Paris is a great city, with countless things to see and do. But it can also be a busy and crowded city and after some days of sightseeing from dawn till dusk, you may need a break. Luckily, there are many cute towns near Paris worth visiting, perfect to get out in the fresh air and see a different side of France. Most of these towns around Paris make excellent day trips from Paris by train. Most of the Paris countryside day trips proposed below are very easy to reach by train. SNCF, the French rail network, links all the major towns and cities while also linking up many small towns in rural France.
Generally, trains are on time, comfortable, relatively cheap and definitely our favorite way to explore the towns and cities around Paris. If you are also concerned about your carbon footprint, and you want to reduce it, trains are the best way to go around. A Guided Tour is not the cheapest option but it is definitely the most comfortable one.
Usually Guided Tours include skip-the-line tickets and a very knowledgeable English speaking guide, which makes the place or attraction even more interesting. Also, half-day guided tours are perfect for people with not much time to spend in Paris but who still want to see more than the capital. Having your own car gives you a lot of freedom plus cars are great to go off the beaten path.
If you need to rent a car, we recommend choosing a car rental office located on the outskirts of Paris: they usually have better prices and you avoid the hassle of driving through the city. Reach the rental office by metro and avoid the traffic jams of Paris! We use and recommend Rentalcars. Rentalcarscompares companies at over 53, locations to guarantee you the best price. Click here to book your car with Rentalcars. We have classed the list of small towns outside Paris by region. Head here to read more about the Regions of France.
Provins is one of the best medieval towns near Paris and it makes a great day trip from Paris by train. This fortified town is well known for its medieval fairs, usually held in June. A long time ago Provins was the capital of the powerful Counts of Champagne. Click here to read more about the medieval town of Provins. By Train: Paris to Provins is one of the easiest Paris day trips by train.
