La Petite Venise, Versailles

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, ...

eatery on the Grand Canal

23 things in this story

Chateau of VersaillesSightmind-blowing in its grandeur
Marché Notre-DameMarketone of the region’s finest food markets
La Boutique RoyaleSightsells Toile de Jouy fabrics, tableware, and goodies
OsmothèqueMuseumworld's largest fragrance archive
Quartier Saint-LouisNeighborhoodhistoric district to explore
King’s Kitchen GardenSightcreated in 1683 to supply the king's table
OreRestaurantAlain Ducasse's eatery in the Pavillon Dufour
La Petite VeniseRestauranteatery on the Grand Canal
La Table du 11Restaurantstandout dining option
Bistro du 11Restaurantby Michelin-starred chef Jean-Baptiste Lavergne-Morazzani
Xavier PinceminRestaurantrestaurant overseen by French Top Chef winner
LafayetteRestaurantpopular bistro
Elsewhere
LouvreMuseumParis, FranceFrance’s most important antique art museum
Chateau of FontainebleauSightFontainebleau, Francecoddled eight centuries’ worth of French monarchs
Chateau de ChantillyAttractionChantilly, Francerestored Renaissance masterpiece with gardens
Condé MuseumMuseumChantilly, Franceon-site museum with painting masterpieces
The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of BerryPlaceChantilly, France15th-century prayerbook known as the "Mona Lisa of manuscripts"
Le Hameau restaurantRestaurantChantilly, Franceserves crème Chantilly in thatched-roof cottages
l'Atelier de la ChantillyRestaurantChantilly, Francetastes riffs on classic whipped cream
HippodromeSightChantilly, France19th-century racecourse hosts close to 200 annual races
Great StablesSightChantilly, France18th-century structure superior to palaces of several kings
Living Museum of the HorseMuseumChantilly, Franceinside the Great Stables
InterContinental ChantillyHotelChantilly, Francesix miles away with contemporary decor

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La Petite Venise

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These 3 cities near Paris deserve more than a day trip