National GeographicJun 25, 2025
These 3 cities near Paris deserve more than a day trip
If they weren’t eclipsed by the City of Light, Versailles, Chantilly, and Fontainebleau would be pilgrimages in their own right. Here’s why they’re worth an overnight stay. Chantilly, Fontainebleau, ...
23 things in this story
- Chateau de ChantillyAttractionrestored Renaissance masterpiece with gardens
- Condé MuseumMuseumon-site museum with painting masterpieces
- The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of BerryPlace15th-century prayerbook known as the "Mona Lisa of manuscripts"
- Le Hameau restaurantRestaurantserves crème Chantilly in thatched-roof cottages
- l'Atelier de la ChantillyRestauranttastes riffs on classic whipped cream
- HippodromeSight19th-century racecourse hosts close to 200 annual races
- Great StablesSight18th-century structure superior to palaces of several kings
- Living Museum of the HorseMuseuminside the Great Stables
- InterContinental ChantillyHotelsix miles away with contemporary decor
- Elsewhere
- LouvreMuseumParis, FranceFrance’s most important antique art museum
- Chateau of VersaillesSightVersailles, Francemind-blowing in its grandeur
- Chateau of FontainebleauSightFontainebleau, Francecoddled eight centuries’ worth of French monarchs
- Marché Notre-DameMarketVersailles, Franceone of the region’s finest food markets
- La Boutique RoyaleSightVersailles, Francesells Toile de Jouy fabrics, tableware, and goodies
- OsmothèqueMuseumVersailles, Franceworld's largest fragrance archive
- Quartier Saint-LouisNeighborhoodVersailles, Francehistoric district to explore
- King’s Kitchen GardenSightVersailles, Francecreated in 1683 to supply the king's table
- OreRestaurantVersailles, FranceAlain Ducasse's eatery in the Pavillon Dufour
- La Petite VeniseRestaurantVersailles, Franceeatery on the Grand Canal
- La Table du 11RestaurantVersailles, Francestandout dining option
- Bistro du 11RestaurantVersailles, Franceby Michelin-starred chef Jean-Baptiste Lavergne-Morazzani
- Xavier PinceminRestaurantVersailles, Francerestaurant overseen by French Top Chef winner
- LafayetteRestaurantVersailles, Francepopular bistro