13 day trips from Paris with a Navigo pass: to explore further than the City of Light

Imagine you’re on holiday in the dazzling City of Light but you hear about other types of wonders in the area. What about another sort of insight into the French culture and landscapes? Here are 13 ideas of day trips from Paris with a Navigo pass.

What’s a Navigo pass? It is the rechargeable pass for Île-de-France public transport. If you’re not familiar to the system, our guide to getting around Paris explains how it works.

1- Visiting Rambouillet

Rambouillet, 50 km from Paris, is a charming town with lots to do for the whole family. You can visit museums, such as the Rambolitrain museum with its collection of toy trains, or relax at the Espace Rambouillet, a forest park with lots of wild animals. The Bergerie Nationale (national sheepfold) offers a farm experience and many activities for children. The Château de Rambouillet, a presidential residence, is an unmissable historic site. You can book your entry online here, from €11.

For nature lovers, the Étangs de Hollande (Holland ponds) and the Rambouillet forest are perfect for walks and outdoor activities. Other sites to visit include the Rambouillet racecourse, the Palais du Roi de Rome and the Maison Elsa Triolet-Aragon. The “La Lanterne” cultural centre puts on shows and exhibitions.

🚉 Getting to Rambouillet with your Navigo pass is easy, via Transilien line N or the TER Centre-Val de Loire from Paris Montparnasse.

Kid-friendly address: sleep in a traditional caravan (roulotte) at Huttopia! Info and booking here.

2- The Forest of Fontainebleau

Forest of Fontainebleau covers around 22,000 hectares, enough to fill a whole day out with the family. It begins right at the gates of the château, so you can easily combine a cultural visit with some fresh air. For a walk with young children, the tourist office recommends a 2.5 km loop, taking about 1 hour 15 minutes, dotted with rocks that are perfect for kids looking to climb.

The bravest can climb the Denecourt Tower, which offers a 360° view over the forest. The massif is also renowned for climbing, and introductory sessions are available, an activity worth trying as a family. As for animals, you can book a guided horseback ride with one of the riding centres on the edge of the forest, a guided walk with donkeys with the Avon’ânes association, or a visit following animal tracks with a specialist in the forest’s wildlife.

🚉 To get to the Forest of Fontainebleau by train, you can take line R from Gare de Lyon and get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station. At weekends, the Transilien trains stop right in the forest, at the “Forêt de Fontainebleau” stop, between Bois-le-Roi and Fontainebleau-Avon. A connection known to those in the know.

For a “château life” experience, take a look at the Hôtel Victoria!

3- The Forest of Dourdan

The Forest of Dourdan is a magnificent wooded area of about 1,500 hectares in the Essonne département. It’s an ideal place for nature lovers and hiking fans. The forest offers a great diversity of landscapes, with majestic oaks, beeches and Scots pines, and rich wildlife including deer, wild boar and a variety of birds. Here are the activities you can do as a family:

• Hiking and walking: the forest is crossed by many marked trails, perfect for hikes on foot, by bike or even on horseback.
• Wildlife and plant watching: visitors can discover rich, varied biodiversity.
• Picnic areas: equipped areas are available for relaxing breaks in the middle of nature.
• Historical heritage: the forest holds historic remains, such as old hunting lodges.

🚉 To get to the Forest of Dourdan by train from Paris, take RER C towards Dourdan-la-Forêt and get off at Dourdan station.

4- The Forest of Saint-Arnoult

The Forest of Saint-Arnoult, about 50 km south-west of Paris, is a haven of peace for families looking for nature and tranquillity. It offers a variety of activities for all ages, including hiking, picnics, wildlife and plant watching, cycling and treetop adventure courses.

Hiking is one of the forest’s highlights, with several family-friendly trails:

• The Sentier des Étangs (Ponds Trail), about 3 km, is an easy walk that lets you discover several picturesque ponds, ideal for young children.
• The Circuit de la Clairière (Clearing Circuit), 5 km long, crosses clearings and wooded areas and is accessible to all-terrain strollers, with shaded rest areas.
• The Boucle du Petit Chêne (Little Oak Loop), a 4 km circuit, is perfect for a half-day walk and is dotted with educational signs explaining the local flora.
• For families with older children, the 7 km Sentier Découverte (Discovery Trail) offers an immersive experience in the heart of the forest, with a treasure hunt for the kids.

Cycling fans will enjoy the cycle paths that cross the forest. For a dose of adrenaline, treetop adventure courses suited to all ages are also available.

🚉To get to the Forest of Saint-Arnoult from Paris with your Navigo pass, take the train from Gare Montparnasse. Take the Transilien line N to Rambouillet, then continue by bus (or taxi) to Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines. Local bus lines link Rambouillet to Saint-Arnoult.

5- Visiting the Château de Versailles

The Château de Versailles is the emblematic monument of the French monarchy, built under Louis XIV. It stands out for its sumptuous architecture, its French-style gardens and famous rooms such as the Hall of Mirrors. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a fascinating immersion in French history and culture. For children, Versailles is a captivating place where they can explore the vast gardens, take part in educational workshops and discover royal stories in a fun, interactive way. If you haven’t been yet, it’s time to think about it!

To plan your arrival, we recommend you book your tickets online here. The Passport ticket (château, Trianon estate and gardens) costs €29 in low season and €32 in high season for EEA residents (3€ more for visitors from other countries).

🚉The Château de Versailles is easy to reach by train from Paris, and you can use the Navigo pass for the journey. From Paris by RER C: take RER line C towards Versailles-Château Rive Gauche. The departure station can be Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides or Pont de l’Alma, among others. The journey takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

6- The Rochefort forest and the Bonnelles ponds

The Rochefort forest and the Bonnelles ponds are ideal destinations for a weekend escape. The forest offers hikes on marked trails, perfect for all levels, and chances to watch wildlife such as deers and birds. Picnic areas are also available for an outdoor lunch break. The Bonnelles ponds are known for fishing and quiet walks around the water, letting you admire the diversity of birds and aquatic plants.

🚉3: take RER B to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, then bus 39.17 to Rochefort-en-Yvelines for the forest, and carry on to Bonnelles Église for the ponds.

Nature address: sleep in a tiny house in the heart of the forest! Find out more here.

7- The Château de Vincennes

The Château de Vincennes, on the east side of Paris, is an impressive medieval fortress built under Charles V in the 14th century. With its imposing towers and sturdy ramparts, it was both a royal residence and a crucial defensive bastion for the French capital. Among its treasures, the Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes, a superb Gothic chapel, served as a place of worship and housed precious relics. Easily reached with the Navigo pass, the château offers a fascinating dive into French history, with a panoramic view from its keep and a story spanning centuries of royalty, conflict and daily life within its history-laden walls.

You can book your tickets online here before you leave Paris, from €13. Free for under-18s.

🚉To get to the Château de Vincennes: take metro line 1 to the “Château de Vincennes” station, or use one of the several bus lines that also serve it. It’s an ideal place for a family visit, where children can explore the towers and ramparts and discover the history of kings and knights.

8- The Château de Monte-Cristo

The Château de Monte-Cristo, in Port-Marly in the Yvelines, is an elegant residence built by the French writer Alexandre Dumas in the 19th century. Inspired by Dumas’s travels and literary works, the château combines different architectural styles and is surrounded by a magnificent landscaped park. It was a place where the writer found inspiration and peace, far from the bustle of Paris.

Today, you can visit the château to discover its richly decorated interior, its libraries full of old books and its carefully tended gardens, which invite a stroll. The Château de Monte-Cristo gives a unique glimpse into the life and creative mind of Alexandre Dumas. Get your tickets on site: 9€ per adult, 7€ from 8 to 24, free for under-8s. More information here.

🚉To get to the Château de Monte-Cristo by bus, take bus line 1 “Les Arcades – Gare de Saint-Cyr” from Saint-Cyr-l’École station. Get off at the “Port-Marly – Grands Jardins” stop, close to the château.

9- The Val-de-Seine leisure island

10- Auvers-sur-Oise

Auvers-sur-Oise, 30 kilometres north-west of Paris, is a village famous for its link with Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, notably Vincent van Gogh. While you’re there you can explore his house and studio, see reproductions of his famous paintings, and visit his grave in the local cemetery.

For children, the church of Notre-Dame d’Auvers has fascinating architecture and often features in Van Gogh’s works. It’s the moment to introduce them to his art. The Château d’Auvers offers an immersive experience with interactive exhibitions on 19th-century history and art, ideal for a family visit.

🚉To get to Auvers-sur-Oise from Paris, take a direct train from Gare du Nord. Journeys take about 35 to 40 minutes, which makes it an easy day trip from the capital.

11- Parc de Sceaux

The Parc de Sceaux, in Sceaux, south of Paris, is an oasis of greenery and history that’s easy to reach from the capital. Designed by André Le Nôtre, the park has beautifully kept French-style gardens, perfect for family walks. Children will enjoy the vast lawns for playing and picnicking, as well as the playgrounds. The Château de Sceaux, in the heart of the park, houses the Musée de l’Île-de-France, with interesting exhibitions on local history.

The park regularly holds cultural events such as concerts and festivals, adding a lively touch to its serene atmosphere.

🚉To get to the Parc de Sceaux, take the RER line B from Paris (about 20 to 30 minutes from the centre).

12- The Albert-Kahn gardens

The Albert-Kahn gardens are a unique place to discover in Boulogne-Billancourt, west of Paris. This botanical garden, created by the philanthropist and banker Albert Kahn in the early 20th century, offers a peaceful and educational experience.

You’ll find several themed gardens inspired by cultures from around the world, including a Japanese garden and an English garden, each with its own landscapes and atmosphere. The Japanese garden, in particular, is renowned for its tranquillity and its design faithful to the principles of Japanese landscaping. As well as the gardens, the site houses the Albert-Kahn museum and archives, where you can explore a rich collection of photographs and historical documentary films. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful, cultural escape.

🚉To get the Albert-Kahn gardens, take the metro to Boulogne-Pont de Saint-Cloud station on line 10.

13- The beautiful Domaine de Chamarande

During a trip to the Beauce, we visited the Domaine de Chamarande, the largest public garden in the Essonne with 98 hectares. The park has a château housing the departmental archives and a contemporary art exhibition. We enjoyed a free visit of varied works, from sculptures to videos.

After a picnic, we explored the park, which combines nature and art, with works scattered across the space. The estate is calm and ideal for relaxing, and offers activities such as rowing-boat rides and slacklining. It was a great family time and we highly recommend this outing. Read our account of our visit to the Domaine de Chamarande.

🚉To get to the Domaine de Chamarande, take RER C to Chamarande station.

I hope these ideas for day trips from Paris with a Navigo pass make you want to explore a bit further than the City of Light.

♥♥♥ Emilie & Flo ♥♥♥

▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼