Oh how I love Paris! There’s not a city on the planet I would love to visit again and again like I do Paris. But are there only the Eiffel Tower and the magical walks along the Seine the only options for your visit to the City of Lights? There’s more than enough to do in Paris to keep you busy for weeks but why not venture out for a day trip to see what the Kings and Royalty of the past discovered making their homes in the fresh air and rural French countryside that can’t be found anywhere else. All within an hours train ride! These are my 3 favorite Day Trips from Paris I know you will enjoy to!
Versailles
Yes, this is the top of the list. There’s so much to discover that honestly pictures and movies just can’t come close to seeing this Palace in person.
You already know it’s outrageous and fueled a Revolution but you will be in awe. This royal chateau features the Palace itself, the Trianon (Marie Antoinette’s personal hamlet) and gallery of coaches (the largest collection of coaches in Europe). These three sites alone take at the very least a day to tour let alone exploring the gardens. Choose your options carefully for your day trip and book ahead of time if you can. The day we arrived was unfortunately a holiday and we had not booked ahead. The palace, the Trianon and Gallery were closed but the magnificent gardens open and free to tour. 
Honestly we were not disappointed with all we got to see that day. Versailles as you know was purposely outrageous and ostentatious to impress visitors and royal dignitaries of the day and it still wows. It’s well worth your time and the less than an hour train ride from central Paris to experience the history and lifestyle of French Royalty.
Loire Valley
This stop is only an hour high speed train ride away from Paris and where the Kings and Royalty went when it was to hot to stay in Paris during the summer. They built amazing and beautiful chateaus that sat completely empty all year round till they arrived. The furniture wasn’t even left behind with noone to guard it. Experience for yourself the famous Chambord Chauteau and Chenonceau castles and the luxury of this region. 
Giverny
French artists are famous worldwide but one name is unfading and that is Claude Monet. His beautiful art is timeless and inspired from his immaculately tended gardens. His home and extensive gardens can be toured and the rural village it is part of is inspiring to visit. His legacy left behind surroundings that have been cared for since his death in 1926. 
You can see the paintings in the Musee d’Orsay but why not visit the inspiration? The beauty has been preserved to inspire new generations of artists who regularly paint here and tourists like me who love and admire his work.
It has been said again and again that a visit to Paris is always a good idea! Why not explore what surrounds it that truly supports it as a dream destination.
