What do the Palaces of Versailles, Château de Vincennes, Cité du Cinéma, Parc de Sceaux, and Disneyland Paris all have in common? These are some of the best spots to visit in the
Paris Suburbs. Most people focus on the central arrondissements and their treasure trove of historic monuments and museums. But the Paris Suburbs, beautiful neighborhoods along the outskirts of the French capital, have their exciting charms too. From grand châteaux to serene parks, they're perfect for spending quality time with family and friends, especially around summertime. These are places where you'll want to have plenty of sunshine!
The Palaces of Versailles
Let's start with what is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in the Paris Suburbs—the
Palaces of Versailles. Once the royal residence of France's former monarchs, it's become a symbol of the country's opulent and complicated past. The grandeur of the estate will take your breath away, even if you're not a history buff yourself. Escape to the famous Hall of Mirrors and get lost in all the gold and crystal. Relish in the romance of the gardens with its grand fountains and beautiful sculptures. And if you're wondering where in the suburbs the palace complex is located, it's in the Versailles district.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Disneyland Paris
France has a lot of stunning castles, palaces, and châteaux, but apart from Versailles, it's safe to say that Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Paris is the second-most famous. Disney parks are the best-known theme parks in the world and the only one in Europe is the one in Paris. Located in Marne-la-Vallée, which is only 32 kilometers (20 miles) east of Paris, Disneyland Paris is the perfect summer spot in the suburbs. It's a great place to spend time with friends and family, have all sorts of fun, and meet the characters from your favorite
Disney films. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Cité du Cinéma
Some of the best
movies set in Paris may have been made in Hollywood, but the city has its own slice of Tinsel Town in the Paris Suburbs. Cité du Cinéma is the country's main film studio complex in Saint-Denis, located north of Paris. Saint-Denis itself is a fairly famous district for those
moving to Paris but can't afford to live in the central arrondissements. It's close enough to the city center that you can live in this neighborhood and still work/study in the main districts. As for Cité du Cinéma, it's a great spot to discover the magic of French cinema and how it was always as prolific as Hollywood.
Source: Cité du Cinéma Facebook Page
Bois de Boulogne
Technically speaking, Bois de Boulogne is in the
16th arrondissement of Paris. You can even see the Eiffel Tower in some parts of the park. And because it's so big, there are several attractions you can check out within the 846-hectare green space. With that said, some parts of Bois de Boulogne already spill into Boulogne-Billancourt, the affluent western suburbs of Paris. This side of the park is a more serene and nature-centric area, almost like it's a slice of the
French countryside near the capital. From the rose-filled Jardin de Bagatelle to the Art Deco-designed Musée des Années, it's a great place to visit during summer.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Château de Maisons-Laffitte
Now, let's start with the
châteaux near Paris. Naturally, some of them are located in the Paris Suburbs. Château de Maisons-Laffitte is a great example, located in the charming commune of the same name. Built in the 17th century, it's one of the best examples of French Baroque architecture in the country. It's a quintessential aristocratic home near the capital, evoking such historic and imposing extravagance, that it's almost other-worldly. The château and its lush estate is the perfect spot to play tourist in the summertime. Enjoy the sunshine in its enchanting gardens and live out your best classic French novel fantasies.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Lionel Allorge
Château de Vincennes
Château de Vincennes is another great former royal residence along the outskirts of Paris. Located in the town of Vincennes on the eastern edge of the French capital, it's part of Bois de Vincennes, the city's biggest park. As for the château itself, it's also among the most historic in the entire country. Not only did it serve as one of the many royal residences of the former kings, but it was also a major fortress in the capital city. At the same time, Château de Vincennes is the oldest castle in France, having been built between 1361 and 1369.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Parc de Sceaux
You'll find Parc de Sceaux in Hauts-de-Seine, the northern suburb located only ten kilometers from the center of Paris. Many people know of it as the Château de Sceaux, another of the grand, former aristocratic homes near the French capital. But for most locals and tourists alike, it's the lush gardens and extended green space that steal attention. The château itself has become a must-see museum that peeks into the beautiful history of France, but the park draws you in with its well-manicured gardens, serene pond, and fascinating flora. What more could you ask for?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Pierre Dalbéra
Marne River
Much like how the Seine River sets up the
Paris Plages every summer, the Marne River by the eastern suburbs becomes a great place to cool off and have fun during the hottest time of the year. The river flows through the beautiful Haute-Marne, Marne, Seine-et-Marne, and Val-de-Marne departments of Île-de-France, offering slices of the French countryside not too far from the city center. And when you go to Marne River, you can do all sorts of exciting activities. Go kayaking, swimming, paddle-boarding, and more here. If you want, you can also snag a nice spot nearby and go camping.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Pline
Play tourist in the Paris Suburbs, specifically in some of their best summer spots! These underrated districts have their own gems, from a world-famous theme park to beautiful châteaux and even a serene river.
