Are you in Paris and want to get away from the capital for a day? Here are the 19 walks around Paris that we recommend for everyone!
There is so much to see in the city of lights that we sometimes forget that the region is full of unexpected beauties or other nice places. Moreover, this statement is addressed as much to the vacationers of passage as to the residents of the capital who, often, return to their only favorite spots the weekend. The walks around Paris are numerous, varied and more or less long distance.
Besides, some are known to all, others a little less. There is something for every taste. We tried to center on places accessible by car or train, for a day of visit or walk. Here is our selection of 19 walks to do around Paris!
1. Disneyland Paris
📍 42 kilometers
🚗 By car: 40 minutes
🚆 By train: 55 minutes
Children love it, adults are shared ... Since the early 1990s, Disneyland Paris has nevertheless remained one of the most popular walks around Paris. It's the perfect place for a family getaway with the kids who are thrilled with their favorite cartoon characters.
But adults are not left out with attractions like Space Mountain or the many roller coasters.
2. Arboretum de la Vallée-aux-Loups
📍 9 kilometers
🚗 By car: 35 minutes
🚆 By train: 50 minutes
Located in Châtenay-Malabry, the park was created at the end of the 18th century and aims to be a leading botanical garden. With its 2,500 trees and plants, the collection of the arboretum is indeed very rich. It is one of the most beautiful walks around Paris.
The place is conducive to relaxation and rest, a real green! We feel so far from Paris ... For lovers of literature, the park also includes the Châteaubriand house.
3. Versailles
📍 22 kilometers
🚗 By car: 40 minutes
🚆 By train: 40 minutes
To see / to do: Palace of Versailles and its outbuildings (gardens, Queen's hamlet, Trianon), Cathedral, Jeu de Paume hall
Versailles is a must visit around Paris. Of course, the city is marked by the old royal presence with its castle as a spearhead, without forgetting the magnificent outbuildings such as the gardens, the Trianon or the Queen's Hamlet.
It is easy to spend the day taking yourself for Louis XIV or Marie-Antoinette, there is so much to see and places to land. But that would be missing out on the city of Versailles which has beautiful streets and a superb cathedral. An exhausting day but we do not forget!
4. Enghien-les-Bains
📍 40 kilometers
🚗 By car: 30 minutes
🚆 By train: 14 minutes
To see / to do: Casino d'Enghien, walk around the lake
A separate city in the Parisian suburbs, Enghien and its lake were created in 1850 following the discovery of the most sulphurous thermal springs in France. This status allows the city to host the only casino less than 100 km from Paris, a boon for players!
But Enghien is also a unique stroll around Paris thanks to its lake, beautiful greenery and a moment of escape far from the bustle of the capital.
5. Island of the Impressionists
📍 20 kilometers
🚗 By car: 35 minutes
🚆 By train: 30 minutes
To see / to do: stroll on the island
Venerated by 19th century painters, hence its name, the Impressionist Island is a little escape in the middle of the Seine. Its park is suitable for walks and picnics in summer. Undoubtedly one of the friendliest walks around Paris.
6. Parc Asterix
📍 46 kilometers
🚗 By car: 40 minutes
🚆 By train: 33 minutes
Parc Astérix is the other large amusement park in the region. Less magical for children than Disneyland, it is popular with thrill seekers! In less than an hour from Paris, you can quickly try to spend the day there.
7. Giverny
📍 75 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h15
🚆 By train: 1h15
To see / to do: walk in the village and discover the heritage of Claude Monet
It is to Claude Monet that we owe the current reputation of this small Norman village . By settling there, the painter found a new source of inspiration for his art and embellished the village with his house and its gardens.
Today, Giverny is a real moment of pleasure, one of the most beautiful visits around Paris, a little escape for a day. In addition, when the weather is on your side, the only desire you have is to stay there as long as possible, sipping your coffee or a good glass of wine.
8. Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte
📍 60 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h
To see / to do: the two castles
A day for those passionate about royal architecture! Located a few kilometers from each other, the two castles can indeed be visited on the same day if one is transported. The two buildings being quite different, there is no risk of a feeling of deja vu.
In summer, Vaux-le-Vicomte offers nocturnal visits on Saturdays by candlelight. We take full eyes!
9. Auvers-sur-Oise
📍 30 kilometers
🚗 By car: 45 minutes
🚆 By train: 1h10
To see / to do: visit the village and the castle, follow Van Gogh's steps
If Giverny merges with Monet, Auvers-sur-Oise is intimately linked to Vincent Van Gogh. However, the village has inspired many other painters but Van Gogh is the one who will have the most impact. It is especially possible to visit his last home.
Auvers-sur-Oise also has its castle which, if it is not as famous as others, presents a beautiful architectural interest.
10. Senlis
📍 50 kilometers
🚗 By car: 50 minutes
🚆 By train: 1h10
To see / to do: discovery of the city center, visit of the castle and museums
With its superb cathedral, its castle and its half-timbered houses, Senlis is an appreciable stroll around Paris by enthusiasts of historic architecture. We love the relatively quiet little town center where you can have lunch in peace.
11. Chantilly
📍 47 kilometers
🚗 By car: 50 minutes
🚆 By train: 1h10
To see / to do: visit of the castle, tasting of Chantilly cream
Located a few kilometers from Senlis, Chantilly can easily be visited the same day if you are transported. The town's castle is its main attraction, sublime architecture and a huge estate. It is one of the most beautiful walks around Paris that we love.
But in Chantilly, you can taste the cream of the same name which is indeed native to the city. To your taste buds!
12. Montfort l'Amaury
📍 50 kilometers
🚗 By car: 45 minutes
🚆 By train: 45 minutes
To see / to do: walk in the village, visit the Ravel museum and the castle
Small medieval city of Yvelines, Montfort l'Amaury is a great idea for a stroll around Paris. With its castle and its alleys, the city offers superb architecture and many places to eat.
For fans of Maurice Ravel, a renowned museum is dedicated to the composer.
13. Regional Natural Park of French Gâtinais and the Château de Courances
📍 60 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h
To see / to do: visit the castle, hike in the park
Here is one of the best walks around Paris for those who want to go green. The park offers multiple and diverse activities: hiking, leisure centers, museums ... There is something for everyone!
The Château de Courances is the main architectural attraction. Less known than its neighbor Fontainebleau, it is easy to visit thanks to its small size and the tea room with its wooden beams is splendid!
14. French Vexin Regional Nature Park
📍 68 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h10
To see / to do: hikes, equestrian activities
The French Vexin is a visit around Paris for hiking aficionados. The trails are very numerous and well marked. It is difficult to find better in the Paris region. For those who like horse riding, it is possible to do horseback riding.
15. Provins
📍 90 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h25
🚆 By train: 1h25
To see / to do: visit the city center, attend shows
A stroll around Paris for those who wish to attend a spectacle of eagles at the foot of the ramparts. It is indeed the main attraction of Provins, a superb show of these enchanting birds.
The medieval city center is also magnificent, a great getaway for the time of a day.
16. Zoo de Thoiry
📍 53 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h
The largest zoo in the Paris region, with its famous bush trucks for the safari to see African animals in semi-freedom. A stroll around Paris appreciated by young and old alike.
17. Chartres
📍 90 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h20
🚆 By train: 1h20
To see / to do: visit of the city center and the cathedral, various museums
With its magnificent cathedral, Chartres is a beautiful stroll around Paris. Located almost an hour and a half away, we still have time to explore the small historic city center that we love.
The walk along the Eure with the fortifications of old Chartres is very pleasant in good weather. A nice place for a good coffee on the terrace.
18. Reims
📍 146 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h40
🚆 By train: 45 minutes
To see / to do: visit the cathedral, the royal square and the city center
Historic city of royal France, it is in Reims that the sacrament of the king takes place for ten centuries. This tradition has enabled the city to embellish itself with royal buildings and a marvelous cathedral.
Of all the walks around Paris, Reims is a reference for the architecture and history of France!
19. Orléa
📍 130 kilometers
🚗 By car: 1h40
🚆 By train: 1h20
To see / to do: cathedral, floral park, House of Joan of Arc
The city of Joan of Arc has unknown riches, notably its floral park which we love very much. The Maid is very present, from her equestrian statue to the house where she spent a few months, transformed into a museum, the city has eyes only for her!
Orleans is a stroll around Paris and walking on the banks of the Loire is a real moment of relaxation.
You now know where to go during your weekends, in order to escape the capital for a moment!