Photo by Eric Sander
Welcome to our new monthly series: MFCH Staff Favorites!
Every month, the members of the My French Country Home team will share a recommendation for their favorite thing in France right now.
With August being the busiest time of the year for tourism to Paris, we’re offering our top suggestions for the best day trips from Paris!
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If you have the time on your next trip over, we recommend escaping the hustle and bustle for a day and checking out one of these blissful destinations just a short distance from the capital.
For a more extensive and detailed itinerary on each of these destinations, check out our Day Trips from Paris – 7 Full-Day Itineraries!
Giverny
Recommended by Olivia, MFCH Brand Strategist, Writer, & Editor
As an artist at heart, there’s nothing more enchanting to me than strolling through Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny. This painter’s oasis is just an hour away by train from Gare Saint-Lazare, with a shuttle that takes you straight to Monet’s iconic rose-pink house with its shamrock-green shutters.
The home itself is exquisite, featuring dozens of paintings casually hung throughout the space in a way that feels as if the artist might appear around the corner at any moment. Still, the experience of walking through the garden is truly unparalleled. The dedicated team of gardeners keep the grounds meticulously manicured while maintaining that wild sense of natural beauty that was so perfectly captured in Monet’s works. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped inside one of the Impressionist’s masterpieces, this is where you need to go.
Domaine de Courances
Recommended by Alizée, MFCH Travel & Tour Manager
Just around an hour from Paris, Courances is one of my absolute favorite day trips. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard and doesn’t need to. The gardens are stunning, with old trees, water features everywhere, and a calm that’s hard to describe until you’ve been. I especially love coming in the spring or autumn, when the light is softer and the colors change.
You can walk on the grass (which always feels like a luxury in this kind of place), sit under a tree, or take your time exploring the different parts of the park, from classical French symmetry to more wild, romantic areas. And don’t miss the Foulerie, their little tearoom where you can sit outside with a slice of cake. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and never crowded. Every time I go, I leave feeling grounded and inspired.
Le Perche National Park
Recommended by Maddy, MFCH Magazine Writer & Editor
An easy two-hour drive from Paris, Le Perche is a breath of fresh air and a welcome place to retreat from the urban bustle. With rolling parkland, traditional stone farm buildings, a plethora of hiking trails and a few quietly grand manors, this part of western Normandy — bordering Brittany — is lush, low-key and full of character.
Spend the day exploring the park’s 65 hectares (160 acres) of well-preserved landscape, and, if you want to extend your stay overnight (or just want a standout evening meal), book into D’une Île. A former farm turned guesthouse by the team behind Septime, it’s an understated gem, with organic, hyper-local food made on-site or nearby. A proper country escape for those who care about the details.
Chantilly
Recommended by Sharon, MFCH Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Just beyond the Charles de Gaulle airport lies the elegant town of Chantilly. At its heart stands the magnificent château, poised beside a tranquil lake. Once home to the Duke d’Aumale, son of France’s last king, the château houses one of the nation’s most important art collections. Bequeathed to France under the strict condition that nothing be altered, the estate remains preserved exactly as he intended.
The extensive grounds of the château can be visited. Either wander through the parkland, or slow down to see the Hamlet and the Anglo-Chinese garden. Across the road, the Grand Stables host equestrian shows year-round, while the Chantilly Racecourse brings excitement each June when it hosts the prestigious Prix de Diane race, France’s answer to Royal Ascot. In May, Chantilly is home to one of France’s largest plant fairs! Specialists arrive from all around France to display and sell their most beautiful plants.
For those wishing to linger, the luxurious Auberge du Jeu de Paume offers refined hospitality. Enjoy dinner at the hotel or wander into town to discover a range of inviting local restaurants.
Caen, Normandy
Recommended by Jessy, MFCH Customer Service Coordinator
Just two hours away by train from Gare Saint-Lazare, Caen is a rich cultural hub on the coast of Normandy. The city teems with student and local life where you’ll find yourself among ancient Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and a thriving cafe scene. Strolling through the cobbled streets, bibliophiles will be swept up by independent bookstores with rare treasures, nestled between boutiques and loved French brands. It’s not hard to see why icons such as David Hockney choose to live and work nearby.
At the heart of the city, you’ll find yourself among two grand abbeys, founded by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda. Both miraculously survived the bombing of World War II and remain symbols of Norman resilience. Caen’s story is a woven fabric of ancient history and the modern world. If only the walls of those ruins could talk!
Les Andelys
Recommended by Nicola, MFCH Magazine Writer & Editor
A few years ago, I discovered Les Andelys along an especially serpentine stretch of the Seine and was instantly charmed by its beauty and rich history. A little over an hour’s drive from Paris, this ancient fishing village was originally settled by the Romans. Its medieval half-timbered houses are bordered by the riverbank on one side and steep limestone cliffs on the other, making for a truly magical setting.
Floating above it all is the magnificent ruins of the Château Gaillard, built in 1196 by King Richard I of England to defend his lands in Normandy from French attack. The fortress itself is fascinating to explore, and the views from its ramparts cannot be beat!
Auvers-sur-Oise
Recommended by Sarah, MFCH Subscription Box & Boutique Manager
Less than an hour from Paris by train, Auvers-sur-Oise is an idyllic day trip steeped in art and history. This charming village was the final home of Vincent van Gogh, who painted over 70 works here in the final months of his life. You can visit his modest room at the Auberge Ravoux and stroll past sites that inspired his masterpieces, including the iconic church and wheat fields.
Easy walking trails wind through the countryside, offering breathtaking views that mirror his brushstrokes. The town also features museums and artists’ homes, making it a peaceful yet deeply moving escape into the world of Van Gogh.
We hope these day trips from Paris have inspired you for your next trip! Check back next month for another roundup of our French favorites.
For a more extensive and detailed itinerary on each of these destinations, check out our Day Trips from Paris – 7 Full-Day Itineraries!