By
Bryan Pirolli, Travel+Leisure
Aleady done Versailles and Monet's Gardens? Then look into these five excursions about an hour from the City of Light.
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Taking a day trip from Paris
is as easy as hopping a train in any direction. If you've already
visited Versailles or Monet's gardens at Giverny, consider these
less-traveled castles, medieval towns, affordable Michelin dining, and
stunning cathedrals. Here are our top five picks, just around an hour
away from Paris.
Chantilly
Head north of Paris, taking the train from Gare du Nord, to get to Chantilly.
The town's chateau dates to the Middle Ages, even though the present
structure was mostly the result of 19th century construction by the son
of France's last king.
The chateau houses France's
largest collection of Renaissance paintings after the Louvre, though in a
much more intimate setting. The outdoor 18th century hamlet is the spot
to get a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream—called, appropriately,
Chantilly—when the weather permits. The most striking feature of the
chateau, however, is actually the stable, which many mistake for the
castle. It contains the Horse Museum and also sports an arena for
dressage demonstrations featuring well-trained ponies, dogs, and horses.
One of the best ways to discover the area is to take a bike tour. Consider booking a personalized one with French Mystique to explore the domain more thoroughly.
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Chartres
A short train ride from Gare Montparnasse leads to the tiny town of Chartres, known for its UNESCO listed cathedral.
Begun in the 12th century, the church continues to be a site for
pilgrims, with its mismatched spires and largely original stained glass
windows adding to its unique appearance. Ask about any English-speaking
tours at the gift shop inside the cathedral before wandering on your
own. And if possible, visit between April and October, when the light
show illuminates the cathedral each night.
The main focus of Chartres is
the gothic cathedral, but there is also an art museum within the former
bishop's residence, as well as the Maison Picasiette, an early 20th
century house covered in glass mosaics. The streets around the cathedral
host small shops and bakeries selling local specialties like the
Cochelin, a chocolate-filled pastry in the shape of a man.
Despite its tiny size, Chartres
also can be a culinary destination. The Grand Monarque Hotel, dating to
the 17th century, is home to Chez Georges, another Michelin-starred
restaurant that's worth the trek. The discovery menu, at just $87, is
driven by seasonal market produce, while the exhaustive wine list
features more than 2,000 bottles. Your best bet? Ask the waiter for a
suggestion.
Lille
Take the train from Gare du Nord to the town of Lille,
an under-appreciated industrial part of France that contrasts nicely
from Paris—at least for a day. With its distinctive Flemish influences
in the architecture and with numerous beers on tap at each bar, Lille
feels more Belgian than French. Stroll the Grand Place before heading to
the tangle of streets north of the train station, called Vieux Lille.
The local institution is Meert, a confectionery shop that sells pricey yet delicious gauffres,
flavored cream sandwiched between paper-thin waffles. For lunch, don't
expect anything light and dainty. Head to A Taaable for a welsch, bread covered in ham and melted cheese served with a massive bowl of fries. Wash it all down with a local or seasonal beer.
Afterwards, grab a coffee at Tamper! Espresso Bar,
proof that the hipster-driven Paris coffee scene isn't alone in France.
If words on the menu like "siphon" and "Hario V60" don't mean anything
to you, then just keep it simple and order a filtered coffee. The
caffeine will fuel a few more hours of wandering the shops and boutiques
of Vieux Lille before heading back to Paris.
[post_ads_2]Orleans
Take the train from Gare
d'Austerlitz and arrive in the tiny city of Orleans in just over an
hour. Just south of Paris, the city was a home and battleground for
France's most famous leading lady, Joan of Arc. She led the French army
to victory over occupying English forces in 1429.
In Orleans, visit a
reconstruction of her house before strolling the medieval streets and
stunning cathedral where Joan herself would have prayed. The stained
glass windows inside retrace her life. Nearby, enter the 16th century
Hotel Groslot, which once housed royalty like Catherine de Medici, and
today hosts local weddings.
While sightseeing options and museums are limited, consider spending a few hours overlooking the Loire River while dining at Le Lièvre Gourmand.
This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a culinary adventure led by
head chef Tristan Robreau. The seven course tasting menu, with dessert
and cheese, only costs $80—a steal compared with anything similar in
Paris. It's worth the day trip just to experience whatever Chef Robreau
has to offer.
[post_ads_2]Rouen
From Gare Saint Lazare, most
people will take the train and get off to go to Monet's Gardens at the
station called Vernon. Instead, stay in your seat and continue on to
Rouen. This medieval town, the capital of Normandy, is another spot
associated with Joan of Arc: it's where she was burned to death.
Wander the streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses for a taste of medieval France, when the astrological clock, or gros horloge,
was one of the town's claims to fame. The iconic cathedral is
immortalized in a series of paintings by Claude Monet, some of which are
on display back in Paris at the Musée d'Orsay. With botanical gardens,
museums, and countless other churches to explore, be sure to plan some
time to experience local cuisine.
For dining, La Couronne
is a local institution since 1345, serving up gourmet French fare. For a
more relaxed meal, head across the Place du Vieux Marché (where Joan
was burned) and pop into the Poissonnerie des Halles for fresh seafood.
