Weekend Trips from Paris

rsparman in Brittany

The world has a romance with Paris — the City of Lights, the City of Love, the city of astounding sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, the Tuileries Gardens, and so much more. Visiting this incredible metropolis of romance and culture is a great experience, but there are also many great experiences to be had in the regions and cities surrounding Paris. For travelers wishing to venture outside of Paris, here are some ideas for places to see and things to do, from a day-trip to the Palace of Versaille to a week-long excursion along Brittany’s Emerald Coast.

Normandy

The region of Normandy offers an incredible array of cultural, historic, and natural wonders for travelers to explore. 360-miles of beautiful coastline, including the historic landing beaches of Normandy, provide opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, and historic remembrance. There are museums, monuments, and cemeteries commemorating the Battle of Normandy along a 60-mile stretch of coast — an excellent starting point for touring the beaches and other historic landmarks is the town of Caen, where travelers may find bus service to the battle beaches, or rent a car for more freedom. Travelers interested in art will enjoy a trip to Giverny, where they may tour Claude Monet’s house and the gardens that inspired his famous waterlily paintings. The town of Rouen is both a large commercial center and a historic gem. It is the place where Joan of Arc and William the Conquerer died, and also the home of many museums as well as the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame. In Mont Saint Michel is found France’s second most popular tourist attraction –the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, an astounding work of architecture built atop a 264-foot islet.

Resources:
Normandy Travel Guide
Normandy - From Bayeux to the D-Day Invasion by Steve & Sally
Humbled by History - Day 2 in Normandy by JENNE

Versailles

Known for the extravagant Palace of Versailles, travelers come to this Parisian suburb to experience the grandeur of royal life. Only 11 miles from the city’s center (a 30 minute train ride,) the Palace is one of the world’s most dazzling sights. The Court of Versailles was the center of power in France from 1682 - 1789, home to kings and queens with elaborate tastes. Wandering through the Grand Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the extraordinary chapels, and the exquisite parks and gardens of the Palace of Versailles is an unforgettable experience, not to be missed while in France.

Resources:
Versailles Travel Guide
Fit for a King by Marshall
The 2nd Day - Versailles Style by &Benita

Brittany’s Emerald Coast

Running along the north coast of Brittany, the Emerald Coast stretches from St-Malo’s historic port to Cap Fréhel. It’s hard to find a single sight on this route that isn’t gorgeous. Travelers come to see the beautiful Breton countryside, stay in lovely seaside resorts (of which there are many, all linked by a coast road), wander around charming chateaus, and explore historic towns like Dinan. A great way to see the Emerald Coast is by bike. The coastal route is lined with easy bike trails and flat roads that allow you to feel the wind in your hair while taking in miles of unspoiled beaches and serene countryside.

Resources:
Brittany Travel Guide
Lost by rsparman
Il de Brehat by Traveling Whitneys

Chartres

Chartres is a lovely town, and well worth the one-hour trek by train from the City of Lights. Chartres is known world-wide for its perfumes, and travelers will find an abundance of charming perfume shops throughout the town. Chartres Cathedral is a main attraction here — the startling Gothic architecture and breathtaking stained-glass windows have earned it World Heritage Site status. Ancient churches and great museums satisfy visitors’ desire for art and culture, while lively festivities and fun arts and crafts shops inspire joy.

On their World-Wide Odyssey, RealTravelers The Cheng Family visited Chartres, and were especially delighted by their trip to the Chartres Cathedral. They write:

“We had come to see the cathedral of Chartres, and it being Sunday, what better way to see it than to attend a mass. The kids were game while David chose to stretch out in the Peugeot by himself. The first mass of the day was a Gregorian mass at 9:15 and it was a beautiful experience… the combination of the acoustics, the beautiful sounds of the French and Latin kyries , the dignity of this very old building and the beautiful stained glass made this a very special experience.” (more…)

Resources:
Chartres Travel Guide
Sleepless in Chartres by The Cheng Family
Sweating it out for the saints by Four Explore

Other excellent destinations for weekend trips from Paris include exploring the enchanting chateaus of Loire Valley, enjoying the wild rides and lively shows at EuroDisney, and tasting delicious champagne and sparkling wine in France’s Champagne Region, beginning with the historic town of Reims. For more ideas on exciting adventures in France, visit the useful links listed below.

Useful Links:
France Travel Guide
Top Spots in France
France Travel Map
France Travel Blogs

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