11 must-visit small towns around Paris

If you have already checked in at famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and have plenty of time to spend in Paris, we suggest taking a day trip to the suburbs of Paris. Here are the top 11 recommended places for a day trip around Paris. From locations 1 to 6, you can use the NAVIGO card for public transportation (which includes travel from zone 1 to zone 5) to get there. 1. PROVINS, the town of a thousand years Prowansja is a well-preserved medieval-style ancient city. It records the great changes in France from the 11th to the 13th century. In 2001, the entire city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Transportation: Take a train from Paris Gare de l'Est and get off at Gare de Provins. 2. Chateau de Fontainebleau, also known as the Palace of Fontainebleau. Chateau de Fontainebleau, built in the 12th century, is a large royal palace and castle that served as the residence for monarchs of various French dynasties. In 1528, the Renaissance was introduced to France from here, and various architectural styles were presented. In 1981, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized Chateau de Fontainebleau as a world heritage site. Transportation: Take the TER from Gare de Lyon in Lyon and get off at Fontainebleau Avon Station. Then take bus No.1 in front of the station. (It takes about an hour.) Address: 77300 Fontainebleau 3. Auvers-sur-Oise town in France If you are a fan of the Impressionist master Vincent van Gogh, the town of Auvers Sur Oise is definitely worth a visit. Van Gogh spent his last two months of life here and created many masterpieces before his suicide, such as "The Wheatfield with Crows" and "The Church at Auvers". Therefore, Auvers Sur Oise is also known as the town of Van Gogh. Transportation: Take a train from Gare du Nord in Paris, transfer at Valmondois station, and then get off at Auvers sur Oise station. 4. Chateau de Versailles Versailles Palace is a symbol of the French royal court, also known as the Palace of Versailles. Louis XIV spent nearly fifty years from 1665 to expand this most magnificent and spectacular castle in Europe. Therefore, the Palace of Versailles is not only a palace or castle, but also a political tool symbolizing the maximization of monarchic absolutism. Transportation: Take RER C to Château Rive Gauche station. (From Paris Montparnasse train station, it takes about 20 minutes.) Address: Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles Ticket price: Palace of Versailles package (including Palace, Gardens, Trianon Palace, etc.) 20 euros, Palace of Versailles package + Fountain Show 27 euros. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-18:30 / Closed on Mondays and May 1st. 5. Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte by Nicolas Fouquet The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is located in the small town of Maincy, about 50 kilometers southeast of Paris. It was ordered to be built by Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister of King Louis XIV of France, for himself in 1656. Transportation: Take the P line (direction Provins) from Gare de l'Est in Paris and get off at Verneuil l'Etang station. The direct train runs every 60 minutes and takes about 35 minutes. After arriving at Verneuil l'Etang station, transfer to the "Châteaubus" shuttle bus to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which takes about 20 minutes. Address: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 77950 Maincy, France Opening hours: March 23 to November 3, 10:00-19:00 (last admission at 17:00) Ticket prices: Adults 16.5 euros, minors aged 6-17 10.5 euros, children under 6 free. "Candlelight Night" and Christmas: Adults 19.5 euros; minors aged 6-17 13.5 euros, children under 6 free. 6. Chateau de Chantilly Château de Chantilly is located in the suburb of Chantilly, north of Paris, and was built in 1358. It is a gem of French heritage. It takes only about 30 minutes by train from Paris's Gare du Nord. In the medieval period, it was just a fortress. Later, it was successively built and improved by the Duke of Aumale and Henri d'Orléans, making it a magnificent palace that houses countless treasures. Transportation: From Gare du Nord in Paris, take the SNCF train to Chantilly-Gouvieux, 25 minutes, or take the RER D line to Chantilly-Gouvieux, 45 minutes. Address: Château, 7, Rue du Connétable, 60500 Chantilly Ticket: Full price €17.00, half price €10.00 (for children aged 3-17, students or disabled persons). 7. Giverny, the town of Jivani: Monet's Garden This small town with only over 500 people is located 70 kilometers west of Paris in the Upper Normandy region. The town attracts tourists from all over the world because of its association with Claude Monet, the father of French Impressionism, who lived here, and the beautiful Monet Garden. The castle often holds various activities, such as the "Candlelight Nights" held every Saturday from May to October, where the entire castle is illuminated by 2000 candles, creating a very romantic atmosphere. In addition, there are also fireworks performances. Transportation: Take the P line (direction Provins) from Gare de l'Est in Paris and get off at Verneuil l'Etang station. The direct train runs every 60 minutes and takes about 35 minutes. After arriving at Verneuil l'Etang station, transfer to the "Châteaubus" shuttle bus to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which takes about 20 minutes. Address: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 77950 Maincy, France Opening hours: March 23 to November 3, 10:00-19:00 (last admission at 17:00) Ticket prices: Adults 16.5 euros, minors aged 6-17 10.5 euros, children under 6 free. "Candlelight Night" and Christmas: Adults 19.5 euros, minors aged 6-17 13.5 euros, children under 6 free. 8. Honfleur, France Wengfuerer is a beautiful small port city in Normandy. It has picturesque scenery, and every shot is like a postcard. Transportation: Take a train from Paris Saint-Lazare and get off at Douvres station (about 2 hours and 30 minutes), then take a bus or taxi for 15 minutes to arrive. 9. SAINT-MALO Saint-Malo was voted the most beautiful town in France in 2019 by the French. It is a port city in the Brittany region of northwestern France. Because it was long occupied by pirates in the past, some people still call it the "City of Pirates". 10. Mont-Saint-Michel Mont-Saint-Michel is a famous sea-floating island and one of the most famous attractions near Paris, attracting tourists from all over the world. It is also the prototype of the animated films "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Castle in the Sky". Transportation: Take a train from Paris Montparnasse train station and get off at Mont-Saint-Michel train station. (It takes about 3 hours.) Then, you can take a shuttle bus for 5-10 minutes or walk for 30 minutes to reach Mont Saint-Michel. 11. Deauville, a seaside town in Normandy. Douvres-la-Délivrande is the nearest seaside town to Paris and a shining gem in the Normandy region. In Honfleur, Douvres-la-Délivrande is also one of the favorite places for Impressionist artists. Transportation: Take a train from Paris Saint-Lazare Station to Deauville station. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Douvres-la-Délivrande, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo-Ille-et-Vilaine, Honfleur-Carvedos, Monet's Garden, Château de D'Yerres, Château de Le Plessis-Robinson, Provins-Sena-et-Marne, Fontainebleau Palace, Versailles Palace.