Great Day Trips From Paris

Okay, you’ve seen the Louvre and the Musée D’Orsay, ventured up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, sailed down the Seine on the Bateau Mouche, and marveled at Notre Dame; you have now earned and hereby deserve a short vacation from your vacation!  Take advantage of Paris’ great public transportation system and venture out to see some of the glorious sights in the nearby countryside.  I’m highlighting three of my favorite day trips from Paris for you to enjoy. You can do all three of these excursions using organized tour companies, but if you prefer to schedule your own day, and save some money, don’t be afraid to venture out on your own!  Plus, all of these excursions will get back in time for dinner at your favorite Paris bistro.

Let’s start with Claude Monet’s glorious gardens and home at Giverny.

Monet’s gardens are one of the most visited attractions, and it’s really no wonder. This famous leader of the Impressionist movement retired to Giverny and made his home here from 1883 until the time of his death in 1926.  He spent many years planning and planting his famous gardens. Even if you’ve never been to the gardens, you’re probably no stranger to the pictures of them.  Monet created his beloved water lily paintings here: dredging the pond, building the Japanese footbridge, framed by weeping willows and wisteria, and planting a riot of colorful blooms like rose arbors, delphiniums, and spring bulbs, designed to flower all through the growing season. But Monet was simply captivated by the water lilies, capturing them in different lights and changing seasons, from many perspectives.

Monet’s house is open April 1 to October 1 and the entrance fee to the house and gardens is 6 Euros for adults, but there are discounts for children and seniors. Check out the Flowering calendar before you leave, to find out what’s in bloom throughout the year. The garden’s caretakers ensure you will have flowers in bloom no matter what season you visit. Check out the Official website (in English) for more information, before you visit. 

Getting There

Take an early train from Paris-Gare St. Lazare to Vernon, which costs about 24 Euros and takes about 45 minutes (if you get a direct train).  Check the English website for France SNCF train schedules.  Buses depart Vernon train station about 15 minutes after the train arrives.  The short bus ride from Vernon to Giverny is about 2.5 miles, and costs about 3 Euros round trip. Try to arrive early, before the hoards of buses disgorge their day-trippers.

Organized bus or mini-van tours are also available from Paris through Paris Visions, ranging from 70-89 Euros.

For something delightfully different, try Fat Tire Bike Tours.  For 65 Euros, you receive round trip train transportation from Paris to Vernon, a guided bike tour from Vernon to Giverny, a picnic lunch along the Seine, entrance to Monet’s house and gardens, and a visit to his gravesite.  It’s an easy 6.5-mile round trip bike ride.

And most importantly, be sure your camera is fully charged and has plenty of memory, as you’ll need the space to capture the beautiful surroundings.  This site is truly not to be missed and is really a sight to behold.

(NOTE:  Prices, opening times and URLs are current at time of publication, however subject to change.  Check with each provider directly to confirm your plans prior to your trip.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Champagne… The word itself is so evocative.  What do you think of when you think “champagne”?  Luxury, formality, elegance, glamour, the crème de la crème.  For another great day trip from Paris, head off to explore the magnificent Champagne region of France.  No other sparkling wine in the world is allowed to use the word “champagne” on it label.  Only grapes from the vineyards in the Champagne region are allowed to be called “champagne”.

With France’s highly efficient TGV fast trains, you can visit Reims (rhymes with “sconce”) in a comfortable day trip from Paris.  With a population of 200,000, Reims is known as the City of Champagne, for the 155 miles of underground chalky caves crisscrossing beneath the city, which provide the perfect temperature and humidity for storage of the golden bubbly.

And while most of the world’s leading Champagne houses are based here, there is more to see than just champagne.  From the train station, it’s only about a 15 minute walk to admire the amazing Gothic architecture of the famous Cathedral de Notre Dame, where 26 kings of France were coronated. Built in the 13th century, it was badly damaged in WWI, rebuilt in 1938, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The cathedral also displays spectacular stained glass windows by famous Russian post-impressionist, Marc Chagall

Reims is also famous for being the place where WWII officially ended.  Musée de la Reddition (Surrender Museum) at 12, rue Franklin Roosevelt 51 100 Reims, is the site of the former war room of Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower, where Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945.  The former school building has been declared a historical monument, and you can tour the war room, and view the strategic war maps still on the walls.

(NOTE:  The museum has been closed for renovations, and is scheduled to re-open Spring 2009.  Check their website or call for re-opening dates.) 

If you’re not into history, then just take a taxi from the train station straight over to Piper Heidsieck. (51 Boulevard Henry Vasnier). This is essentially Disneyland for champagne lovers.  Board the automated champagne train for a 15-minute tour which explains the history and process of growing, harvesting, blending and aging the fine fizzy delicacy.

Also, be sure to stop in the tasting room at the end, where you can taste three varieties of the beautiful bubbly, served with an assortment of macaroons.

From Piper Heidsieck, it’s a short walk over to Taittinger. (9, Place Saint-Nicaise), where a gracious interpreter leads you down into the chalky limestone caves and explains the aging and fermentation process, the riddling rack, etc. on an hour-long walking tour.  The caves are quite impressive and along the way, you’ll see a museum-like photo display of famous celebrities, and dignitaries enjoying Taitingier throughout the last century.

Once again, at the end, you’ll be escorted into a tasting room to sample several vintages. There is a nominal fee for both tours.

You can do a similar tour through Paris Visions for 106 Euro, and travel by bus from central Paris.  It does not include the Surrender Museum, or the flexibility to linger, and is more expensive.  But if you’re timid about venturing out on your own, check them out.

Getting there:

From Gare de L’Est, there are several TGV trains in the morning, and several retuning in the early evening.  62 Euros is the current unrestricted 2nd class fare, but you may find cheaper tickets if you book in advance.  TGV trains ALWAYS require advance reservations.  Click here for the English website for France SNCF train schedules.

Here’s a map of the route.  I would probably walk from the train station (A) to the Cathedral (B), then taxi to Piper Heidsieck (C), walk to Taitinger (D), taxi to Musee de la Reddition (E), and then walk back to the train station.  It’s a full day, but a great one and definitely one to remember.

(NOTE:  Prices, opening times and URLs are current at time of publication, however subject to change.  Check with each provider directly to confirm your plans prior to your trip.)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

My last of 3 great day trips to recommend is the magnificent Chateau of Versailles.  Originally constructed as a modest hunting lodge by Louis XIII in 1624, the Chateau was expanded and transformed over the next 50 years to become what is arguably the most extravagant palace in Europe, if not the world.  The Chateau became the official seat of the French monarchy when Louis the XIV moved the court from Paris to Versailles in 1682, and remained in use until the French Revolution in 1789 when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were “escorted” back to Paris.

Set amid 1800 acres of elaborate gardens and parklands, the Chateau has over 700 rooms, 1,250 fireplaces, 67 staircases and 2,000 windows, with the most elaborate furnishings, sculptures, tapestries and artwork of the time.  The renowned Hall of Mirrors, or Galerie des Glaces, was recently completed after an extensive 3 year, €19 million renovation. Two-thirds of the 357 mirrors were cleaned and restored, and those that could not be restored were replaced with antique substitutes.   In addition, the incredible ceiling artwork of Charles le Brun has been painstakingly hand-cleaned by forty restorers who worked full time for 18 months to return the canvases to their original state.

Also on the Domain of Versailles, you will find the Grand Trianon, which was used by the king as a retreat when he wanted to get away from the formality and demands of the royal court. Sort of a “staycation”, you might say.  You can also visit the Petit Trianon, which was originally built by order of Louis XV for his long-time paramour, Madame de Pompadour.  Sadly, she died before its completion, so Madame du Barry, her replacement, set up residence there.  When young Louis XVI ascended to the throne in 1774, he gave the Petit Trianon to his 19 year-old queen, Marie Antoinette.

There is so much more to see here that I won’t go into every detail, but I’d be remiss if I did not mention the unbelievable, extravagant gardens.  On weekends in summer you can pay a small extra fee to attend the Grandes Eaux Musicales, famous fountain show.

My best advice is to check the official website for opening times and prices, as they vary for each building and by season.  And you can count on temporary closings for some portions due to ongoing renovations.  But you won’t be disappointed; there is more than enough to occupy a full day! You can purchase tickets online in advance and print them out before you leave home. Or the general admission is covered if you take advantage of the Paris Museum Pass.

Further, the facilities for tourists are just as extensive as the grounds themselves.  With the audio self-guided tours, guided escorted tours, mini-trains, electric carts, segway tours, bicycle tours, restaurants, snack bars, and the obligatory gift shops, this place is a veritable Disneyland.  Yes, of course it’s crowded, but you can’t leave without seeing it.  So, just go!

While I am not a proponent of capital punishment, after spending time at Versailles, it’s not hard to understand why the French invented the guillotine.

Getting there:

Versailles is located about 14 miles southwest of Paris.  From central Paris take the RER Line C5 in the direction of Versailles Rive Gauche Chateau (avoid the Versailles-Chantiers station as it’s not as convenient).  Get off the train, then, just follow the crowds for a 5-10 minute walk to the Chateau.  You can’t miss it!  If you want more detailed instructions on taking the train, I like this blog post Round trip ticket should be around 6 Euros.

For something different and active, try the Fat Tire Bike Tour to Versailles.  Meet the group in Paris, take the train together, shop the local Versailles market for a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beautiful grounds, and bike your way around to tour the extensive domain.  

(NOTE:  Prices, opening times and URLs are current at time of publication, however subject to change.  Check with each provider directly to confirm your plans prior to your trip.)

------

Mary Ann Grisham is a travel industry insider and self-professed travel addict, with over 25 years experience working for a major airline, tour operators, travel agencies and reservation service provider. As creator of the Enchanted Traveler Seminar series, she teaches her students how to “TravelSmart”, combining traditional travel methods with the latest in technology.  Mary Ann is a certified France Destination Specialist, certified by Maison de la France ~ the French National Tourist Office, and shares her love of France and all things French with her students, friends, readers, clients……anyone who will listen!

Mary Ann spends about a month each year traveling in France, exploring new regions, and returning to her favorite spots.  Her most recent forays through France included a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the Midi-Pyrenees, as well as visits through the Languedoc-Roussillon region, with stops in Montpellier, Carcassonne, Nimes, Uzes and Pont du Gard.

Check out her France travel blog at www.enchanted-traveler.com

And follow her on Twitter at @enchantedtravel