What Are the Best Day Trips You Can Do with the Paris Museum Pass?
The pass covers several superb day trips beyond central Paris — Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chantilly, the Château de Vincennes, the Basilica of Saint-Denis and the Château d’Écouen. Entry is included; the train is separate. Here’s a rundown to help you choose the right day trip for your interests.
Versailles — the grand classic
The most famous day trip, Versailles offers the opulent Palace, the Hall of Mirrors, vast gardens and the Trianon estate. It’s covered by the pass (the Palace needs a free reservation), reached by RER C, and deserves most of a day. Closed Mondays. The grandest choice, but also the busiest.
Fontainebleau — a quieter royal palace
Fontainebleau is a magnificent, lived-in royal château with centuries of history and beautiful grounds, far less crowded than Versailles. Covered by the pass and reached by train, it’s a wonderful choice for those who want grandeur without the crush. Typically closed Tuesdays.
Chantilly — château and art
Chantilly pairs a fairy-tale château with the Musée Condé, one of France’s great art collections, plus grand stables and gardens. On the pass and reachable by train, it’s a rich day out for art and architecture lovers. Check current opening, as it can close on certain days.
Vincennes — the easy option
The Château de Vincennes, a medieval royal fortress with a striking keep, is the closest and easiest “day trip” — reachable directly by métro on the edge of the city. Covered by the pass, it’s ideal when you want a castle without a long journey, and pairs well with the Bois de Vincennes.
Saint-Denis — the royal necropolis
The Basilica of Saint-Denis, just north of Paris by métro, is the burial place of French kings and a masterpiece of early Gothic architecture. Covered by the pass, it’s a moving, history-rich half-day, and one of the most accessible trips on this list.
Écouen — Renaissance treasures
The Château d’Écouen, home to the National Museum of the Renaissance, offers superb tapestries and decorative arts in a hilltop château north of the city. Covered by the pass and reached by train, it’s a peaceful, uncrowded choice for lovers of the period. Typically closed Tuesdays.
How to choose
- Grandeur: Versailles.
- Grandeur, fewer crowds: Fontainebleau.
- Château plus art: Chantilly.
- Quick and easy: Vincennes.
- Gothic history: Saint-Denis.
- Renaissance: Écouen.
Practical tips for any day trip
The pass covers entry but not the train, so budget the fare and check current routes and times. Only Versailles needs a reservation; the others generally let you scan your pass. Mind the closing days, allow most of a day including travel, and don’t stack two long trips back-to-back.
Build day trips into a longer pass
Day trips eat most of a day, so they suit a 4 or 6-day pass with city days on either side. If you want more than one — say Versailles and Fontainebleau — space them out rather than running two long journeys back-to-back, and use the quieter châteaux like Écouen or Vincennes as relaxed alternatives to the Versailles crowds. The pass turns these excursions into some of the best value of your whole trip.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for day trips
To explore the great châteaux and basilicas around Paris without separate entry tickets, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance, reserve a Versailles slot if needed, and book your trains separately. Secure your pass and pick the day trip that suits you.
Frequently asked questions
What day trips does the pass cover?
Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chantilly, Vincennes, Saint-Denis and Écouen, among others.
Which is the grandest?
Versailles — but also the busiest.
Which is easiest to reach?
Vincennes and Saint-Denis, both on the métro.
Does the pass cover the train?
No — buy train tickets separately.
Which needs a reservation?
Versailles (the Palace); the others generally don’t.
Can I do two in a day?
Better not — each is most of a day with travel.