The 2024 Olympic Games took place in Paris from July 26 to August 11. After the event closed, there are still plenty of tourists in the French capital ready to discover new sites. Here are a few must-see destinations to extend the fun outside Paris.
The 2024 Olympic Games took place in Paris from July 26 to August 11. After the event closed, there are still plenty of tourists in the French capital ready to discover new sites. Here are a few must-see destinations to extend the fun outside Paris.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this town in the Seine-et-Marne is an ideal destination for escaping the hustle and bustle of Paris. Just an hour's drive from the capital, Fontainebleau offers an enchanting blend of history, culture and nature.
The sumptuous Château de Fontainebleau, one of the largest and oldest royal castles in France, stands majestically in the heart of the town. As the cultural travel agency Intermèdes points out, the city is also surrounded by a marvellous state forest. Recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and awarded the Forêt d'Exception label, this vast 22,000-hectare expanse is a paradise for nature lovers.
A visit to the building, with commentary by an Intermèdes guide who knows the area inside out, can make the experience even more immersive. Hiking trails wind through varied landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the forest and its iconic rock formations, prized by climbers the world over.
In keeping with the theme of “reconnecting with nature”, less than 1 hour from Fontainebleau, you can stay in a cabin on the water with private spa. A rejuvenating weekend guaranteed!
For fans of astronomy and aeronautics, this is the ideal destination after the entertainment provided by the Olympics.
Located an hour from Paris, in the town of Bourget, it offers exceptional space exploration. Tourists can enjoy a guided tour of the site. It can last two hours or a whole day, depending on the participants' wishes.
It's the perfect opportunity to see a 50s control tower and climb aboard historic aircraft such as the Boeing, Concorde and Dakota. It's even possible to enjoy immersive flight simulator experiences in complete safety. The museum's Planetarium, meanwhile, is another must-see stop-off, providing an exploration of space and the stars.
The museum's vast collection of aircraft, spacecraft, and artifacts is simply astounding, offering a thrilling journey through the history of flight. Visitor notice / July 2023
Approximately 32 kilometers east of Paris, in the heart of Marne-la-Vallée, Disneyland Paris presents itself as an oasis of magic and adventure. Although often associated with Paris due to its proximity, this iconic park is located outside the capital, offering an enchanted yet easily accessible getaway.
It's a world unto itself, divided into themed zones that invite exploration and wonder.
Visitors can lose themselves in the fantastical worlds of Fantasyland and relive the era of the Western Conquest in Frontierland. They can also immerse themselves in space with “Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain” at Discoveryland. The park offers a multitude of attractions for all ages.
Younger visitors will appreciate classics such as “It's a Small World” and “Lancelot's Carousel”. Thrill-seekers will prefer more intense rides like “Big Thunder Mountain” or “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril”.
Three good reasons, among many others, to extend your stay in Ile-de-France after these memorable 2024 Summer Olympics.
Valérie from Comme des Français
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