Planning a week vacation in Paris? In addition to the wonders of the city, the neighborhoods, and curious places you have time to make a tour around the city.
That is why we have created a guide to the seven places that deserve to be seen a few kilometers from Paris.
1. Domaine de Chantilly
A very romantic princely castle surrounded by a moat. You can enjoy the elegant interiors and rooms filled with precious works of art and manuscripts. The huge garden that surrounds the property is worth a walk, as are the golf courses and horse racing tracks. Don’t miss the Horse Museum and the royal stables.
2. Domaine de Sceaux
Domaine de Sceaux it is an ideal place for a relaxing picnic in one of the large green spaces away from the chaos of the city. The property is made up of several buildings: Castle, Orangerie, Pavillon de l’Aurore, Petit Château, and stables. Their visit is a real walk through the history of France.
3. Chartres
The city of Chartres, founded by the Gauls and strengthened in the Middle Ages, has retained its magnificence. Lose yourself in the seats of the upper city, where you will make a real leap back in time among the old buildings. You can enjoy the market, the river Eure, and what remains of this enchanting village with its charming bridges and mills. A must visit is the Cathedralwhere King Henry IV was crowned.
4. Vaux Le Vicomte
One of the excursions worth doing from Paris is to this incredible 17th century Baroque palace. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by a 1400 meter street. Founded by the finance minister of Louis XIV, Nicolas Fouquet, who brought together the best artists of the time to build this magnificent castle. The palace is located approximately 50 km south-east of Paris.
5. Versailles Palace
With its magnificent palaces, rooms and gardens, the Versailles Palace is one of the attractions you must visit just outside Paris. During the summer months, you can attend Musical Fountains, and water jets that follow the rhythm of the music. You can visit its most beautiful rooms such as the Opera, Royal Chapelle, Hall of Mirrors, Hall of Hercules and Orangery which are the venue for concerts and ballets. Read on how to visit the Palace of Versailles.
6. Giverny
On the right bank of the Seine, Giverny is known to the world thanks to the paintings of Claude Monet who lived in this small town from 1883 until his death. the Giverny Museum of Impressionism every year two to three temporary exhibitions that bring together the biggest names of Impressionism, in particular those of the Giverny and Seine Valley painters’ colony. Visit the beautiful house and garden of the painter who made him famous where you will find the water lily pond and the famous “Japanese” bridge.
7. Palace of Fontainebleau
It is the only royal and imperial castle inhabited for centuries and today it is an exceptional example of history and art. Fontainebleau has one of the most important collections of antique furniture in France and preserves an exceptional collection of paintings, sculptures and objets d’art from the 6th to the 19th century. One of the symbols of the building is the famous staircase horse at the Palace of Fontainebleau.
Next, see my photos of the love lock bridge in Paris and the best sights in Paris that aren’t the Eiffel Tower.