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, ...
popular bistro
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