Explore Giverny, Chantilly and Fontainebleau, less than an hour by train in the French countryside.
Paris, the City of love, art, culture, delicious food and wine…the list goes on! It is on the bucket list of most people but, after a few days of exploring this vibrant metropolis, you might desire a change of pace and scenery. The good news is that there are some fantastic options within an hour or so of Paris, easily accessible by train, or car if you prefer to drive, that offer an altogether different vibe.
The palace and gardens of Versailles are a worthy option, and many of you may have had the opportunity to visit the gorgeous palace and its grounds. If not, they definitely are worth a visit, however, Versailles is so popular a tourist attraction that you will likely be competing with hordes of other visitors. This is specially the case in the months of July and August, which attract the maximum amounts of national and international tourists to Europe. If your aim is to try and stroll leisurely through the sights without being jostled by excited co-travelers in high density areas, then here are a few suggestions, just about one hour from Paris, that you might want to consider. You can thank us later!
NOTE: Please check on the websites of the place/s listed below regarding their hours of operation, admission fees and any other policies that are important for visitors. These may be subject to change at different times of the year, so it is best to be prepared before you go.
1. Giverny: Monet’s Living Masterpiece
https://claudemonetgiverny.fr/en
Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a famous French painter who is considered to be the founder of the Impressionism form of painting. His 1872 painting, ‘Impression, Sunrise’ is credited with inspiring the name of the movement. He moved to Giverny in 1883 and stayed until he died in 1926, shaping the property into a total work of art—house, gardens, and all. After decades of wear, the estate was restored in the late 1970s and opened to the public; today it is carefully maintained to reflect Monet’s horticultural vision (down to tracking old plant varieties). The site now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each season.
How to get there from Paris
Take a TER Normandie train from Paris-Saint-Lazare Train Station to Vernon-Giverny (about 45–55 minutes train ride). From Vernon station, hop on the seasonal shuttle bus to Giverny (10–15 minutes), or rent a bike for a scenic ride along the Seine river and across the old bridge.
What to see:
Claude Monet’s House & Gardens: This is the pilgrimage for art and garden lovers. You’ll wander the flower-packed Clos Normand in front of Monet’s pink house, then cross under the road to the water garden—all curves, willows, bamboo, and the green Japanese bridge over the lily pond. The site opens daily from April 1 to November 1 (Dates may change according to the year, so please check before you make plans).
Where the paintings were born: In 1893 Monet reshaped a nearby plot into the lily pond that became the subject of hundreds of paintings and later the huge “Nymphéas” canvases. Seeing the reflections and light in person makes those paintings click.
Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny: A short walk from Monet’s home, this museum stages seasonal exhibitions on Impressionism and maintains its own garden. It’s a lovely add-on in the town of Giverny beyond the house and pond on Monet’s estate.
Bottom line: Giverny truly feels like stepping inside a Monet canvas, as has been expressed by many of the visitors to the place. If you are a lover of art, color, or gardens, it’s a magical experience—and one of the most serene day trips you can do from Paris.
2. Chantilly: Aristocratic Elegance, World-Class Art… and Dessert
https://chateaudechantilly.fr/en
Chantilly is closely associated with the Conde family; the current chateau is largely a 19th-century reconstruction by the Duke of Aumale, who bequeathed it (and its enormous collections) to the Institut de France on the condition that the displays remain as he arranged them—hence the immersive, salon-style hang of the artwork. The estate’s identity also ripples through French culture: Chantilly lace became a fashion byword from the 17th–18th centuries, and creme Chantilly (sweetened, vanilla-scented whipped cream) is famously linked to the kitchens here—even if its exact origins are debated.
How to get there from Paris
The quickest ride is a TER from Paris-Gare du Nord to Chantilly-Gouvieux—as fast as 25–30 minutes and frequent throughout the day. You can also take RER D from Paris, but it’s slower with more stops. From the Chantilly-Gouvieux station it’s roughly a 20–25 minute walk through the town to the château; local buses and taxis are available.
What to see:
Chateau de Chantilly & the Musee Conde: The chateau’s art galleries are a revelation—they house France’s second-largest collection of Old Master paintings after the Louvre museum—with works by Raphael, Botticelli, Poussin, Watteau, Ingres, and more. The setting is intimate and beautifully curated.
The Grandes Ecuries & the Living Museum of the Horse: The monumental Great Stables (1719–1735) house a unique museum devoted to the bond between humans and horses, often with equestrian demonstrations under the soaring dome.
Gardens & Parkland: Chantilly’s grounds—water features, avenues, and parterres—make for a graceful walk and perfect picnic spots with chateau views.
Bottom line: Chantilly is like a quieter, more intimate Versailles—with sumptuous art, spectacular stables, and a sweet culinary claim to fame—all a quick dash from Paris.
3. Fontainebleau: A Living Museum of French History
Fontainebleau, or more formally the Chateau de Fontainebleau, holds a unique place among France’s royal residences—it’s the only chateau continuously inhabited by every monarch from the Middle Ages through the 19th century, including the reigns of Louis VII to Napoleon III. In fact, Napoleon I called it “the true home of kings, the house of centuries”. Fontainebleau was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981 for its grand architecture, historical significance, and its role in shaping European art and politics over the centuries.
How to get there from Paris
Fontainebleau is only 55km from Paris. Take a regional train (~40 minutes ride) from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon, then a short bus ride or walk to the château.
What to see:
Grand Parterre & Gardens – This 11-hectare formal garden—designed by Le Notre—is resplendent with boxwood, fountains, and statuary, offering striking geometric patterns and long perspectives.
Horseshoe Staircase (Escalier du Fer-à-Cheval) – An architectural marvel from the 1630s, this grand staircase has some poignant historical significance: it is where Napoleon bade farewell to his Imperial Guard in 1814.
Napoleon’s Apartments & Throne Room – Napoleon’s intimate throne room, his study where he signed his abdication, and his personal interiors are fascinatingly scaled and rich with historic French symbolism.
Diana Gallery – A tranquil, art-filled indoor promenade—80 meters long—with a beautifully painted ceiling; elegant and less crowded than Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors.
Chinese Museum – Empress Eugénie’s collection includes lacquer panels, Ming dynasty artifacts, and artifacts looted from the Summer Palace—a unique, mesmerizing window into 19th-century colonial history.
Imperial Theatre – This 400-seat court theatre from the Second Empire (France under the rule of Napoleon III) remains remarkably intact and evocative of its time.
Gardens, Park & Forest
From decorous garden pathways to more rustic and romantic English-style gardens and the serene Carp Pond, the grounds invite both admiration and relaxation. In spring and summer, you can take a carriage ride, boat, or just stroll through the spacious greenery.
Beyond the chateau lies the renowned Forest of Fontainebleau—22,000 hectares of wild terrain with walking, cycling, horseback riding, rock climbing, and hiking trails through dramatic sandstone formations and tranquil groves.
Bottom line: Fontainebleau offers eight centuries of French history for a less crowded, diverse experience where you can wander lavishly furnished rooms (including the only intact throne room in France), linger in gardens shaped by royal visionaries, and explore a vast forest beloved by artists and adventurers.
Some Final thoughts
Giverny, Chantilly and Fontainebleau are some of the most easily accessible and enjoyable day trips from Paris. None of these trips require extensive planning: buy a train ticket (or rent a car if you like), bring comfortable shoes, and go. In return, you’ll get to experience Giverny’s shimmering reflections and colorful blooms, Chantilly’s aristocratic calm and classic art (with dessert), and Fontainebleau’s historic architecture and natural beauty. All three are located in the calm and quaint French countryside, each one within an hour of Paris. Passez un bon sejour en France!
