Oh to live la vie en rose in Paris! Who doesn't know the city of love, lights and museums. Trust me, I tried really hard to find that third L but I couldn't not mention the huge number of magnifique museums that Paris is known for!
As much as I love Paris in itself, one of my favourite things about it is the fact that it's so well connected to other french cities and towns. There is no dearth of amazing day-trips and weekend getaways that you can take from Paris to experience France beyond it's charming capital.
So, let me introduce you to 5 of my favourite day trips from Paris that can be done under INR 10,000 :
1. Dijon
Time to reach from Paris by train : 1h 30 mins to 3h
Earliest Train from Paris : 6:52 AM
Last train from Dijon : 8:17 PM
Yep, it's the same Dijon from the famous dijon mustard, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. Dijon is the beautiful and historically rich capital of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in Northeastern France. It offers some of the most stunning architecture and food you can try in all of France, and has plenty to see, so you'll have some amazing options for your trip!
Must Visit Places :
Place de la Liberation, Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, Paroisse Notre-Dame de Dijon, Parc de la Colombiere, Jardin Darcy, Lac Kir
2. Lille
Time to reach from Paris by train : 1h 30 mins to 3h
Earliest Train from Paris : 6:52 AM
Last train from Lille : 8:27 PM
Lille is the fourth largest city of France that perfectly combines culture and history of Flanders, France and Norway. Situated near the border with Belgium, today it's a cultural hub and a bustling university city that doesn't get the appreciation it should. With its beautifully restored bricks and stones houses, some of which dating back to the 17th century, you're bound to fall in love.
Must Visit Places :
La grand-place, Le Vieux-Lille, Le palais des beaux-arts, La piscine : musée d'art et d'industrie de roubaix, Le marché de Wazemmes, Parc naturel des plaines de l'escaut,
3. Versailles
Time to reach from Paris by train : 20 minutes to 45 minutes
Earliest Train from Paris: 6:00 AM
Last train from Versailles: 10:29 PM
I'm sure this place will ring a bell if you've ever studied history, specially the French Revolution, Versailles is home to the historic and grandiose Palace of Versailles. If cute little cafes and lovely streets is your vibe, this one's for you. It's a rather neglected city that has a lot to offer for a day's worth of wanderlust apart from the must-visit Palace!
Must Visit Places :
Château de Versailles, Carré Saint-Louis, Versailles Cathedral, Rue du Jeu de Paume, Musée Lambinet, Hôtel de Ville of Versailles, Versailles garden
4. Orleans
Time to reach from Paris by train : 1h to 1h 45 mins depending on the train
Earliest Train from Paris: 5:37 AM
Last train from Orleans : 9:34 PM
Often known as the city of Joan of Arc, Orleans is the capital of the Centre-Val de Loire region. Once one of the most important cities in France, it totally deserves to be rediscovered. Featuring whitewashed, perfectly-preserved facades, a bustling town centre that never feels too busy and a lively waterfront bordering the Loire River, you have to give this one a go!
Must Visit Places :
Cathedrale Ste-Croix, Maison de Jeanne d’Arc, Old Quarter, Le Parc Floral de la Source, Hôtel Groslot, Place du Martroi, Jardin des plantes
5. Reims
Time to reach from Paris by train : 45 Mins to 2 Hours depending on the train
Earliest Train from Paris: 7:07 AM
Last train from Reims : 7:37 PM
Home to several UNESCO Heritage Sites, this charming northeastern french city doesn't get the praise it deserves. From the jaw-dropping Reims Cathedral to the renowned Champagne houses and informative museums, there are plenty of reasons why this historically rich city should be on your list.
Must visit places :
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Palace of Tau, St. Remi History Museum, Villa Demoiselle, Reims-Champagne Automobile Museum, Veuve Clicquot, Champagne Ruinart
After living in France for over 3 years (here's how!), I strongly believe that France is so much more than just Paris so did I make you want to explore beyond Paris on your next trip? Tell me in the comments below. But if you're just looking for places you need to check out in Paris, check this out.
Side note : The trains and timings mentioned below are as per August and can change with the months. Also, you'll find that it's cheaper to take buses but they will take longer. You can also try using Blablacar depending on availability. Your budget might go over Rs.10,000 depending on what you eat and the paid attractions you decide to visit.
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