Paris is part of the world-famous French École des Beaux Arts’ group of universities, including ones in Florence, Rome, and Madrid. The city’s most famous attraction is undoubtedly the Louvre Museum and its famous glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei. Many art enthusiasts flock through the streets near Notre Dame Cathedral to see works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci and Monet. However, there are plenty of other attractions to explore in and around the city, many free or affordable. Here are 15 day-trips that you can take in Paris that won’t drain your wallet:
1. Going to the Butterfly Houses
If you have a thing for nature, check out the three butterfly houses in Paris. The Lariboisière Park butterfly house is near the zoo and attracts more than 100 million butterflies during its summer season. You can also visit the Jardin des Serres de Beaujolais in western Paris and the Jardin de L’Enfant in central Paris, both of which have more than 8,000 varieties of butterflies.
2. Seeing History at forts found throughout the city
War is a part-and-parcel of living in a city that dates back to antiquity, and Fort Trocadero is just one of many forts located all around the city. When you go to see it, you’ll also see the last pieces of the Mont Valerien fort and an archaeological dig.
3. Moselle River Valley
The Moselle River Valley, located in the northeast of France, is perfect for spending your weekend. The area is rich in culture and History, but mostly it’s known for its ski resorts and mountain hiking trails. If you want to learn more about wine, you might attend one of the many wine conferences held throughout the year.
4. Going to a Boulangerie
A trip to a Paris boulangerie is one of the best ways to spend some time out of the city. These small bakeries employ traditional methods that date back centuries, and you can get your hands on some amazing loaves of bread and pastries here.
5. Visiting a Mediaeval Castle
You’ll have to go up north to see castles in France, but there are plenty of others in Paris that you can see on your day trip. For example, Château de Chinon is located in the Loire Valley and is believed to be the oldest castle in France. The Trocadero Round Tower, also known as Notre-Dame-du-Trocadéro, is a good place to visit while you’re in town.
6. Going to the Museum of Decorative Arts
As you might have guessed, there’s a museum for everything in the world’s most visited city. The Museum of Decorative Arts is a good example, and it’s located in the 7th arrondissement.
7. Visiting Paris’ most beautiful street, rue de Rivoli
Walking around the streets of Paris is one of the best ways to get to know more about each arrondissement, and Rue de Rivoli is one of the most beautiful in the city. The street stretches from Place de la Concorde to Place Vendôme, and you’re bound to find plenty of cute cafés and shops.
8. Going to the markets
There are plenty of farmers’ markets and other weekend market events around France, but Paris also has its fairs and markets. Check out these weekly events to see what’s in store: Marché Bastille – Marché de la Poissonnerie – Marché Saint-Germain – Marché aux Fleurs – Forêt de Reuilly.
9. Visiting the banks of La Seine
Much like the Moselle River Valley, the Ile-de-France region is perfect for a romantic trip, and you’ll have plenty of things to do when you’re out there. Many couples head to take the River Seine Tour and other cities in this part of France for an unforgettable weekend away.
10. Seeing the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is a symbol of Paris, and seeing it up close is one of the best things you can do while in town. It’s located on the Champs-Élysées, and you can see it at its best between 11 am and 5:30 pm every day except Monday.
11. Visiting the Eiffel Tower
Few structures in the world are as recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, and if you want to see it, there are plenty of places where you can do that. For example, from Avenue des Champs-Élysées you can see the whole tower while it’s lit up at night.
12. Going to a park on a sunny day
Paris is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world, and even though they’re beautiful, they’re also pretty famous. For example, you can visit the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg while in Paris and take some beautiful pictures.
13. Seeing the Louvre at night
Visiting the Louvre is one of the most popular things that Parisian tourists do. This is a good thing because it allows you to see some of the world’s most famous art pieces at night and gives you an insight into what other visitors think about them. You can take a Louvre Museum Tour to experience all of this.
14. Visiting the Sacré-Coeur
The Sacré-Coeur is one of the most famous churches in Paris, and seeing it in real life is one of the best things you can do while you’re here. You can also visit it at night and on weekends and holidays.
15. Visiting Mont Saint-Michel
Paris was one of the first cities to get a university, but there are still many places where you can get an education in Paris itself. For example, there’s the ENSPSM, a school that offers over 200 courses in both French and English. You can also attend high school classes away from the city, like in Anjou or Ile-de-France.
The list above is only a short compilation of some of Paris’ best things to do, but it’s far from exhausting. You can make your list using the suggestions above and check out the city’s website, TripAdvisor forums, or Yelp. And if you want to know more about France’s popular travel destinations.
Paris is a beautiful place, and it’s even more impressive when you see it with your own eyes.
Ref: https://www.londontime.co/15-best-day-trips-to-visit-in-paris-france/