You’ve gotten seen Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum; now it’s time to go to some stunning cities close to Paris to get a style of France.
In the event you’re visiting the Metropolis of Love, chances are you’ll wish to go to different cities close to Paris which can be simply as quaint and dreamy.
You’ll be astounded at what number of picturesque cities to go to close to Paris match in magnificence.
In the event you’d like a information to the attractive nearest cities, this one will present you that there are numerous choices to select from.
Essentially the most stunning cities close to Paris have spectacular structure, historic worth, and artsy power like no different.
There are fascinating issues to do and see past simply Paris that may depart you with experiences that may final a lifetime.
18 Fairytale Cities & Cities Close to Paris You’ll Love
Listed here are our favourite cities and small cities close to Paris in no explicit order. You possibly can simply go on a day journey from Paris to those locations with some planning or knowledgeable information who will prepare all the pieces for you.
1. Versailles
In the event you’re in search of a day journey to a picturesque city close to Paris, Versailles is likely one of the hottest vacationer selections, primarily as a result of it’s house to one of the vital visited UNESCO World Heritage Websites in France: the Palace of Versailles.
The French-style gardens, beautiful fountains, and unimaginable structure are sufficient to attract anybody into the previous home of Louis XIV.
This near-Paris location can get fairly crowded, so it’s best to go to in spring, autumn, or on weekdays in case you’re in season. Alternatively, you possibly can merely purchase a skip-the-line ticket and save all the effort.
There are many guided excursions in Versailles, however in case you’d prefer to discover by yourself, the Palace of Versailles is completely gorgeous and was the house of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI.
The palace has many issues to see, like The Corridor Of Mirrors or its lush Gardens of Versailles.
You can too go to The Property of Trianon, the Park of Versailles, the Le Potager du Roi backyard, and the Royal Stables.
Professional tip: put on comfy sneakers as a result of you’ll stroll lots!
Distance From Paris to Versailles:
Versailles is likely one of the closest cities close to Paris at 12 miles away, only a 25 to 30-minute prepare journey from RER C and SNCF Line N.
Click on right here to purchase your skip-the-line ticket plus tour of Versailles
2. Auvers Sur Oise
Cities near Paris embrace Auvers Sur Oise, a picturesque place simply reachable by prepare.
This location is called La Ville des Impressionistes as many well-known Impressionist artists, like Monet, visited Auvers Sur Oise for its magnificence, and so they painted landscapes of the French countryside.
Vincent Van Gogh additionally populated Auvers Sur Oise for the final two months of his life and painted 70 artworks in that point, together with the well-known ‘Church at Auvers.’
He handed away on the Auberge Ravoux, which you may as well go to.
In the event you go to Paris for artwork, this quaint city has a self-guided stroll referred to as The Painters’ Pathway, the place a number of well-known impressionist work had been impressed.
You can too go to the favored Absinthe Museum commemorating the well-known French drink and its significance in France’s 19th-century social and cultural life.
Distance From Paris:
This picturesque city is 17 miles from the middle of Paris and takes about 40 minutes to achieve by way of prepare from Gare du Nord or Gare Saint-Lazare.
Click on right here to purchase a day journey to Auvers Sur Oise
3. Chantilly
Of all of the cities close to Paris, Chantilly is likely one of the most well-known for its most interesting porcelain and lacework.
In the event you’re a foodie, this stunning metropolis makes the tastiest signature Chantilly Cream – a tastebud must-have.
In addition to, the Château de Chantilly is solely one of the vital astounding castles in France. This citadel is house to the second-largest artwork assortment within the nation after the Louvre.
The work are nonetheless positioned within the place the final French King’s son, Henri d’Orléans, selected!
The museum is known as Grande Galerieone and contains a library and exquisite gardens.
You’ll additionally wish to go to the Grandes Écuries, the Chantilly Stables, and Horse Museum.
These are the second largest stables in Europe, constructed due to the 18th century seventh Prince de Condé’s ardour for horses.
You’ll have a beautiful time exploring the Chantilly Gardens and Chantilly Racecourse.
Distance From Paris:
Chantilly is 26 miles away, and it’ll take round 22 minutes to get there by way of prepare from the Gare du Nord station.
4. Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau is an enthralling city near Paris, boasting a quaint environment, and is house to the Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
In contrast to Versailles, Château of Fontainebleau was a sovereign residence constructed as a searching lodge within the twelfth century however has been graced by many members of the royal household.
The structure, artwork, and finishings are value exploring, together with the remainder of the architectural city.
Fontainebleau Gardens are simply as superbly designed as different cities close to Paris, with zero crowds blocking the view.
Right here you possibly can take pleasure in a time out mountaineering Fontainebleau Forests, the second-largest forest in France, or you possibly can discover it on a scorching air balloon!
Distance From Paris:
Fontainebleau is 35 miles away and takes 45 min to 1 hour by way of prepare from Paris Gare de Lyon station.
Click on right here to purchase the day journey to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte Castles
5. Chartres
One of the stunning cities close to Paris is Chartres, the house of the spectacular Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
You possibly can discover the great thing about the European milestone Gothic cathedral with most of its authentic stained-glass home windows.
The cathedral additionally has a Thirteenth-century labyrinth for these searching for a religious stroll to clear their thoughts. You can too benefit from the charming homes by strolling down the river Eure.
Distance From Paris:
Chartres is 59 miles and a mean 1-hour and 10-minute prepare journey from Paris.
6. Provins
Provins is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site of the Center Ages, and as we speak you possibly can see knights’ performances as a vacationer enjoyment in one of the vital stunning cities close to Paris.
You can too take pleasure in a time out experiencing the panoramic views of twelfth and Thirteenth-century buildings, the medieval tower Tour César, and Les Souterrains de Provins tunnels.
There may be additionally a Provins Medieval Competition in June, which is nicely well worth the expertise!
Distance From Paris:
Provins is 56 miles south of Paris, an hour and 30-minute prepare journey away.
7. Amiens
In the event you’re in search of cities near Paris, Amiens is value placing in your itinerary. Right here you’ll discover the most important Gothic cathedral in France – the Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens.
Amiens additionally provides vacationers the Musée de Picardie, a large museum with a powerful assortment of artifacts, some relationship from prehistoric occasions.
Quartier Saint-Leu in Amiens has medieval structure, boutiques, eating places, and cafes for vacationers to find, so it’s worthwhile to make a day journey and even to remain over at this stunning metropolis.
Distance From Paris:
Amiens is a metropolis close to Paris that’s one hour and 40 minutes away by way of prepare from Gare du Nord.
8. Lille
Lille isn’t town nearest to Paris, however it’s shut sufficient and nicely value a go to.
Positioned on the Deûle River, Lille has been round because the eleventh century, and as we speak it’s an industrial hub.
La Grand Place is an effective place to start out in Lille, as there are numerous shops, cafes, and eating places to take pleasure in, surrounded by classical 17th-century Flemish Renaissance structure.
Lille is the place to be if you wish to expertise the excitement of French life.
Marché de Wazemmes is a Lille market that runs all through the week the place yow will discover healthful meals, flowers, clothes, and lots of different goodies.
In the event you’re in search of a dose of artwork, you possibly can go to Palais des Beaux-Arts or Lille Métropole Museum of Trendy, Modern, and Outsider Artwork.
Distance From Paris:
This stunning metropolis close to Paris is a 204-mile, 1-hour prepare journey from Gare du Nord, metropolis middle.
Click on right here to purchase a ticket to a 2-hour strolling tour in Lille
9. Giverny
The cities close to Paris record could be incomplete with out Giverny.
The well-known French painter Claude Monet (actually, one of many most well-known folks from France) settled right here till he handed away in 1926, and his house and backyard are on show for artwork connoisseurs to go to.
There are different sightseeing alternatives in Giverny, as it’s populated with quaint retailers and cafes ready to be explored.
You can too go to the gardens and artwork on the Museum of Impressionism Giverny.
Distance From Paris:
The journey from Paris takes about an hour utilizing Gare Saint Lazare to Vernon prepare station after which a shuttle to your required location.
10. Reims
Reims is an attractive metropolis close to Paris and is bursting with issues to do and see. This prime location is thought for the best champagne value tasting.
The Reims Cathedral is the place almost the French King was topped, and the structure is astounding, with many advantageous sculptures to see.
Subsequent to the cathedral is the Palace of Tau, adorned with advantageous tapestries and sculptures.
Another Reims sights embrace Villa Demoiselle, Saint-Remi Basilica, 18th century Champagne Homes and tunnels, and the advantageous arts museum Musée des Beaux-Arts.
You gained’t run out of actions to do within the stunning metropolis of Reims.
Distance From Paris:
Reims from Paris solely takes a 1-hour 20-minute prepare journey.
11. Rouen
Rouen is a picturesque city with Outdated Market Sq., an ideal place to drink espresso and people-watch.
You possibly can go to Jardin des Plantes, a big metropolis backyard, for a pleasant picnic or stroll round admiring the structure.
In order for you a visit close to Paris that isn’t overcrowded by different vacationers, Rouen is a superb selection.
Their most notable attraction is the tallest French cathedral, Notre Dame de l’Assomption de Rouen. Rouen additionally has loads of little villages and gorgeous countryside to tour.
Distance From Paris:
In the event you’re taking the prepare, Rouen is 1 hour and half-hour from Paris metropolis middle.
12. Strasbourg Metropolis
Strasbourg has the beautiful Saint-Pierre Le Jeune Church, full of a captivating historical past of adjusting from Catholic to Protestant and vice versa.
In the present day the church is Protestant, and lots of vacationers love to go to its wealthy magnificence.
The Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg can be a jaw-dropping website nicely well worth the journey. Its Gothic structure, stained glass home windows, and astronomical clock are magnificent.
In order for you royalty sprinkled in, you possibly can go to Palais Rohan, and different enjoyments embrace the close by Place Kleber for eating places and different curiosities. Place Kleber is situated on Grande-île de Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Petite France in Strasbourg is an space the place vacationers can benefit from the picturesque intriguing half-timber homes alongside the river of this stunning metropolis close to Paris.
Distance From Paris:
In the event you’d like to go to Strasbourg by way of prepare, it’s 2 hours from Gare de l’Est Paris.
13. Chablis
Chablis is one other medieval city the place you possibly can see the Obédiencerie monastery, recognized for the monks that began winemaking.
Chablis is a wine area with signature Chardonnay grapes grown in close by vineyards that vacationers can go to and go wine tasting on the many wineries on the town.
There may be ample stunning structure in Chablis, together with the Saint-Pierre and Saint-Martin church buildings.
Distance From Paris:
Chablis is close to Paris, nevertheless it does take 3 hours by prepare to get there, so it is perhaps higher to journey by automobile as that solely takes 2 hours.
14. Excursions
This ‘cities near Paris’ record could be incomplete with out the magnificent Excursions.
It’s the largest metropolis within the Centre-Val de Loire area, a area with the most important focus of chateaus which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
You possibly can go to the Excursions Cathedral, which took over 370 years to construct, which is why it captures Gothic evolution most superbly.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts has a powerful artwork assortment, and you may journey round the remainder of Excursions experiencing its river, markets, wineries, and exquisite castles.
The castles embrace Château de Villandry and Château d’Amboise. Or the close by Château de Chambord, Château Royal de Blois, and Château de Chenonceau.
Distance From Paris:
Excursions can take as much as a 2-hour prepare journey, the quickest with the direct TGV INOUI, so it’s best to make the journey a complete day journey.
15. Caen
Caen is a bit additional away from Paris however shut sufficient to place in your record of locations to go to in France.
William the Conqueror referred to as Château de Caen house, and now it’s a powerful vacationer attraction. There are lots of wonders in Caen.
You possibly can fill your days in Caen admiring its medieval structure, interacting with exhibitions at Caen Memorial Museum, visiting the Honfleur waterfront, and exploring the oldest picket church in France, St. Catherine’s Church.
Caen can be common for all of the WWII occasions that happened within the surrounding areas, together with many D-Day websites value testing.
When you have a while left, make a day journey to Mont Saint-Michel, a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy with a powerful abbey on the prime of the island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Distance From Paris:
You possibly can count on Caen to be a 3-hour prepare journey from Paris, which is round 124 miles away.
Learn subsequent: Tips on how to Plan a Paris to Normandy Day Journey
16. Colmar
Colmar is a Medieval paradise adorned with half-timbered buildings, tiny, cobbled allies, market squares, and lots of different issues to uncover.
Petite Venise is a canal that appears just like the one in Venice, and the homes will stun you with their magnificence.
You can too go to the stunning St. Martin’s Church, Unterlinden Museum, and the various markets, eating places, wineries, and cafes.
Distance From Paris:
Taking a prepare from Gare de l’Est Paris metropolis middle to Colmar will take 2 hours and half-hour.
17. Dijon
Dijon is close to sufficient to go to after Paris and is equally as wealthy in historical past, structure, and issues to do.
You’ll wish to see Place de la Libération, house to the Dukes of Burgundy within the 14th and fifteenth centuries.
Musée des Beaux-Arts provides you a style of the creative tradition of France, and Musée Magnin does the identical with over 2,000 artworks.
Whilst you’re there, you gained’t wish to miss a particular, fortunate carving the place you can also make a want by touching the Parcours de la Chouette, The Owl of Dijon, together with your left hand.
These 22 owl carvings had been sculpted within the 1500s, and the rock shines from all the desires folks made by means of the centuries.
Distance From Paris:
Dijon takes round 2 hours to journey by way of prepare from the Gare de Lyon station.
18. Épernay
You can begin your tour in Épernay in Avenue de Champagne to marvel on the divine structure.
You possibly can take pleasure in among the most interesting glowing wine on this near-Paris metropolis on the Mercier and De Castellane cellars.
You can too go to Moët et Chandon underground tunnels on this route. It’s also value stopping on the Nineteenth-century mansion and museum Château Perrier.
Distance From Paris:
A prepare from Paris metropolis middle to Epernay will take a minimal of 1 hour and 20 minutes from Gare de l’Est however can take as much as 2 hours and half-hour, relying on the interchanging trains.
Last Phrases
We hope you loved studying extra about these stunning cities close to Paris. As a result of the French capital metropolis has such good connections, it isn’t laborious to go to different picturesque cities and cities across the nation.
When you have some options for charming cities and beautiful cities close to Paris, be happy to drop their names under and assist us encourage others.
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