7 Places Parisians Go To Escape Paris
If you’ve already checked off the big names like Versailles or Giverny, or you’re looking for a different kind of day trip from Paris, these are the places locals really go.
They’re noy trendy or famous, but they’re easy to reach, low stress, and feel like a genuine break. For travelers, they offer a slower, more grounded view of France without having to venture far.
1. Forêt de Fontainebleau
This is where Parisians go when they want trees rather than tours. The forest is 40 minutes from Gare de Lyon and stretches across 25,000 hectares of trails, rocky paths, and climbing spots.
It’s one of the few places near Paris that feels truly wild. If you’ve had your fill of monuments and want a full reset, a few hours here will do it.
You can pair it with the town of Fontainebleau if you want a café or quick château peek.
2. Chantilly
A 25-minute train ride from Gare du Nord drops you into a different world. Chantilly has a grand château, elegant gardens, and one of the best horse museums anywhere.
Beyond sightseeing, locals come for the green space, the slow lunches, and the calm. For travelers, it’s an easy-to-plan outing that feels rich without being crowded.
3. Sceaux
On the RER B, Parc de Sceaux is a go-to for Paris families, joggers, and students. The park has canals, lawns, orchards, and a château-turned-museum.
None of it feels designed to impress tourists. It’s the kind of place where you bring a sandwich and stay for three hours without looking at your watch. Travelers looking for a break from busy streets will appreciate how unpolished and real it feels.
4. Auvers-sur-Oise
This small town north of Paris is where Van Gogh painted his final works. But it hasn’t turned itself into a tourist circus. You can visit his room, walk the same trails he did, and recognize scenes from his paintings without needing a guidebook.
Trains run on weekends and some weekdays from Gare Saint-Lazare or Gare du Nord. For travelers interested in art, it’s one of the most moving, accessible day trips you can take.
5. Provins
A preserved, UNESCO-listed medieval town with towers, ramparts, and steep stone alleys. About 90 minutes by train from Gare de l’Est. It gets some weekend traffic, especially during festivals, but most of the time it’s quiet.
The town layout is intact and easy to explore without planning. If you’re interested in history or architecture and want something older and grittier than a château, Provins is a great choice. Come for the ramparts, underground tunnels, and falconry shows.
6. Moret-sur-Loing
A smaller, quieter option near Fontainebleau that barely shows up in guidebooks. Trains from Gare de Lyon take just under an hour.
It sits along the Loing river, with stone bridges and leafy paths that feel almost English in mood. Alfred Sisley painted here, and the town has kept that soft, impressionist look.
It’s a good match if you’re looking for nature, French scenery, and no lines.
7. La Roche-Guyon
This is the one Parisians drive to when they want beauty without the buzz. The village hugs the Seine and climbs up the cliffside to a château partially carved into rock. Below it, there’s a massive kitchen garden, and above, panoramic paths.
It’s not easy by public transport, so it only works if you’ve rented a car. But if you do, it’s one of the most visually striking villages near Paris. You can pair it with Giverny in a single day.
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Cover photo: Jean-Pol Grandmont (CC BY 4.0)