Last updated on October 19th, 2023
Looking for the best day trips from Paris in Winter? These day trips from Paris make for an excellent weekend getaway!
Paris is one of the most LEGENDARY places to visit in the world. But there are several unique spots just a hop, skip, and jump away from Paris that you can’t miss!
As someone who loves Paris & day trips (who doesn’t love a good mini trip?!), I’m giving you all the deets on the most unusual day trips from Paris.
In this post, you’ll learn about all the best day trips from Paris in Winter, from Versailles to Disneyland.
After reading through these GORGEOUS places, you’ll have an adventure-packed trip to France.
This post is all about day trips from Paris in Winter.
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Best Day Trips from Paris in Winter
Disneyland
If you ask anyone who loves Disney, they will tell you that Disneyland Paris is one of the top day trips from Paris in December. And indeed, Disneyland Paris is a magical place and much less hectic than the parks in the U.S.
With this popular amusement park being a family favorite, the smaller crowds and cooler temperatures make this destination a no-brainer. Whether it’s just you & your friends visiting or a family weekend getaway, you can expect loads of fun at Disney!
The best way to reach Disneyland Paris:
While still within the capital’s city limits, Disneyland Paris is roughly 35 minutes away from Paris. The easiest way to get there is by RER train, A-line. You can also reach the park by the Disneyland Paris Express bus, which only runs to the city center.
And lastly, you can always travel by car.
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The Palace of
Versailles
Next on the list of day trips from Paris is the Palace of Versailles. Visiting in the winter is especially ideal because of the smaller crowds.
The historical and luxurious Palace of Versailles was built by King Louis XIV and remains, to this day, a popular location for many. And for a reason. You will get to see the most stunning architecture, learn a lot about French history, and experience how the ancient royals used to live.
There are guided tours you can take, as well as watch fountain shows and musical gardens. While the Palace is sure to be on everyone’s itinerary, it is definitely WORTH the visit.
Château de
Fontainebleau
Another castle that makes one of the best day trips from Paris by train is the Château de Fontainebleau. This royal residence housed over 30 kings and 2 emperors. So, of course, the palace is super old, but luckily, you can tour the whole thing in just a few hours. Perfect for a day trip.
During your visit to the Château de Fontainebleau, you’ll explore several rooms from different periods, see ancient arts & artifacts, and bask in the sheer beauty of the castle.
The quickest & most affordable way to reach the palace is by train. Tickets are roughly 20 euros ($22). Or you can get there by car.
Lyon
While Lyon is a smaller town, it houses some of the French’s oldest landmarks, like Saint-Jean and the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica. And yet, even with those old structures still around, the city has updated itself to modern times. So, you get to imagine what life was like back then while still enjoying the comforts of today’s time.
To make the most of your day trip to Lyon, check out the Roman ruins, dine in some of the city’s best restaurants, and visit the Fourvière Basilica.
Or maybe you’ve been to the city several times & are tired of touring the ancient landmarks; that’s ok! Lyon is PERFECT for an outdoor adventure. In fact, Lyon is home to one of France’s national parks, the Rhône-Alpes.
With so much to do in this little town, I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.
How to reach Lyon from Paris:
Lyon is roughly 5 hours away from Paris, but luckily there are some ways to get there quicker. The first quick method is by train, which can get you to Lyon in about 2 hours. The second method is flying, which can be as fast as 3 hours.
Additional transportation methods to Lyon include bus, driving yourself, or ridesharing like Uber. However, these particular methods are usually longer.
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Normandy
Normandy is an excellent choice for a day trip from Paris or, even better, a whole weekend trip from Paris. Nestled in the northern region of France, Normandy has a stunning coastline with massive cliffs that offer the most beautiful views.
That alone is enough to visit. But if you need more persuading, Normandy is well-known for its famous landmarks. The Mont-Saint-Michel, Étretat, and the D-Day beaches, just to name a few.
So, there is plenty to do & see, regardless of how long you choose to stay.
The Best Things to do in Normandy:
- Mont Saint Michel
- Étretat Cliffs
- Notre-Dame de Rouen
- Omaha Beach
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen
*This is only a small list of the things you can do in Normandy, so research before visiting. That way, you can make the most out of your trip!*
Chamonix, France
Next is one of the top day trips from Paris in Winter, Chamonix, France. With the epic mountain ranges paired with the insane glaciers, Chamonix is a no-brainer for winter adventures from Paris.
With those gorgeous mountains surrounding the valley, you can bet that skiing is one of the favorite activities for visitors. But besides skiing, travelers also enjoy husky rides, paragliding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and so much more!
If you’re a skier or someone who loves an exciting winter escapade (of course you are! You’re reading this post., DUH.), then trust me, Chamonix is your winter destination.
If you visit in warmer months, you can still enjoy Chamonix. Let me know in the comments below if you’d like a summer guide to Chamonix!
Antwerp, Belgium
This last destination is easily one of the best day trips from Paris by train, Antwerp, Belgium.
In just a two & a half-hour train ride, you can be in one of the most diverse cities in Europe. Over 150 nationalities call Antwerp home. Woah
As a result of such a diverse community, the city is full of delicious ethnic eateries. And the chocolate! Belgium is famous for its chocolate, so it’s a must. You could visit for the chocolate, honestly.
Besides indulging in all the fantastic food, you can also check out the city’s stunning architecture. The Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp and Antwerpen-Centraal are the best spots to see the gorgeous architecture.
More Best things to do in Antwerp include:
- Exploring the Antwerp diamond district
- ZOO Antwerpen: one of the oldest animal parks in the world
- Walk around the Grote Markt
- Visit famous museums like Chocolate Nation, Middelheim Museum, and Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
- Walk around the beautiful Provincial Domain Rivierenhof park.
As you’ve read in this post, there are several AMAZING day trips from Paris. So no matter where you choose, you’re bound to have a good time.
Wishing you safe & happy travels.
This post is all about day trips from Paris in Winter.
Remember to subscribe to the newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest travel tips and inspiration!
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