle along at a snail's pace through the Hall of Mirrors, not great honestly. My tip: go early, and don't limit yourself to the palace. The real joy is the gardens. Rent a bike or a little electric cart, take a rowing boat out on the Grand Canal, go and lose yourself all the way to the Hameau de la Reine, the little village Marie Antoinette had built so she could play farmer. That's where I'd spend my hours.
If you go on a weekend in spring or summer, check the dates for the Grandes Eaux Musicales: the fountains in the gardens come to life set to music, really beautiful. Worth noting, the palace is closed on Mondays.
Getting there: the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, around 40 minutes from the center. Get the Passeport ticket if you want to see everything, palace and grounds included.
Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh's final days
My under radar favorite, and most moving. This is where Van Gogh spent the last seventy days of his life, painting like a madman, almost a canvas a day. You can visit the Auberge Ravoux where he stayed, climb up to his tiny room under the roof, left empty since his death. Chills, every time.
What I love about Auvers is that you come across the exact settings of his paintings as you wander. The church he painted, the wheat fields where he went off to work, and the cemetery where he rests next to his brother Theo, very simply, under the ivy. The village is peaceful, far less touristy than Giverny, mainly locals visiting during weekends.
Getting there: a train from Gare du Nord or Gare Saint Lazare, just over an hour.
For a family day (or just to have fun)
Parc Astérix
Honestly, between Parc Astérix and Disney, my heart leans toward Astérix. It's more French, far less mobbed by tour buses, and Parisians go there like proper insiders. If you love a thrill, this is THE spot: the rollercoasters are wild, Toutatis and OzIris leading the pack. Kids love it, as you can get really wet, and with 35°C outside it’s refreshing.
The park is seasonal, roughly open from April to early January. Getting there: a direct shuttle from Paris, or the RER B to Roissy then the park shuttle.
Disneyland Paris
The big classic with kids, and it's a safe bet, especially if it's their first time. Two parks, Disneyland and the Walt Disney Studios, enough to fill a big day, or even two. The big plus: it's open all year and super easy to reach, the RER A drops you right at Marne la Vallée Chessy in about forty minutes. My one tip: get your tickets in advance and download the app to manage the queues, otherwise you'll spend the day waiting in line.
So, where to go?
If you only have one day and you love art, head to Giverny in spring, no question. If you're traveling with overexcited kids, Disney will do the job. And if you're after something more intimate, more rare, Auvers sur Oise will stay with you for a long time. As for me, I go back every time with the same joy.
Want to explore more of Paris?
These five day trips are some of my all time favorites, but there's so much more waiting just outside the city. I've gathered all my best addresses in my Paris Guide: where to eat, where to stay, and how to explore the city like a true Parisian. The perfect companion to round out your trip, well beyond these escapes.
And if you want to see all these places in action, come find me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @ellevousguide. I share new spots and honest reviews every week.