10 charming places to discover less than 100 km from Paris
Written by: Marina Marcout
Translation: S.Castlemilk
Date: 04/12/2023
City of Lights, city of love and romance, the World’s most popular tourist destination, the host of the Summer Games… Paris enjoys worldwide renown! But what would you say to a little escapade away from the French capital and its city craze? Oh not far, no further than 100 km, to discover other places, less famous but which still offer natural and cultural treasures. Of course some have already dared to wander off, getting their adrenaline and wonder rush at Disneyland Paris or walking around in Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny but we want you to discover less touristy sites, lead you on the path not (or less) taken!
We’ve chosen 10 unusual places you can visit less than 100 km from Paris. By car, train, bike or even subway, enjoy a complete change of scenery by exploring other destinations, leaving the Eiffel Tower only an hour away!
- The Little Venice of the Paris region
- A touch of Normandy in the Yvelines
- At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley
- Heaven on Earth in the Val-d’Oise
- Arsty promenade in Barbizon
- A stopover in the French Vexin
- Barley sugar land in Seine-et-Marne
- La Vie en Rose…s in the Hauts-de-France
- Time capsule in Provins
- Imagine your own fable in Champagne
The Little Venice of the Paris region
11 km from Paris
Forget the Orient Express! One metro ticket and there you are, walking along canals. Less than 10 stops from the Porte Dorée metro station (line 8), get off at Créteil and enjoy a hike in both an urban and bucolic setting. Discover the unusual architecture of the Val-de-Marne prefecture starting with the famous Choux buildings, designed in the 1970s by Gérard Granval or the surprising Notre-Dame-de-Créteil, the first cathedral of the 21st century. Most of all, head to the “Little Venice of the 94 department”. A peace haven made up of four little river islands (Brise-Pain, Guyère, Sainte-Catherine, Ravageurs) on the Marne river and inhabited by kingfishers, barnacle geese and swans. Far from the city clamour, walking, cycling, by boat or kayak, you will discover its charms in the shade of centuries old trees and weeping willows.
For more information: office de tourisme Val-de-Marne
A touch of Normandy in the Yvelines
33 km from Paris
Feeling in a nautical mood? Head to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine! The capital of inland water shipping for 160 years is located in the department 78, at the confluence of the Seine and the Oise rivers. Considered by some as the little sister of the Impressionists’ sweetheart, Honfleur in Normandy, this delightful town is accessible by train (from the St Lazare train station). In a pleasant and coastal atmosphere, walking or cycling is the best way to discover the boat-filled quays including a hundred river barges. Hop on board the surprising Je sers, a hundred year old floating chapel. In this listed building, masses are still celebrated daily. Then take the high road to reach the Tour Montjoie, vestige of a medieval castle. If you miss the Eiffel Tower, you can always catch a glimpse of her when the sky is clear. A reminder that Paris is only 30 km away!
To find out more visit the city’s website
The heart of the Chevreuse Valley
33km from Paris
First regional Natural Park created in the Paris region, a visit to the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse guarantees you an XXL breath of fresh and green air! Its 633 km2 of woods and fields astride on two departments (Yvelines and Essonne) shelter no less than fifty towns including its namesake Chevreuse which is worth a little detour.
A 30 minute RER ride away, this town of the 78 department, built on the banks of the Yvette, offers many bucolic hiking possibilities: along the water, over little bridges, discovering canals and ancient lavoirs (i.e. wash houses). After a 400 meter climb, you will reach the medieval castle of la Madeleine which proudly overlooks the valley and offers a spectacular view of the surroundings… Breathtaking by all seasons, the panorama will allow you to plan your next escapade in the area.
Find out more: site du Parc national régional Haute Vallée de Chevreuse
Heaven on Earth in the Val-d’Oise
38 km from Paris
“Green Paradise”, “city park”… there are no lack of words to describe L’Isle-Adam, a city which used to be the French aristocracy’s favourite holiday destination. But it was probably Honoré de Balzac who gave the best description of the city in a letter addressed to his sister Laure Surville in 1817 when he called it “Heaven on Earth”.
Two centuries later the city located around 30 km from Paris, has lost nothing of its peaceful lushness. When the weather is sunny, you can relax on the sand of its river beach, the biggest in France, and enjoy its water sports activities. On foot, by boat or bicycle explore the banks of the river Oise and take photographs of the romantic statues, a reminder that L’Isle-Adam inspired many artists including the painters Fragonard and Dupré.
Bike hikers will also be happy to know that the city features one of the possible routes of the legendary Avenue Verte London-Paris, a 470 km cycling route connecting the two capitals on either side of the Channel!
More information: here https://ville-isle-adam.fr/en
Artsy promenade in Barbizon
Less than 60 km from Paris On the threshold of Fontainebleau and its forest, Barbizon will make you forget the same old Parisian street art strolls and take you back to the roots of Painting. In 1857, Jean-François Millet chose to set up his easel in this Seine-et-Marne hamlet and paint L’Angélus bringing international fame to the small village.
Other painters found their inspiration there: Corot, Delacroix and Manet also used its scenery as the setting for some of their works.
Today, the “painters’ village” still shelters art studios and galleries of contemporary artists. An invitation to discover new creations or reproductions of pre-impressionist masterpieces exposed on the walls of this charming rural town, also accessible by public transport (train and bus!)
More information here https://www.barbizon.fr/
Stopover in the French Vexin
70 km from Paris
If Giverny, made famous by Monet and his Nympheas, attract all the attention (and many buses full of tourists) its neighbour, located only 10 km away, is also worth your while. Listed as one the most beautiful villages in France, La Roche-Guyon can be proud of its rich natural, historic and cultural heritage.
Built on the edges of l’Ile-de France and Normandy, this city of the Val d’Oise seems to have been custom-made to seduce painters such as Braque, Cézanne, Renoir and Pissarro who immortalised each of its assets. From its thousand year old donjon carved in stone overlooking the endless golden fields of the Vexin, to the winding Seine below, its typical half-timber houses or troglodyte architecture, you won’t regret having left the city turmoil behind. It’s your turn now to create the canvas of your escapade outside of Paris.
Barley sugar land in Seine-et-Marne
Less than 80 km from Paris
Like the sugar treat which was invented there over 300 years ago by Benedictine nuns, Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne must be savoured. This town, located in the department 77 and easily accessible by the Transilien train (45 min) offers the perfect interlude for exhausted city dwellers. In its medieval streets, History tells its stories: a gothic architecture church, the remains of a royal castle, the grave of the British impressionist painter Alfred Sisley who found in the small town the inspiration for many of his paintings. Time seems to stand still by the Loing and its tributaries which wind through the emerald countryside. The more athletic visitors will canoe down the river or ride along on their bikes. An obvious choice, knowing that the town houses a bicycle museum!
Further information on the tourist office website
La Vie en Rose(s) in the Hauts-de-France
85 km from Paris
Exactly 85 km from Paris, Gerberoy is THE typical French village. This small town located in the Oise department shelters only 100 human inhabitants but several thousand other green tenants… Roses! The city’s emblem is everywhere: in its medieval gardens, landscaped parks, climbing the walls of its colourful half-timber cob houses, hollyhocks lining the cobblestone streets.
This unique hamlet, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, invites you to a festival of nuances and fragrances. The impressionist painter Henri Le Sidaner found its inspiration there at the beginning of the 19th century.
A walk on Gerberoy’s ramparts, a bike ride on the surrounding river banks, a picnic near the ponds where reeds, willow trees and irises co-exist in picture perfect harmony. Welcome to the village of a thousand rose bushes.
Good to know: a free and compulsory parking area is located at the village entrance.
For more information, click here.
Time capsule in Provins
Less than 90 km from Paris
More than a simple trip less than 100 km away from Paris, Provins invites you to travel in time. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this thousand year old city located in Seine-et-Marne is particularly renowned for its Médiévales, the biggest medieval festival in Europe. Additionally to this historic celebration, the fortified city will enchant you with its ramparts, among the most imposing in France, its small streets built wide enough to welcome many fairs throughout the ages. You will admire its half-timber houses while walking up to the Tour César.
Once you leave Provins, don’t forget to stop 20 km further at Bray-sur-Seine, for a refreshing halt on the banks of the Seine.
For more useful information, click here.
Invent your own fable in Champagne
Head to Château-Thierry and its multitude of cultural, natural and gastronomic activities! Located in the department of the Aisne (02), this medieval town is easily accessible by the A4 highway and by train. Amateurs of memorial tourism will discover the many historic sites rooted in the Marne valley, a reminder that the city witnessed some of the battles of World War I. Dominated by the Chateau de Thierry, an architectural gem, the city can also boast about being the birth place of Jean de la Fontaine, the famous fabulist whose house has of course been turned into a museum. Between vineyards and hillsides, the city is set on the Champagne tourist route, so don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a few bubbles* of the precious and locally made beverage!
For further information, visit this page
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, so drink in moderation.