Versailles is the easy one: the RER C takes about 40 minutes from central Paris. Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire castles are long days, by an early train or on a tour. Mappu has a free audio guide with a map for the Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, and the châteaux of Chenonceau and Chambord.
Louis XIV’s palace: the Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments and the formal gardens, with the Trianon palaces and the Queen’s Hamlet across the park.
A tidal island off the coast of Normandy, crowned by a medieval abbey, with a village of steep lanes below its walls.
Two of the Loire castles: Chenonceau spans the river Cher on its arches, and Chambord, built for Francis I, has its double-spiral staircase.
Check opening hours and tickets on the official sites before you go:
From Mappu’s partners, if you would rather have a guide. The free audio guides above work without them.
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Yes, and it is the easiest one: about 40 minutes on the RER C. The palace and the gardens fill most of a day; the palace is closed on Mondays.
Yes, but it is a long day: about 3 hours each way by train and coach. A coach tour from Paris takes about as long and saves the connections.
Travel times are typical timetable times from the rail operator; check the day’s timetable. The facts about each site come from Mappu’s guides and the sites’ official websites. SNCF Connect. Last checked on .
