Fontainebleau
Just a short journey from Paris, Fontainebleau offers the perfect blend of history, nature, and gastronomy. While the magnificent château is the highlight, the elegant gardens, charming town, and surrounding forest make it a wonderful destination to explore at a leisurely pace. Visit the local market on Tuesday, Friday, or Sunday mornings, and be sure to discover the town’s culinary speciality: its fresh whipped cream cheese, a unique taste of Fontainebleau’s gastronomic heritage.
Moret-sur-Loing
Moret-sur-Loing
Further along the Loing River, Moret-sur-Loing offers a beautiful mix of medieval charm, riverside scenery, and artistic history. Follow in the footsteps of painter Sisley along the town’s walking route, explore its historic streets, and sample its famous sucre d’orge de Moret, a traditional barley sugar made here since the seventeenth century. The Sunday market is the perfect opportunity to discover local produce and seasonal specialities.
Barbizon
Barbizon, nestled on the edge of Fontainebleau Forest, is a charming village celebrated for its connection to the Impressionist painters. Discover its artistic heritage through the Musée Départemental des Peintres de Barbizon, the historic Auberge Ganne, and the Circuit des Peintres, before enjoying a peaceful walk through the surrounding forest.
Giverny
Giverny is one of the most beautiful art-and-garden escapes from Paris, best known as the home of Claude Monet. Explore the enchanting Clos Normand and water garden, which inspired many of his most famous paintings. September is an ideal time to visit, with the gardens still in bloom and the surrounding countryside offering a taste of Normandy’s charm, including its renowned local apple cider.
La Roche-Guyon
Set along the banks of the Seine, La Roche-Guyon is known for its dramatic landscape and unique château built into the hillside. The village’s peaceful setting, historic architecture, and views over the river make it a wonderful place to explore.
Giverny
Auvers-sur-Oise
Auvers-sur-Oise is a must-visit destination for art lovers, closely connected to Vincent van Gogh, who spent his final weeks here. Follow the village walking trail, visit the church featured in his work, and enjoy the charming atmosphere and local cuisine that continue to make this village a memorable stop.
Bougival
Bougival has long been a place of warmth and creativity, where musicians, writers and artists were drawn to the Seine, the light and the easy pace of life. In the Belle Époque, it became a favourite riverside escape, with regattas and lively gatherings bringing Parisians to the water. The main street and quays still give the town its charm, lined with artisan shops, restaurants and views over the river.
Foire de Chatou
Chatou is famous for the Foire de Chatou, one of France’s largest antiques fairs. Running from 25 September to 4 October, it brings together hundreds of antique dealers selling everything from vintage furniture and jewellery to ceramics, paintings, and unique treasures. Alongside the antiques, a wide range of food stalls serves regional specialities, including Corsican charcuterie, Lyonnais sausages, Savoy cheeses, moules-frites, and delicious French wines! Find out more here.
Épernay
Épernay is at its best in September, when the grape harvest begins and the surrounding vineyards are alive with activity. With frequent train connections from Paris and a location at the heart of the Champagne region, it makes an ideal day trip for cellar tours, Champagne tastings, and a stroll along the renowned Avenue de Champagne.
Provins
Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval town, was once one of the great merchant centres of the Champagne fairs. Its well-preserved towers, ramparts, and winding medieval streets bring its rich history to life. The town is also known for its distinctive rose-based delicacies, with Provins rose honey, rose preserves, and traditional rose sweets among its most celebrated local specialties.
Châteaudun
The Château de Châteaudun sits above the town and opens onto views across the Loire Valley. After visiting its grand halls, chapel and gardens, wander the old streets below, where independent boutiques, bakeries and cafés give the town its charm. If you are there on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, the market will be rich in local produce. Look for local delicacies like Sablés de Beauce, shortbread biscuits from the Beauce, and berlingots au miel, honey sweets, which make the perfect souvenirs.
Chantilly
Chantilly is one of the most rewarding day trips on the list, combining a magnificent château, an outstanding art collection, and extensive parkland. The Château de Chantilly, the Musée Condé, and the Grandes Écuries are the main attractions, while the landscaped grounds make it easy to spend a full day exploring. The town is also famous as the birthplace of crème Chantilly, the sweet whipped cream that has become one of France’s best-known culinary specialities.
Senlis
Senlis has a compact medieval centre that is easy to explore on foot. Its cathedral, narrow cobbled streets, stone houses, and ancient city walls create a wonderfully historic atmosphere. The surrounding Oise region is known for traditional dishes such as ficelle picarde, a savoury crêpe filled with ham and mushrooms, flamiche aux poireaux, a leek tart, and gâteau battu, a rich, buttery cake.
Chantilly
Sancerre
Sancerre is a wonderful choice for a wine-focused day trip, combining outstanding vineyards with excellent regional food. The hilltop town is closely connected to its surrounding wine country, with the Maison des Sancerre providing an ideal introduction before visiting nearby producers for tastings. The region is also famous for Crottin de Chavignol, a small goat's cheese made from raw goat's milk in the nearby village of Chavignol and protected by its AOC designation.
September is an ideal time to discover the rich heritage and culinary traditions that shape the regions surrounding Paris. From medieval streets and grand châteaux to celebrated vineyards and local markets, each destination offers its own story, shaped by centuries of remarkable heritage, craftsmanship and cuisine. It is a season to savour the authentic charm of the area, while enjoying the final days of summer!
