Visiting Paris is definitely the dream of many, and experiencing this city goes beyond it being the City of Light or commonly known as the City of Love.
Paris offers cultural, gastronomic, and historical richness, known for being a standard of art and science, making it the most visited tourist destination in the world, with over 42 million foreign visitors exploring its fascinating streets every year. Therefore, if you plan to go to Europe, you cannot miss visiting it.
Often, we allocate many days to visit the city, but out of excitement, we may finish our itinerary early and wonder, “What nearby excursions can I do from Paris in one day?” In this post, we recommend two must-see excursions that will allow you to delve deeper into French culture and enjoy invaluable days.
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous historical monuments in France and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.
Originally, Versailles was a hunting lodge built by King Louis XIII in 1623. However, it was his son, Louis XIV, who transformed the site into the majestic palace we know today.
The palace is an outstanding example of classical French architecture. It features a mix of Baroque and Rococo elements. The palace has more than 2,300 rooms, including the famous State Apartments, the Royal Chapel, and the Royal Opera House.
If there is one place you must visit, it is the Hall of Mirrors, one of the most emblematic rooms in the palace, known for its 357 mirrors that reflect the light from 17 arched windows. This gallery witnessed important historical events, such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
Versailles is also known for hosting one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. These gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre and are famous for their formal style, with geometric parterres, fountains, and ponds. If you decide to visit in summer, you can enjoy their night shows with music and fireworks.
A curious fact about Versailles is that the construction and maintenance of the palace are estimated to have cost the equivalent of over 2 billion dollars today. Although the palace is no longer a royal residence, it is used for diplomatic events and official ceremonies.
Versailles is not only a testimony to the splendor and opulence of the French monarchy but also a symbol of European history and culture.
How to Get to Versailles from Paris
To reach this wonderful palace, there are different options. However, the best option if you are in the center of Paris, considering time and cost, is to use the RER C suburban train towards Versailles-Rive Gauche. It departs from the Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station and makes intermediate stops at the Orsay Museum, Les Invalides, and Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel stations. You should get off at the Versailles – Rive Gauche station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around 4.10 euros.
Once you arrive at the Versailles-Rive Gauche station, you will need to walk for about 10 minutes to reach the main entrance of the palace, where you can enjoy its sculptures and the imposing front view of the palace.
If you are located in other areas of Paris, don’t worry; you can find the following routes:
From Paris Montparnasse: Take line N (towards Rambouillet, Dreux, Mantes-la-Jolie) or the TER towards Chartres. You can get off at Versailles Chantiers. The journey takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
From Paris Saint Lazare: Take line L, or you can access it at La Défense. Make sure to take the train towards “Versailles Rive-Droite” and get off at the terminal station. From the Saint Lazare station, the journey takes about 30 minutes.
From La Défense: Line U towards La Verrière will take you to Versailles Chantiers in 20 minutes.
Another option to visit Versailles is to take the bus; line 171 will take you from Pont de Sèvres in Boulogne-Billancourt to the feet of the Palace of Versailles. If your goal is to delve into French roads and you like driving, you can do so by car, following the A13 route towards Versailles, and you will arrive in about 30 minutes.
Does it Cost to Enter Versailles?
Entering the palace and gardens does have a cost, but don’t worry. In this post, you will find the link to purchase a complete entry that will also include a visit to the gardens, which took years to become what you can observe today—a masterpiece of nature and art.
For this visit, you need to plan well. Dedicate a whole day to exploring it, take your time on the guided tour inside the palace, and enjoy all its gardens. Visit the musical fountains and breathe in the best French air.
- From Paris: Palace of Versailles and Gardens with Transportation Book here
- From Paris: Skip-the-Line Tour of Versailles and Access to the Gardens Book here
- Palace of Versailles: Nighttime Fountain Show Book here
- Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens All-Access Ticket Book here
Disneyland Paris
As a second option, if you love amusement parks and want a 2-in-1 experience, you can visit Disneyland Paris, where you can explore its two theme parks: Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios.
This is one of the most visited tourist sites in Europe, offering a magical experience for visitors of all ages, allowing us to remember our childhood and enjoy it with the little ones.
It is important to know that Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, about 32 km east of Paris, so you need to know how to get there if you are in the City of Light.
How to Get to Disneyland from Paris
You have different options. In this post, we leave you the most representative ones, considering time and money, which are undoubtedly important factors for us travelers.
- Train (RER): From Paris: The easiest way is to take the RER A train from the center of Paris (for example, from the Châtelet-Les Halles station) to the “Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy” station. The journey takes approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Charles de Gaulle Airport: There is a direct TGV train service that takes about 10 minutes.
- Car: You can rent a car and drive from Paris. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Disneyland Paris offers ample parking.
- Bus: There are shuttle bus services from various points in Paris and from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. Companies like Magical Shuttle offer these services.
- Private Transfer: You can book a private transfer service from your hotel or the airport, offering convenience and speed.
Some private transfer options are as follows…
- Paris: Private Transfer to/from Disneyland Paris Book here
- Transportation between Disneyland Paris and CDG/ORY airports Book here
- Paris: Round-trip Coach Transfer from Paris to Disneyland Book here
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Disneyland Paris in One Day?
As you might have guessed, entry to these parks has a cost, and there are different packages. For example, since we only have one day, you need to decide carefully whether to visit one or both parks, keeping in mind that if you choose the second option, you will need to plan your visit well and decide which attractions to visit to make the most of it.
A single park ticket can range from 56 to 99 euros for adults and 51 to 91 euros for children (considered children are those between 3 and 11 years old). Remember, these are average prices, and they vary depending on the season you decide to visit the parks.
On the other hand, considering the above, the full ticket, which includes visiting both parks in one day, can range from 76 to 119 euros for adults and 71 to 111 euros for children.
Some tips to make the most of this visit include booking your tickets in advance. Here are the best options…
- Disneyland Paris: Same Day Admission Ticket book here
- Disneyland® Paris Train and Park Admission Tickets book here
Consider that Disneyland Paris occasionally has special offers that include accommodation, where you could enjoy staying at Disney hotels and take your experience a little further. So, don’t forget to plan your trip in advance and keep checking the official websites and this blog to access the best plans. Without a doubt, Disneyland Paris offers a magical experience for the whole family.
We hope that with this guide, you can enjoy the best day trips from Paris.
