Attractions Nearby Paris, Day Trips and Excursions

(Paris, Ile-de-France, France)



Paris is full of many fantastic tourist attractions, but within a short journey from the centre of this French capital there are numerous other superb attractions well worth a visit.

These attractions nearby Paris include imposing cathedrals, historical landmarks, tourist attractions, theme parks, famous sights and buildings, such as Disneyland, Parc Astérix, the Château de Chantilly and the breathtaking landscaped gardens at the Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles).


Photo of Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris

Address: Marne la Vallée
Tel: +33 (0)1 60 30 60 30
Disneyland Paris covers 607 hectares / 1,500 acres, with thousands of hotel rooms, a convention centre, an entertainment and shopping complex, sports facilities and the magnificent theme park itself, which is made up of five 'lands' - Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland, all boasting different rides, attractions and restaurants.
Open hours: 10:00 to 20:00 - Please check for the latest opening hours

Parc Astérix

Address: 60128 Plailly
Tel: +33 (0)1 3 44 62 34 34
This child-friendly amusement / theme park features all the well-known Asterix characters and a legionaires' camp complete with incompetent Roman soldiers, as well as numerous rides and thrills. Other attractions include dolphins and sea lions which are among the park's most popular residents.
Open from April to October - 09:30 to 19:00 - Please check for the latest opening hours

Palace of Versailles image

Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles)

Address: 78008 Versailles
Tel: +33 (0)1 30 83 78 00
Versailles boasts one of the grandest palaces in the world. Built by King Louis XIV (the Sun King), the Palace of Versailles is one of France's most visited attractions. The palace bears testimony to the grandeur of classic French architecture and is surrounded by magnificently landscaped gardens. The most fascinating features of the palace include the State Apartments, and the Queen's Apartments, whilst the most famous room is the Hall of Mirrors, which measures 71.0 metres / 236 feet long, and links the north and south apartments.
Open:
Chateau - May to September, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:30
October to April, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:30
Gardens - November to March, daily - 08:00 to sunset
May to September, daily - 07:00 to sunset
Entrance: charge

Château de Chantilly

Address: BP 70243, 60631 Chantilly Cedex
Tel: +33 (0)1 3 44 67 37 37
Musée Condé is housed on the ground floor of the Château de Chantilly and contains magnificent works, manuscripts and furnishings dating from the French and Italian Renaissance, through to the 19th century. The beautiful park which surrounds the château features an English-style garden with an island, waterfall and temple. Le Musée Vivant du Cheval is also situated within the grounds of the château and features grand stables with 30 different breeds of horses and ponies which perform dressage exercises.
Open hours: Park - daily
Museum - March to October, Wednesday to Monday - 10:00 to 18:00
November to February, Wednesday to Monday - 10:30 to 12:45 and 14:00 to 17:00
Entrance: charge

Château de Fontainebleau photograph

Château de Fontainebleau

Address: Fontainebleau
Tel: +33 (0)1 60 71 50 70
This elegant château, which was once surrounded by a large forest, was a favourite lodge for royal hunting expeditions. Furnished in the Renaissance-style, with the main attraction being the Grand Apartments and the Salle de Ball, a dazzling ballroom nearly 30 metres / 100 feet long. Beautiful gardens are also a feature.
Open hours: Castle, October to May, daily except Tuesday - 09:30 to 17:00
June to September, daily except Tuesday - 09:30 to 18:00
Gardens: daily except Tuesday - 09:00 to 17:00
Please check for the latest opening hours

Abbaye de Royaumont

Address: 95270 Asnières-sur-Oise, Val D'Oise
Tel: +33 (0)1 30 35 40 18
Founded in 1228 by Saint Louis, the vast Abbey of Royaumont is the best preserved Cistercian Abbey in France. Guided tours are in operation at weekends and on public holidays. Also within the grounds of the abbey are a bookshop, boutique, café and park and it is also home to a centre for music.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

Rambouillet

Address: 51 km south-west of Paris
Once very popular and frequented by royalty and aristocrats, this château has been the summer residence of the French President since 1897 and can only be visited when the President is not in residence. There is an adjoining park to be explored at your leisure.
Open hours: Château, Wednesday to Monday - 10:00 to 11:30, 14:00 to 17:30 (except state occasions)
Park - sunrise to sunset

Cathedrale de Chartres

Address: Chartres
Tel: +33 (0)2 37 21 75 02
Famed for its stained-glass windows and wonderful colours which date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, this Gothic cathedral still draws Christian pilgrims.
Open hours: 08:30 to 18:45