DuckAbroad Day Trip Planner

Day trips from Paris

1. Palace of Versailles

Iconic royal palace with grand interiors and expansive gardens—excellent for architectural, detail, and landscape photography.

• Hall of Mirrors interior symmetry and reflections
• Formal gardens, fountains, and geometric compositions
• Golden-hour shots of the palace façade and Grand Canal

By RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, about 40 minutes, then a 10–15 minute walk; or by car, about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

2. Giverny (Monet’s House and Gardens)

A top photogenic garden destination near Paris, famous for impressionist compositions, vibrant florals, and serene water reflections.

• Water-lily pond and Japanese bridge scenes
• Flower beds with strong color palettes and macro opportunities
• Soft pastoral village streets and countryside textures

By train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny, about 45–55 minutes, then shuttle/bus, taxi, bike, or a ~10–15 minute drive to Giverny; or by car, about 75–90 minutes.

3. Fontainebleau (Palace and Forest)

Combines regal architecture with one of France’s most photogenic forests—great for portraits, landscapes, and moody nature shots.

• Renaissance and Baroque palace interiors and staircases
• Forest boulders, sandy paths, and dramatic light shafts
• Autumn foliage and misty morning woodland scenes

By train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau–Avon, about 40 minutes, then bus/taxi to the château; or by car, about 60–80 minutes.

4. Château de Chantilly

A highly photogenic château with water features, gardens, and elegant grounds—excellent for wide architectural frames and reflections.

• Moat reflections and fairytale château angles
• Grand stables and equestrian scenes
• Formal gardens and parkland leading lines

By train from Paris Gare du Nord to Chantilly–Gouvieux, about 25 minutes, then bus/taxi or a ~30 minute walk; or by car, about 50–70 minutes.

5. Provins (Medieval Town)

A UNESCO-listed medieval town offering strong storytelling opportunities: stone architecture, street scenes, and elevated vistas.

• Medieval ramparts and towers with panoramic viewpoints
• Cobbled streets and half-timbered textures
• Blue-hour scenes around gates and stone alleys

By train from Paris Gare de l’Est to Provins, about 1 hour 20 minutes; or by car, about 1 hour 20–40 minutes.

6. Reims (Cathedral and Champagne Architecture)

A compact, photogenic city best known for its Gothic cathedral—excellent for architectural detail, interiors, and city scenes.

• Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral façade and stained glass
• Art Deco and historic streetscapes
• Vineyard-edge landscapes (seasonal) near the city

By high-speed train (TGV) from Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims, about 45–50 minutes; or by car, about 1 hour 30–50 minutes.

7. Auvers-sur-Oise

A scenic artists’ village with quiet lanes, river views, and countryside backdrops—ideal for atmospheric, story-driven photography.

• Painterly village scenes tied to Van Gogh
• Riverside and countryside paths for pastoral landscapes
• Church and historic streets for documentary-style shots

By train from Paris (Gare du Nord, with transfer) to Auvers-sur-Oise, about 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes; or by car, about 45–70 minutes.

8. Rouen (Historic Center)

A richly textured historic city with strong street and architectural photography—especially compelling in low light and rain-slick streets.

• Half-timbered streets and medieval façades
• Rouen Cathedral for dramatic architecture and details
• River Seine viewpoints and blue-hour cityscapes

By train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Rouen Rive Droite, about 1 hour 20–1 hour 40 minutes; or by car, about 1 hour 40–2 hours (traffic dependent).

9. Chartres (Cathedral Town)

A classic cathedral destination with world-renowned stained glass—excellent for interior low-light work and architectural compositions.

• Chartres Cathedral stained glass and sculptures
• Old town lanes and riverside viewpoints
• Night illumination (seasonal) for long exposures

By train from Paris Montparnasse to Chartres, about 1 hour; or by car, about 1 hour 20–40 minutes.